ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager From $19.83/mo · Free plan 9.1 Visit RANCID
shrubbery.net
What it is
RANCID is free, open-source software that monitors network-device configurations and keeps their changes in revision control. It logs into devices, runs commands, reformats output to remove changing values that do not represent meaningful configuration differences, emails detected changes, and commits updates to version control. CVS, Subversion, and Git are listed for maintaining history. Login scripts connect through Telnet or SSH, and included looking-glass software provides device access. The maker lists support for equipment including Allied Telesis, Cisco, Juniper, Catalyst, Foundry/Brocade, Redback, ADC, Alteon, and HP Procurve, among others. RANCID is available for Linux, macOS, and self-hosted deployment; version 3.14 is identified as current. It has no GUI or web interface for configuration, although separate tools can show diffs and repositories. Setup guidance generally assumes basic Unix and tool knowledge, and versions 2.3 onward require Expect 5.40 or later.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- RANCID monitors network-device configurations, records configuration and hardware/software history in a revision control system, and emails detected differences.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Support
- The maker directs users to [email protected] and the rancid-announce and rancid-discuss mailing lists for problems, contributions, and suggestions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- License
- The published license permits redistribution and use in source and binary forms subject to its stated conditions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Access permissions
- The FAQ says RANCID needs permission to read device configurations and other data, while TACACS+ can restrict which commands its user may run.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Change alerts
- RANCID emails configuration differences to a mailing list and commits changes to a revision control system.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Collection workflow
- It logs in to devices, runs commands, reformats output to remove oscillating or incrementing data, emails differences, and commits changes to version control.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Company location
- Shrubbery Networks lists its address as 1111 NW 53rd Dr, Portland, Oregon 97210-1033, USA.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Contributed modules
- Modules for unsupported devices in the contrib directory are not supported or tested by the maker.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Current version
- The maker's page identifies version 3.14 as the current release.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Device access
- RANCID's login scripts can connect to devices using telnet or SSH.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Device support
- The maker lists support for devices including Allied Telesis, Cisco, Juniper, Catalyst, Foundry/Brocade, Redback, ADC, Alteon, and HP Procurve, plus others.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Extra device modules
- Community modules for unsupported devices are available in the contrib directory, but the maker says it does not support or maintain them.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Latest listed release
- The product page identifies version 3.14 as the current version and links to its download.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Looking glass
- RANCID includes looking-glass software that connects to devices using Telnet or SSH login scripts.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Requirements
- The product page says RANCID version 2.3 and later requires Expect version 5.40 or later.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Security and warranties
- The license provides the software 'as is' and disclaims express or implied warranties.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Setup knowledge
- The maker says the distribution's setup instructions generally require or assume basic Unix and tool knowledge.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Supported operating systems
- The site provides getting-started links for FreeBSD, Linux, OS X, and Solaris.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Version control
- The product page lists CVS, Subversion, and Git as supported systems for maintaining change history.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Web interface
- The maker says RANCID has no GUI or web interface for configuration, though separate tools can be used to view diffs and repositories.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
- Web interface limit
- The maker says RANCID has no GUI or web interface for configuration, though third-party tools can be used to view diffs and the repository.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
Plans and prices
Free Free No paid plans or usage limits stated Read 8 Oct 2026 · shrubbery.net
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free and open source
- Emails configuration differences
- Keeps CVS, Subversion, or Git history
- Connects through Telnet or SSH
- Supports listed network-device families
Limits
- No GUI or web configuration interface
- Setup assumes basic Unix knowledge
- Expect 5.40 or later required from version 2.3
- Contributed unsupported modules are not maintained
Who it suits
RANCID suits network administrators who want scheduled configuration backups, comparisons, and email change alerts. It is intended for teams comfortable with Unix-based, self-hosted tooling and revision-control systems.
Verdict
RANCID provides automated configuration collection, comparison, alerting, and revision history for supported network devices. Its command-line setup and lack of a configuration GUI make Unix and tool familiarity necessary.
Where Specifiction places it
- Network Configuration Management Software#9 of 357.9
