OpenCourser brand icon
Sign in
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course Discontinued We've found some alternatives for you:

Top Active Alternatives

SolarWinds: The Big Picture is no longer accepting new enrollments. We've matched the highest-rated active courses in this subject:

Coursera
Linux Commands & Shell Scripting
By Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani
Read Reviews → Enroll Active
Read Reviews → Enroll Active
Read Reviews → Enroll Active
Pluralsight logo

SolarWinds

The Big Picture

Jean Tunis

SolarWinds has long had a set of tools used to help manage and maintain an IT infrastructure. This course will teach you how you can use SolarWinds products and services to manage and monitor your IT resources.

Read more

SolarWinds has long had a set of tools used to help manage and maintain an IT infrastructure. This course will teach you how you can use SolarWinds products and services to manage and monitor your IT resources.

SolarWinds helps IT manage and monitor its infrastructure. In this course, SolarWinds: The Big Picture, you’ll come to understand how and where SolarWinds can fit in your organization. First, you’ll explore the various IT challenges that SolarWinds helps to overcome. Next, you’ll discover the components, scenarios, and roles you’ll need to consider for a SolarWinds deployment. Finally, you’ll learn about the many SolarWinds product offerings, along with specific use cases for them. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge of SolarWinds needed to determine whether it's a good fit for further exploration within your organization.

This course is no longer available. Find something similar by browsing:
SolarWinds IT Infrastructure Management Monitoring and Management Network Management Systems Management Database Management Security Management

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Understanding SolarWinds
Detailing IT Challenges SolarWinds Solves
Understanding SolarWinds Orion Platform Architecture
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Helps IT professionals manage and monitor IT infrastructure
Taught by instructors with expertise in the field
Provides a comprehensive overview of SolarWinds products and services
Covers a wide range of IT challenges and solutions
Offers insights into the SolarWinds Orion Platform Architecture

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Solarwinds: comprehensive high-level overview

According to learners, this course provides a solid and comprehensive overview of the SolarWinds ecosystem. Many find it highly beneficial for gaining a "Big Picture" understanding of the various products and their strategic fit within an organization. Students particularly praise the clear explanations of the Orion Platform architecture and the detailed use cases for different SolarWinds offerings, including security and ITSM tools. While it's lauded for helping IT managers and aspiring professionals determine if SolarWinds is a good fit for their needs, some experienced sysadmins note it's too basic and lacks the hands-on, in-depth technical detail required for actual deployment or configuration, serving more as a conceptual foundation.
Covers a broad range of SolarWinds products and use cases.
"The use cases for different products were highly relevant."
"It covers a lot of ground, from monitoring applications to managing networks."
"I particularly found the sections on security and ITSM products very insightful."
Content is presented clearly and easy to understand.
"The Orion Platform architecture explanation was particularly clear."
"The instructor did a great job explaining complex topics in an easy-to-understand manner."
"The instructor's delivery was clear and engaging."
Highly valuable for IT managers and decision-makers.
"It truly helped me determine if SolarWinds is a good fit for our upcoming projects."
"Definitely recommended for high-level understanding and decision-making."
"This course was invaluable... it helped me understand the scope and potential of SolarWinds without getting bogged down in technical minutiae."
Provides a high-level, conceptual understanding of SolarWinds.
"This course is exactly what the title promises: 'The Big Picture.'"
"I needed to understand the breadth of SolarWinds' capabilities and how it could integrate into our existing infrastructure."
"Fantastic resource for anyone wanting a foundational understanding of the SolarWinds ecosystem."
Not suitable for hands-on configuration or deep technical dives.
"For me, an experienced sysadmin, it felt a bit too basic."
"I was hoping for more practical examples or deeper dives into specific module configurations."
"If you're looking to actually use SolarWinds, this won't prepare you."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in SolarWinds: The Big Picture with these activities:
SolarWinds Documentation Exploration
Review SolarWinds documentation to gain in-depth knowledge of product features and best practices.
Show steps
  • Access the SolarWinds documentation website.
  • Explore the documentation for various SolarWinds products.
  • Identify relevant topics and thoroughly read the provided information.
Discussion Forum Participation
Engage with peers in online discussions to share knowledge, ask questions, and clarify concepts related to SolarWinds products.
Show steps
  • Join online discussion forums related to SolarWinds.
  • Participate in discussions by posting questions, sharing experiences, and responding to others.
  • Actively listen to others' perspectives and contribute to meaningful exchanges.
Network Monitoring Exercises
Practice monitoring network devices using SolarWinds products to enhance your troubleshooting skills.
Browse courses on Network Management
Show steps
  • Configure network monitoring tools to collect data from devices.
  • Analyze network traffic and identify performance issues.
  • Troubleshoot network connectivity and resolve problems.
Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete SolarWinds: The Big Picture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of databases. This course can help one become a Database Administrator by providing a foundation in the principles of database design, implementation, and maintenance. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of database management software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor database resources.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Network Engineer
A Network Engineer designs, configures, manages, and maintains computer networks, ensuring that they meet the organization's needs for speed and efficiency. This course can help one become a Network Engineer by providing a foundation in the principles of network design, configuration, and management. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of network management software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor network resources.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer
Systems Administrator
A Systems Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of computer systems, including hardware, software, and networks. This course can help one become a Systems Administrator by providing a foundation in the principles of systems administration, including system installation, configuration, and maintenance. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of systems management software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor system resources.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator
Information Technology Manager
An Information Technology Manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing an organization's information technology resources, including hardware, software, and networks. This course can help one become an Information Technology Manager by providing a foundation in the principles of information technology management, including strategic planning, resource allocation, and risk management. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of IT management software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor IT resources.
See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Manager
IT Security Analyst
An IT Security Analyst is responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to an organization's information technology resources, including hardware, software, and networks. This course can help one become an IT Security Analyst by providing a foundation in the principles of IT security, including risk assessment, vulnerability management, and incident response. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of IT security software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor IT security risks.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Security Analyst
IT Consultant
An IT Consultant provides advice and guidance to organizations on how to use information technology to meet their business needs. This course can help one become an IT Consultant by providing a foundation in the principles of IT consulting, including business analysis, solution design, and implementation planning. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of IT management software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor IT resources.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant
IT Project Manager
An IT Project Manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing IT projects. This course can help one become an IT Project Manager by providing a foundation in the principles of project management, including project planning, execution, and control. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of IT project management software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor IT projects.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Project Manager
Network Architect
A Network Architect designs and implements computer networks, ensuring that they meet the organization's needs for speed, efficiency, and security. This course can help one become a Network Architect by providing a foundation in the principles of network design and implementation. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of network management software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor network resources.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Architect
Systems Analyst
A Systems Analyst designs and implements computer systems, ensuring that they meet the organization's needs for functionality, efficiency, and security. This course can help one become a Systems Analyst by providing a foundation in the principles of systems analysis and design. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of systems management software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor system resources.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst
IT Auditor
An IT Auditor assesses the security and efficiency of an organization's information technology resources, including hardware, software, and networks. This course can help one become an IT Auditor by providing a foundation in the principles of IT auditing, including risk assessment, internal control evaluation, and reporting. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of IT audit software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor IT security and efficiency.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Auditor
Database Architect
A Database Architect designs and implements databases, ensuring that they meet the organization's needs for performance, scalability, and reliability. This course can help one become a Database Architect by providing a foundation in the principles of database design and implementation. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of database management software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor database resources.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Architect
IT Business Analyst
An IT Business Analyst analyzes an organization's business needs and develops information technology solutions to meet those needs. This course can help one become an IT Business Analyst by providing a foundation in the principles of business analysis, including requirements gathering, solution design, and implementation planning. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of IT management software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor IT resources.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Business Analyst
Network Security Engineer
A Network Security Engineer designs and implements security measures to protect an organization's computer networks from unauthorized access, attacks, and other threats. This course can help one become a Network Security Engineer by providing a foundation in the principles of network security, including firewall configuration, intrusion detection, and vulnerability assessment. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of network security software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor network security.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer
IT Specialist
An IT Specialist provides technical support to users of computer systems, including hardware, software, and networks. This course can help one become an IT Specialist by providing a foundation in the principles of technical support, including troubleshooting, problem solving, and customer service. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of IT management software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor IT resources.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Specialist
IT Manager
An IT Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, and management of an organization's information technology resources, including hardware, software, and networks. This course may be useful to someone who wants to become an IT Manager by providing a high-level overview of the field of IT management. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of IT management software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor IT resources.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager
CIO
A CIO is responsible for the overall strategic direction and management of an organization's information technology resources. This course may be useful to someone who wants to become a CIO by providing a high-level overview of the field of IT management. The course also provides an overview of SolarWinds, a leading provider of IT management software, and how its products and services can be used to manage and monitor IT resources.
See salaries and explore the career path for CIO

Reading list

We've selected five books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in SolarWinds: The Big Picture.
Cover image
ITIL Practitioner Guidance
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the ITIL framework, which is widely used for IT service management. It provides essential background knowledge for understanding how SolarWinds products and services align with ITIL best practices.
ITIL® Practitioner Guidance (ITIL v3)
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
SQL Server 2017 Query Performance Tuning
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to monitoring and optimizing SQL Server performance. It covers topics such as performance tuning, troubleshooting, and capacity planning.
SQL Server 2017 Query Performance Tuning:...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Cyber Crisis
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of network security concepts and practices, covering topics such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption.
Cyber Crisis: Protecting Your Business from Real...
Hardcover
$$
Cyber Crisis: Protecting Your Business from Real...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
DB2 Developer's Guide
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to database administration, covering topics such as database design, performance tuning, and backup and recovery.
A Guide to Db2 Performance for Application...
Paperback
$$
DB2 Developer's Guide: A Solutions-Oriented...
Kindle Edition
$$$
DB2 Developer's Guide (Professional Reference...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
CIO Best Practices
Save
Provides a practical guide to measuring and managing the value of IT investments. It helps organizations understand how to justify the costs of SolarWinds products and services and demonstrate their return on investment.
CIO Best Practices: Enabling Strategic Value With...
Hardcover
$$
CIO Best Practices: Enabling Strategic Value With...
Kindle Edition
$$$

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Reddit
X
Link
Email

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to SolarWinds: The Big Picture.
Cloud Networking
Most relevant
Software Defined Networking
Most relevant
Networking in Google Cloud: Hybrid Connectivity and...
Most relevant
Linux Administration Bootcamp: Go from Beginner to...
Most relevant
Automating Cisco DNA Center Operations Using APIs
Most relevant
Cisco SD-WAN: Deploying the Solution
Most relevant
Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks: Network Services
Most relevant
Implementing Windows Server 2016 Hyper-V
Most relevant
IT Outsourcing - Running an Outsourcing Initiative
Most relevant

Pluralsight Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Verified partner policies & purchase protections

Enterprise Technology Platform
Free Trial & Audit

10-Day Free Trial

10-day free trial (up to 200 minutes of content) with access to the Skills video library and skill assessments. Cancel before day 10 to avoid automatic conversion.

Return & Refund Policy

Cancel Anytime (Non-Refundable Once Billed)

Cancel easily online anytime before the 10-day trial expires to prevent billing. Once subscription fees are paid, individual subscriptions are non-refundable (cancellation stops future renewals).

Buyer Protections

Verified Academic & Industry Partner

Skill IQ and Role IQ diagnostic benchmark assessments, hands-on lab environments, and curated learning paths designed by technology leaders.

Key Purchase Protections
10-day free trial on individual Skills plans
Skill IQ assessments to benchmark proficiency
Cancel anytime online before trial ends without fees
Hands-on interactive labs and enterprise-grade tech content
OpenCourser Verified Partner Policy details last reviewed: 2026-10-22
Course image
Time
119 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Pluralsight
Instructor
Jean Tunis
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Helps IT professionals manage and monitor IT infrastructure
Taught by instructors with expertise in the field
Provides a comprehensive overview of SolarWinds products and services
Covers a wide range of IT challenges and solutions
Offers insights into the SolarWinds Orion Platform Architecture
Share this
Share to help others discover this course.
Facebook LinkedIn X Reddit Link Email
Begin learning today
This course is currently discontinued or unavailable. See active alternatives above.
Course Unavailable
Save for later
Add this course to your list. Find it anytime.
Save
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser