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Network Audit tools

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by liame

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I am getting asked to do more and more audit work just lately. I mainly work with MS networks these days, but not solely.

To be honest I've not done much since 1999 and wanted to get your opinions on good network audit tool. The recent work I've done I've just used the DeskInfo tool that comes with the fujitsu PCs we generally supply to gather the info and I've knocked up a database with the result files.

What I want :-
1) Good automation possible for the discovery agent and really thorough scanning for known applications.
2) A decent front end to the collation / reporting tool that the non technical types can get simple answers from while still letting the tech types delve right in.
3) ODBC compatability so I can get the data out if I need to do anything the front end cant support

Your recommendations please.

6 replies

by erikdr

Doesn't sound like network audit but PC audit. Also known as inventory tooling, and at times linked to the more formal asset management.

This is a very crowded market. But with most vendors (e.g. SMS, ZENworks, LANDesk, Altiris) the inventory is combined with software distribution and remote control. Unbundled options are more often found with smaller vendors like Centennial software; however they tend to charge same price as the LANDesk-likes but for a far more 'narrow' functionality.

All main contenders in the market that I know of match your reqs, though req. 2) is partly a matter of taste. My personal favorite is LANDesk, for what it matters...

Hope this helps,

- The Netherlands

by liame

I think you are right Eric in that I want a PC audit tool - but one with network functionality so I carry out the audit (at least mostly) from 1 place. SMS and Zenworks do everything I need but they are simply not suitable as a consultant's tool to carry out an ad hoc audit for a company that does not already have the system in place.

I've got Visual Audit Pro coming to have a look at and was going to compare that to Centenial Discovery. Any comments on personnal preference, the pros and cons of these products and suggestions for alternatives, if known, gratefully accepted.

by techrepublic

myCMDB.com Online Network Inventory Mgmt. System

Check out http://www.myCMDB.com

It includes an online system scanner and allows you to inventory/track your equipment right away.

Our service is hosted, so you avoid the hardware/database and initial start up cost.

Our licensing model is very competitive.
I hope this sounds interesting,

Jim Davis
http://www.myCMDB.com

Network Inventory & Configuration Management

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