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10 great free downloads for your network

computerworld.com — Whether you've got a home network, small network, enterprise network or anything in between, these 10 freebies can make it more secure, run better and easier to manage. They're useful, easy to learn ... and you certainly can't beat free

Who dugg this? Made popular Feb 8, 2008

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  • SpikeX, on 02/08/2008, -5/+71Google 'em.

    1. NetworkMagic
    2. Spiceworks IT Desktop
    3. NetLimiter Monitor
    4. Network Notepad
    5. Advanced Net Tools (ANT)
    6. DreamSys Server Monitor
    7. NetBrute Scanner
    8. Technitium MAC Address Changer
    9. RogueScanner
    10. NetPeek

    Nobody likes going through 7 pages of reviews.
  • iheartartoo, on 02/08/2008, -3/+25And no one likes Google-ing 10 different programs.
  • engarak, on 02/08/2008, -0/+18FTFA:

    Note that I'm leaving out extremely popular and well-known free downloads, such as the Ethereal network protocol analyzer or Wireshark and am concentrating instead on lesser-known downloads.
  • mgagne, on 02/08/2008, -1/+17One page: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?com ...
  • antdude, on 02/08/2008, -0/+12Print Copy: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?com ...
  • inactive, on 02/08/2008, -0/+10FTA: At least 3 people will quote me on digg.com for leaving out Wireshark.
  • hello2usir, on 02/08/2008, -0/+10Little? Wireshark is a lot more sophisticated than any of these tools. Packet and protocol analysis, which isn't even represented on this top 10 list, is crucial for any network admin. Moreso than the majority of these other tools which are mostly just conveniences and not necessities.
  • SuperOmegaSlack, on 02/08/2008, -3/+10Forgot to mention my favorite, Cacti and another good network monitoring app is Nagios... but it's a pain in the arse to configure!
  • meshman, on 02/08/2008, -4/+10Awesome. Thank you for this.
  • kaph, on 02/08/2008, -1/+7FTA: Note that I'm leaving out extremely popular and well-known free downloads, such as the Ethereal network protocol analyzer or Wireshark and am concentrating instead on lesser-known downloads.
  • spyrochaete, on 02/08/2008, -0/+6I really like NetMeter for Windows. It sits in the icon tray and shows your bandwidth usage on one or more NICs. Pretty much a freeware DUmeter equivalent.

    http://www.metal-machine.de/readerror/
  • unluckier, on 02/08/2008, -2/+7Why is it so difficult for people to realize that JPEG sucks for screenshots?
  • joshobrien77, on 02/08/2008, -1/+6This article is crap. I have been managing Enterprise networks Since 1999. If you want a list of real network tools go to http://sectools.org/.

    Beyond that check out www.ziptie.org.

    I will say that spiceworks which was in that list is amazing! Those guys really have the right idea.
  • xaxxon, on 02/08/2008, -0/+4buried as inaccurate. Most of the stuff here is shareware and NOT FREE.
  • nydwarf, on 02/08/2008, -2/+6Buried because number 10 on this list is NOT free.
  • cardyology, on 02/08/2008, -2/+5FTA: Note that I'm leaving out extremely popular and well-known free downloads, such as the Ethereal network protocol analyzer or Wireshark and am concentrating instead on lesser-known downloads.
  • Jakyll, on 02/08/2008, -0/+3Agreed, this is a merely a list of 10 great free *WINDOWS CLIENT* tools. Along with Cacti and Nagios, I'd add Nessus, Snort, and at the very least Nmap to the list.
  • Moshcrates, on 02/08/2008, -10/+13I am surprised WireShark was not mentioned. It may be more for packet reading and finding out routing patterns but I use it all the time at work and outside of the office.
  • alstewart73, on 02/08/2008, -0/+3Spiceworks is actually a pretty good tool for the price. Network and device scanner, built in helpdesk, groovy icons. Pretty robust for freeware and works well in a real environment compared to MUCH more expensive alternatives.
  • CharityChic, on 02/08/2008, -2/+5Here's a torrent mirror of all 10 + bonus utility if you don't want to go to every single popup laden download site and click through the 10 pages of that article. Win 32 only on most of these, all pretty useful though!!

    http://wortharchiving.com/torrents-details.php?id= ...
  • inactive, on 02/08/2008, -2/+4You are quite the champion. I bet hot chicks line up at your door.
  • FIip, on 02/08/2008, -0/+2PNG FTW.
  • inactive, on 02/08/2008, -0/+2I find Netscan a really helpful tool.
    http://www.softperfect.com/products/networkscanner ...
  • DopeWeasel, on 02/08/2008, -0/+1I installed SpiceWorks on one of our servers in my network at the office. Decent tool for inventory, but the Help Desk function is lacking.
  • unitedstatians, on 02/08/2008, -0/+1Have you ever wondered just how fast your network connection is? NetStat Live (a free utility) shows your network downstream and upstream speeds accurately in real-time.

    I've use it for years. Very effective bandwidth monitor (TCP/IP protocol monitor), with a tiny minimalist dark GUI.
    http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/n ...
  • pramsay, on 02/08/2008, -0/+1I also like LanGuard...
  • digjam, on 02/08/2008, -0/+1Agreed, Nagios is more than just a pain in the ass.. its more like a shovel in the asss..... it works fine.. but i think u can get much better products with less pain
  • theaceoffire, on 02/08/2008, -0/+1Anyone know of debian equivalent of netlimiter?
  • Malevolant, on 02/08/2008, -1/+2look@LAN is a great LAN/WAN tool
  • stalefries, on 02/08/2008, -0/+1FTA: Note that I'm leaving out extremely popular and well-known free downloads, such as the Ethereal network protocol analyzer or Wireshark and am concentrating instead on lesser-known downloads.
  • rynosauce, on 02/08/2008, -0/+1Anybody else notice the 'Sexplore" in the options window on this page: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?com ...
  • x2wenty4x, on 02/08/2008, -1/+2Great list of tools.
  • Matri, on 02/08/2008, -0/+1I know you're trying to be sneakily advertising and all, but I think you should just quit your job while you still have the illusion of a shred of dignity left.

    Seriously, "paris hilton news"?
  • rynosauce, on 02/08/2008, -0/+1Beats googling 10 different pages to view each biased review.
  • diatrevolo, on 02/08/2008, -0/+1What's "Windows Vista?"
  • AF-Geek, on 02/09/2008, -0/+1I think that goes back to the "jpgs suck as screenshots" sentiment above...
    I believe that should be "$explore"
  • doshindude, on 02/08/2008, -1/+1retard.
  • piotrulos, on 02/08/2008, -0/+0cool its super
  • Hollander1, on 02/08/2008, -1/+1Network magic = not OK. Make sure you read full disclaimer before you install it, from the same people of 'Port Magic' (AOL crap ware). This is ad ware at the least, a privacy compromise if you ask me. See http://www.networkmagic.com/privacy.php , specifically under 'How We Collect Personal Information'. The enclosed product brochure if you buy it/get it bundled with various hardware products, is more specific about what data is actually transmitted to Network Magic's servers.
  • kl0ne, on 02/08/2008, -0/+0if you like nagios but aren't comfortable configuring it, google 'groundwork'. it's a pretty awesome app. also, the guy who wrote this must not have heard of ziptie before ( http://www.ziptie.org ), which is an open source network management application that runs on windows as well as mac and linux. that list isn't bad, though.
  • limeaid, on 02/08/2008, -0/+0Anyone running NEDI? I manage a cisco WAN and this tool is priceless (even though it's free)
    http://nedi.ch/doku.php?id=gallery:gallery
  • bcnl, on 02/08/2008, -0/+0The Dude is even better if you've got a few routers from MikroTik. If it finds a device running RouterOS you can get tons of useful info on it.

    **edit** wow, I need coffee.... I basically said exactly what you said :> All I saw was the reference to The Dude (which I just started using on Monday) and started typing away.
  • TaniaDerveaux, on 02/08/2008, -2/+1"I have all the free network tools I will ever need: http://www.getgnulinux.org/ =)"

    Winner ^^
  • danny951, on 02/08/2008, -2/+1Same reason people don't realize Windows sucks *at* screenshots...

    Mac OS X FTW.
  • JPW420, on 02/08/2008, -1/+0Check out The Dude http://www.mikrotik.com/thedude.php It can be kinda clunky in spots but it does some neat *****. it's free and Mikrotik's RouterOS and RouterBoards are awesome
    Also:
    Cacti, Nagios, OpenNMS, NetSNMP + any scripting language, GetIF for win32



  • magicjamers, on 02/08/2008, -1/+0I thought you might want to see the Gmail Tool box: 60+ Tools / Resources
    http://digg.com/gadgets/Gmail_Toolbox_60_Gmail_Too ...
  • mark076h, on 02/08/2008, -2/+1Lanspy is a great tool also
  • billmbillson, on 02/08/2008, -2/+0I have all the free network tools I will ever need: http://www.getgnulinux.org/ =)
  • inactive, on 02/08/2008, -8/+1Wireshark is a little app.

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