10 essential utilities for small networks

Network administration - The job of network administration is indeed a very deep, wide area, the task of network administrators to perform every day is complex and constantly changing. However, there are a lot of tools that can help some administrators to reduce this amount of hard work. Here are 10 utilities that we deem necessary for small networks.

Manage the entire network

Network Magic Essentials and Network Magic Pro

Cisco Systems Network Magic Pro.

The first utility that I want to show you is Network Magic Pro and Network Magic Essentials. With home network, Network Magic Essentials is just enough, it is a complete collection of free and useful tools for home network administrators who don't have much IT experience. With this utility, users will have a network map showing all devices on their network, and there is a lot of information about each device, such as its IP address, configuration. hardware, software configuration, etc. In addition, users also have some troubleshooting tools to fix broken network connections and perform some other maintenance tasks.

If you have to administer an enterprise network, the network administrator can choose Network Magic Pro , which is a $ 50 utility. In addition to the features found in Network Magic Essentials, this Pro utility also provides support for a greater number of computers and devices connected to the network, it also offers a variety of ways to control Internet access. In addition, the Pro version has some excellent network security tools and a report showing the bandwidth usage of each computer.

Spiceworks IT Desktop

Spiceworks IT Desktop.

Spiceworks IT Desktop is a free and all-in-one network administration tool. This is a product that runs on the browser and provides a lot of detailed information about each device on the network, such as free space, total disk space, anti-virus software in use, even the Server connection errors, etc. IT Desktop can be more difficult to use than Network Magic programs, but its advanced features are very useful for IT professionals. It can provide an inventory of all software used on each computer.

Network Scanner

LizardSystems Network Scanner.

Network Scanner is a utility that allows you to inventory all devices connected to the network - it can show a lot of details about each device. This is a LizardSystems product, which is provided free of charge for non-commercial use, $ 40 with business use. This utility can scan the entire network, then provide detailed information such as IP address, . Network Scanner proved really useful if you are interested in security issues, it can report features. Whether remote administration is enabled or not. The program also lists shared folders at public level so that administrators can easily detect security holes and block them.

Netbrute Scanner

Raw Logic Software Netbrute Scanner.

Raw Logic Software's Netbrute Scanner utility is an extremely useful tool for those who want to check the security issues in the network. It can scan all computers on the network, then search for security vulnerabilities (such as TCP ports to open, installed software such as server software and FTP, directories and resources). raw sharing). Based on what you find, you can reconfigure each computer. Although the company's website does not mention this software can work with Windows 7, it can indeed run on Microsoft's new operating system without any problems.

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Check network speed

There are many people complaining that their network is too slow but they do not know why. Checking the actual speed of the network connection as well as knowing which computer uses the most bandwidth is not easy. Below we will show you some utilities that solve this problem.

Bandwidth Monitor 2 Lite Edition

Rokario Bandwidth Monitor 2 Lite Edition

When installing the free utility Bandwidth Monitor 2 Lite Edition of Rokario on every computer on the network, this program will help you check your bandwidth usage in real time. It will display the bandwidth used for download, upload, as well as the total bandwidth. In addition, the program will have a performance record using bandwidth to facilitate monitoring.

Just install on each computer in the network, then check the results - especially bandwidth usage records - on each computer. This way, you can tell where the computer consumes the most network bandwidth. Based on the results obtained, you can make adjustments as appropriate.

LAN Speed ​​Test

Totusoft LAN Speed ​​Test

Another tool to help check speed and other network bandwidth is Totusoft's LAN Speed ​​Test . This utility will help you to check the download and upload speeds in real time on the computer that installed it. By installing on computers on the network and regularly running the program, you will know which computers have speed problems.

Wireless network help

Troubleshooting a wireless network is a very difficult task, but the two tools we introduce below will make troubleshooting more simple.

InSSIDer 2

In wireless networks there are often dead spots - the point where the wireless signal is very weak or missing. This problem comes from many reasons, whether it is through interference or it may be that the wireless signal is weakened when passing through walls or furniture. However, how to detect areas in the building that have weak signals or areas without signals.

MetaGeek InSSiDer 2

MetaGeek's free InSSiDer 2 utility will help you solve this conundrum. It detects wireless networks in the area, showing the signal strength of each network as well as the channel used. That way, you can determine whether a nearby network can be a source of interference from which to change another channel.

You can also detect points in the office or home using the InSSIDer utility on a laptop to see the signal strength at each location, thereby finding the dead spot. Based on the results, you can solve the problem by moving the router or moving the computer to another area with a stronger signal strength.

Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector

Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector

Another tool used to troubleshoot wireless networks, called Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector , is a free utility that provides much more valuable information than InSSIDer. You can gather wireless information to make sure it is configured correctly - for example, ping the DNS server and gateway to confirm that they are in a positive state and work properly. Network speed test allows you to check the speed of your wireless network. While the company's website does not say whether the software works with Windows 7, in fact we can use it on this operating system of Microsoft.

MAC address management

Every device on the network has a unique MAC (Media Access Control) address. Network administrators often have to find these addresses to perform many tasks, but finding them is not easy at all. The two downloads introduced below can help administrators a lot.

Technitium MAC Address Changer

Technitium Mac Address Changer

Has your network ever been intruded by intruders or your security tools worked well?Technitium Mac Address Changer can help you find that answer. Assume that you are using a MAC address filter to block all devices except for certain addresses. Now you can use the Technitium MAC Address Changer to give a computer a new MAC address that is not on the allowed list, then find out whether the computer may evade detection by filtering and retrieving. Whether to access the network with the new MAC address. If it is not possible, your network is safe.

Find MAC Address

LizardSystems Find MAC Address

Another tool of MAC address named Find MAC Address of LizardSystems (free for non-commercial use, $ 30 for business use) can scan every device in the network, then report on MAC addresses of them. It can even find mobile devices. Using this tool you can create an inventory of MAC addresses of devices on the network; Then use Find MAC Address to determine if any unauthorized device accesses your network.