Spiceworks Adds Virtualisation Management To Free Tool

Network management software provider Spiceworks has updated its free IT management software, just months after its last update.

The latest addition to the tool includes the ability to remotely inventory and monitor virtualised machines and manage server and desktop processes.

IT Desktop is a free social IT management application used by organisations to automatically inventory, monitor, troubleshoot, report on and run a help desk for their IT networks.

These and other capabilities of IT Desktop are designed to better support the added complexity that new technologies and services bring to the networks of small to medium-size businesses (SMBs). Version 4.6 of IT Desktop is currently available for download via the company’s website. Features of version 4.6 of IT Desktop include virtualised server and desktop management, which enables businesses to remotely discover and monitor VMWare ESX/ESXi and vSphere virtualised servers. This includes the ability to monitor whether or not a VM is running and the amount of RAM and hard drive space the VM is using. In addition, it provides a full inventory and configuration of the virtual device.

Other features include remote process management, which allows administrators to remotely view and kill desktop and server processes, shortening troubleshooting time and reducing in-person desktop and server visits, and a network map for wireless networked devices. IT Desktop now supports Cisco wireless access points (WAPs) allowing users to view and diagram network bandwidth, traffic information and the devices connected to WAPs.

“Almost half of all small and medium businesses use virtualisation technology, and that number is only expected to grow in the coming year,” said Scott Abel, co-founder and CEO of Spiceworks. “We’re helping to support this trend by giving IT pros the ability to manage virtualised machines free of charge, while providing them with the other IT tools they need to manage their networks and do their jobs.”

Rounding out Version 4.6 of IT Desktop is integrated CDW search, which enables users to search for products from CDW directly through the IT Desktop and integrated power management. Based on the popularity of the Power Manager plug-in sponsored by Intel, the Power Management plug-in is now integrated with all Spiceworks deployments, helping to further extend the potential impact of power savings and the “greening” of IT networks worldwide.

In addition, the software offers full SSL encryption to provide greater security within organisations and for MSPs and businesses using the software to remotely manage multiple offices and locations. It also provides the ability to create and view multiple network maps, edit existing network elements and add new elements, change the layout and organisation of the elements, and add annotations.