Top 9 Best Misc Networking Tools on Windows
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LOGINventory
A useful tool designed to query and catalog all of the information regarding the hardware and software available on your computer and on your network.
Managing the hardware and software assets of a company is a particularly tedious task, more so when dealing with large organizations. Fortunately, digital tools have removed much of the need for actual fieldwork; LOGINventory is just one such powerful application, allowing network administrators to scan and keep track of all the program licenses and hardware devices owned by the company.
Scan the network for used software and hardware items
The utility can be installed on a central management station, acting as a hub for all analyses. Network administrators can run all the necessary scans from this position and one of the notable features of the tool is that it generates minimum traffic when processing commands; at the same time, scan results are accurate and fast, mainly due to the use of parallel network queries, via both IP and SNMP protocols.
All the gathered results are saved into a database, a setup that ensures adequate protection, both against unauthorized access, but also data corruption. Once scan results are complete, the application will display detailed information on all the entries found, including source IP values and item descriptions.
Display intuitive graphs based on the data retrieved
These options make it a uniquely valuable tool for performing IT asset audits and ensuring company software and hardware items are adequately managed. For managers or higher personnel who are time-pressed for solutions, the program also provides visual representations of the data collected, in the form of informative graphs.
As for the software side of things, the application features thorough algorithms to retrieve all the license information from target computers. It also provides its users with license metrics such as per-user or per-device indices.
A powerful utility to conduct thorough software and hardware audits
All things considered, LOGINventory is a valuable tool for anyone tasked to manage an organization's program licenses and hardware devices. It can be employed to effectively conduct analyses across the entire network from a centralized hub and all the data retrieved is stored in a database for improved security.
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WakeMeOnLan
A versatile and reliable software utility that enables you to turn on one or more computers remotely by sending Wake-on-LAN (WOL) packets.
WakeMeOnLan is a tiny and portable piece of kit that aims at sending a wake-on-LAN (WOL) signal to remote computers over the local network, thus giving you control over them.
Since installation is not a prerequisite, you can just drop the program files anywhere on the HDD and run the executable immediately. Otherwise, you can move WakeMeOnLan to a USB flash drive or similar storage unit, in order to run it on any computer without prior installers.
What's important to mention is that no entries are added to the Windows Registry, and no leftover files are kept on the hard disk after program removal.
The GUI is based on a standard window with a plain and intuitive layout, where you can start scanning all computers in your range with the simple click of a button. The results list shows the IP address, machine name, MAC address, network adapter company, user text, status and workgroup for each workstation.
Henceforth, you can make a selection of one, more or multiple computers, and send them a WOL packet through the context menu. Other options of WakeMeOnLan can generate an HTML report of all or selected items, add a new computer to the list or edit the properties of an existing one (IP and MAC address, machine name, user text), create an icon in the system tray area, specify an IP address range to scan, use a particular network adapter, and more.
WakeMeOnLan has a minimum impact on the system performance, accompanied by a good response time and speed when it comes to scanning remote workstations. No error dialogs have been shown in our tests, and the tool did not hang or crash. Thanks to its intuitive layout and overall simplicity, WakeMeOnLan should satisfy the whole audience.
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YogaDNS
Intercept DNS requests in your computer's system and process them over custom DNS servers using modern protocols and rules with the help of this useful app.
Users with advanced networking knowledge might know just how outdated the standard DNS (Domain Name System) protocol feels at times. To put it as simply as possible, DNS falls a bit short when trying to satisfy the requirements of modern networking on multiple fronts such as security, flexibility, and even all-round reliability.
What is YogaDNS and why is it useful?
YogaDNS is a modern and very useful application that aims to improve how DNS works by resolving some of its most pressing issues. For example, it can resolve hostnames over DNSCrypt, DNS over HTTPS (DoH), and plain DNS protocols, and even perform DNSSEC validation both locally and remotely.
In short, the app intercepts DNS requests on its own from the system resolver (and apps) and allows users to process them over custom DNS servers using some of the most modern protocols and various rules. These rules are quite flexible as users can define multiple DNS servers and resolve through them, as well as specify the network interface used to resolve them.
As mentioned before, YogaDNS aims to improve security usually associated with DNS. Hence, it helps network administrators to avoid IP leaks over DNS. In terms of DNS server management, users are allowed to assign specific DNS servers to specific DNS names. For example, the app allows users to use a specific network interface for a specific DNS name.
Pretty easy to use for a DNS client
To make things even better, YogaDNS is also really easy to use, regardless of one’s experience with similar apps. Subsequent to a typical installation procedure, the app greets its users with a clear-cut GUI. There’s a basic menu bar at the top, a toolbar that encompasses some of the app’s main tools, and the actual log window underneath.
For a more comprehensive guide on how to use all the ins and outs of YogaDNS, users can check out the app’s official documentation section.
Intercept DNS requests and process them over user-defined DNS servers
Taking everything into account, YogaDNS should appeal to a broad range of network administrators, as it allows just about anyone to make their system work with some of the most advanced DNS protocols out there such as DNSSEC, DNSCrypt, and DNS over HTTPS. It boasts system-level integration, support for the aforementioned protocols, and the ability to create flexible rules.
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Automated Serial Terminal
Facilitates communication via COM ports, providing automation and simulation capabilities for developers who work with RS232/RS422/RS485 serial faces.
Automated Serial Terminal streamlines communication via COM ports, allowing you to connect to various devices via RS232/RS422/RS485 serial interfaces or USB COM ports and PnP serial ports. Not only that it can send and receive messages, but you can also use it to generate scripts for automation purposes.
When talking about COM ports, we are thinking about modems, terminals, routers, GPS devices, as well as robots, all kinds of sensors and other equipment in related fields. Automated Serial Terminal facilitates the communication with all these devices, proving useful both in the development and the debugging and testing stages. With its help, you can simulate the behavior of physical serial devices and software applications when running automatic tests.
Share data and files via COM ports
Working with Automated Serial Terminal is easy, provided you are familiar with the COM port terminology and usage. The application identifies available communication ports, allowing you to start a new terminal session with a few clicks. Session configuration allows custom values for the Baud rate, parity, dataBits and stopBits, as well as flow control parameters.
With Automated Serial Terminal, you can send files, text and ASCII or non-ANSI characters via an opened communications port. It allows you to send and receive data in hex, binary, decimal, octal, float and double format and supports any encoding mode over the serial line, including ANSI, ISO, OEM, ISCII, UNICODE, UTF-8 and UTF-16, and more.
Generate, edit and run automation scripts
One of the noticeable features of Automated Serial Terminal is related to its capability to quickly generate and run scripts for automation purposes. The built-in script editor comes with integrated references and definitions, symbols and features built-in debugging capabilities. As for the ease of use, syntax highlighting and line numbering are functions that make your job easier.
Serial port terminal with scripting capabilities
Automated Serial Terminal is a handy tool for developers who want to create a serial port application. It allows quick data exchange and comes with support for MODBUS commands, allowing you to create automated tests. IT is a versatile and powerful application for automating COM port communication.
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Advanced NMEA Data Logger
This simple, yet reliable application can provide you with real-time activity logs from various sources, such as IP addresses or COM devices.
Advanced NMEA Data Logger is a powerful application that can record activity logs from various devices remotely connected via TCP/IP protocols or COM ports. The tool is designed to input NMEA data streams from GPS, navigation and other similar instruments.
Input data from NMEA devices to local files
Advanced NMEA Data Logger is a suitable tool for recording the activity of remotely connected NMEA devices and saving it in Excel spreadsheets, Access files and other databases. The application can provide you with real-time data from any of the supported devices and instruments.
NMEA or National Marine Electronics Association represents a specification for the interface between pieces of marine electronic equipment. The data transfer between an electrical interface and the communications protocol can, for instance, be defined by the NMEA standard.
Advanced NMEA Data Logger can record and aggregate data from several NMEA devices to your computer. The program can thus replace hardware equipment that logs data from GPS devices.
Quick device configuration
Advanced NMEA Data Logger allows you to easily configure the NMEA devices you wish to monitor and allows you to select between the supported port types during the installation. You can select the RS232/RS485/RS422 port configuration, which you can log through a converter. Alternatively, the program can listen to TCP/IP or UDP ports.
The configuration window includes several categories regarding the devices, the log files, the data format and plug-ins. You can monitor a device as a client or server station, based on which computer the program is installed on.
Server and connection settings
Advanced NMEA Data Logger allows you to filter the IP addresses that you wish to listen to. Leaving the list empty implies that you wish to allow all connections. Moreover, you can specify the number of simultaneous connections and enable the option to send client information to a parser.
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InternetTest
A user-friendly software utility that helps users check if a certain website it up and running, or if it is down, while also locating a certain IP.
InternetTest is an all-in-one solution for those who like to keep an eye on the uptime of their preferred websites by manually checking their availability.
Highly intuitive looks
The main window is neatly organized and it clearly shows you all the functions at your disposal.
The application starts with analyzing your Internet connection and informs you if there are issues. This can come in handy when you want to make some changes to your network-related settings or replace some hardware and you want to ensure you do not break anything in the process.
One major downside of is that you cannot schedule InternetTest to regularly check if a certain URL is up and running or not, as you need to manually perform the verification every time.
Integrated IP locator
A very handy feature of InternetTest is that you can quickly look for information about a specified IP or website, without you needing to search an online resource every time you need this data. You can even find details about the location of your own IP.
You can also view the info on an online map (a new tab in your default browser is automatically launched), as this can make it so much easier for you to fully visualize the location of any given IP.
Additionally, you can save the records as a TXT file so you can either analyze them at a later time, or simply share your findings with your colleagues.
To wrap it up
In a nutshell, InternetTest might seem like a tiny little app at first glance, yet it packs multiple features in a neat GUI, which makes it suitable even for those with little technical skills. It even comes with a dark theme, so it does not look out of place on any PC, regardless of the installed theme.
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SmartCode VNC Manager Enterprise Edition
Reliable and complete remote administration, network management and monitoring software that offers support for a large variety of tools.
SmartCode VNC Manager Enterprise Edition provides you with a full-featured application for managing and monitoring home and corporate networks. With its remote administration and monitoring capabilities, it comes with all the necessary tools for offering professional technical assistance.
Control any computer remotely using the latest VNC technologies
The Enterprise Edition bundles advanced features that you can use to take remote control over any computer. It provides support for various remote connection software, such as Microsoft Hyper-V, TeamViewer, LogMein, VNC, Remote Desktop Services, SSH and Telnet clients, Radmin, DameWare Mini Remote and much more.
The 'VNC Deployment Wizard' enables you to remotely install and control UltraVNC, TightVNC and RealVNC, as well as capture screenshots of the remote VNC server. The dynamic search feature allows easy and fast network scanning (it can automatically detect online VNC, RDP, SSH, Citrix ICA servers and any system that responds to a ping request), while the the advanced monitoring features (VNC and Hyper-V thumbnail view) allow you to keep an eye on multiple computers simultaneously.
Take advantage of a wide array of process management and file organization features
SmartCode VNC Manager Enterprise Edition comes equipped with powerful remote management tools, enabling you to easily manage domains and workgroups, view installed software, launch applications, manage shared files, edit system registry, manage running processes, services and device drivers, reboot or shutdown the target computer, send it console messages or wake-on-LAN packets.
HTTP and Intel AMT support, virtual machines remote management, customizable external tools and action scripts, Active Directory integration, configuration profiles, SSH key and password generation are other advantages that this application includes.
Very well-suited for network administrators
The main interface is intuitive, displaying all the registered computers and offering fast access to all the monitoring tools. The built-in wizards are there to ease your work and help you perform different tasks faster.
All in all, SmartCode VNC Manager Enterprise Edition is a powerful tool that comes in handy especially for large network administrators. Its remote connection properties can help you easily troubleshoot system problems and offer high-quality assistance to multiple computers at once.
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Download Hubs
SmartCode VNC Manager Enterprise Edition is part of these download collections: VNC Clients
Corner Bowl Server Manager
Straightforward and advanced software that helps you manage your networks, while offering support event log management options in real-time, security event reports, application, resource, and disk monitoring features, as well as various types of alerts.
Corner Bowl Server Manager is a comprehensive software application whose purpose is to help system administrators consolidate, archive, and monitor logs (Windows event, Syslog, and text logs), create reports, and keep an eye on system resources.
Plus, you may track and control applications and services (websites, email servers, databases, Windows services and processes), as well as monitor changes applied to the Windows registry, SSL and digital certificate expiration and validity, disk and directory, and Internet connectivity and throughput.
Straightforward layout
You are welcomed by a multi-tabbed interface that provides quick access to the Server Manager Dashboard, which displays system summary information, error reports, running monitoring tasks, running reports, event log, and Syslog summary.
It also offers support for a step-by-step approach when it comes to setting up the service credentials, email parameters, and database configuration. Additional settings allow you to tweak Active Directory connections, Syslog server, web server, WMI (authentication level and block size), proxy, as well as port, bind address, and encryption options.
Main features
Corner Bowl Server Manager gives you the possibility to add computer, devices, and hosts using different methods, such as browse network or Active Directory, map computer, device, or host, or select the local host.
Once you have added the PCs that you want to monitor, you can create and assign Templates, which represent different types of actions that can be applied to one or more hosts. The tool offers support for several preset templates, such as HTTP (sends an email alert when any assigned website is down), Defragment Disks, Delete Temporary Files, Synchronize Clock, CPU, and many others.
What’s more, you can make the application generate reports by scheduling the entire task. The summarized data from the reports can exported to HTML or sent via email.
You can automatically monitor new servers and workstations. The tool is able to scans the Active Directory tree or targeted organizational unit (OU) for computers and filters the PCs with the aid of advanced parameters (e.g. operating system contains Server) and exclusion lists.
There’s also support for a wide range of alerts and notifications. For example, when monitoring log entries, the tool writes each filtered log entry to a user-defined database table, and you can also make the utility restart, stop, or start a Windows Service, and write a message to any Syslog server.
When it comes to batch processing, you are allowed to update computers, devices, and hosts, assign computers to a group, delete items, update templates, assign templates to a group, update reports, and others.
An excellent monitoring app
All in all, Corner Bowl Server Manager proves to be a reliable application that comprises all the necessary tools for helping you manage your networks. Taken into consideration that it offers support for event log management options in real-time, security event reports, application, resource, and disk monitoring features (e.g. disk space utilization, CPU and memory usage), and various types of alerts, this tool can handle both and small enterprises.
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Lansweeper
A powerful browser based piece of software that allows you to scan entire networks and offers you a complete overview of the workstations.
Lansweeper is a software solution designed of offer network administrators a simple and effective tool for hardware and software audit.
Workstation inventory from A to Z
Lansweeper makes it possible to scan an entire network an extract detailed information about the software that is installed on every single computer which is connected and running. This way, you’re always kept up to speed when it comes to what applications are being used, which version they are running and most important of all, you can check to see license and manufacturer information.
Moreover, Lansweeper can alert you of any hardware changes, whether a component is removed or changed, you’re instantly made aware of the situation.
Comprehensive GUI
Lansweeper isn’t really an application for the fainthearted when it comes to network monitoring as it can be overwhelming if you don’t have any experience with this type of software. This doesn’t mean that it is not user-friendly, it’s actually very well structured and displays a comprehensive interface but it does take you a couple of good minutes to get into the details of each function to understand it.
Besides the tabbed structure, the application is also made up of multiple panels that you can edit, reposition and remove at any time making Lansweeper a very versatile tool. You are able to rearrange it’s layout and create new tabs which you can customize with the widgets you need.
A large number of report types
Lansweeper provides a wide range of report templates which you can use. They come in categories such as ‘Active Directory’, ‘Asset’, ‘Autorun’, ‘Bus’, ‘Chart’, ‘License’, ‘Network’, ‘Services’, ‘Software’, ‘Workstation’ and more. Each report can be exported to XLS, CSV and XML formats.
It goes without saying that they can be customized to fit your needs and you can very well create your own template from scratch with just the information you need to extract.
A complete network scanning solution
With the above to consider and much more to discover, Lansweeper is indeed monitoring and reporting tool that can meet and exceed any demand you have.
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