How to manage your network with an iPhone

Network managers looking for a way to expense an iPhone could tell upper management about a new software download that lets them take action and control their environment with a smartphone.

PerformanceIT recently launched a Web site from which IT professionals can download software that lets them transform their iPhone, or BlackBerry or other smartphone, into a handheld remote control, troubleshooting device. FreeMyIT software, available as a virtual appliance or in a software-as-a-service model, makes managed network devices such as routers, switches, servers and desktops accessible on any smartphone or cell phone. The company is emphasizing its application on iPhones because of its broad appeal.

"It works on BlackBerry and other smartphones, but the iPhone is the up-and-coming device to run applications on and we think it's a great way to display this information," says Win Pham, director of product development at PerformanceIT. "IT professionals can diagnose and fix problems remotely and securely and with a smartphone capable of that they might not even need a desktop."

FreeMyIT software consists of server software and agents, or robots, which are installed on the network devices to be managed. Customers choosing the hosted software download robots to servers or desktops and PerformanceIT maintains the central management application. Customers choosing to purchase the software outright receive a virtual appliance and install it on a server in their environment, distributing the agents to servers and desktops. The software integrates with other management tools and trouble ticketing systems. It also provides IT with a detailed record of actions taken, company officials say.

"The software forms a complete audit log, which is extremely important to an organization that needs to remain compliant," Pham explains.

FreeMyIT robots feature more than 60 built-in interactive commands and perform real-time, background, and scheduled task. Using FreeMyIT on a smartphone, network managers can restart services, reboot servers, run database commands, custom scripts, ICMP Ping test, URL and TCP check, port listening check, chart CPU and memory, learn top resource utilization and reset terminal server session, among other tasks.

In the SaaS model, FreeMyIT is priced at about $50 per month for one end user and about $20 for each additional user. To buy the virtual appliance, customers pay $5,000 for 100 robots and $50 for each additional robot. FreeMyIT is available now.

source:www.networkworld.com