IPCopper is the maker of a hardware appliance for packet capturing.  Install IPCopper inline on any ethernet cable at up to 1 gigbit speeds, no changes to your network are required. IPCopper packet capture appliances rely on a unique, stealthy design that allows them to operate undetected by would be intruders. All IP traffic that pass through IPCopper will be captured and recorded. You can download data directly from IPCopper via LAN to a PCAP file on your computer. This makes it ideal for viewing the packet capture on your favorite data analysis tools such as wireshark.  IPCapture comes in two modes the ITR1000 and the ITR2000.
 

The information below is for the ITR1000
 

Capabilities

The IPCopper ITR1000 records web browsing sessions, emails, IM chats, FTP sessions and any other Ethernet-based transmission, communication or command. It is ideal for:

• Detecting and preventing electronic theft and unauthorized data / network access.
• Making a carbon copy of e-mails and other electronic communications.
• Logging access and transmissions to and from data servers, file servers, credit card servers or other databases.
• Monitoring the internet use and network activities of employees.
• Identifying and troubleshooting network problems.
• Benchmarking servers and networking equipment.
• Diagnosing virus, spyware and malware infestations.
• Facilitating thorough forensic analysis and quick incident response.

Features

• Captures internet and network traffic at speeds up to 1Gbps.
• Plug-and-play operation makes installation a breeze — setup is as easy as connecting two Ethernet cables and a power cord. Quick and simple installation reduces costs and saves time.
• Extremely limited maintenance.
• Continuous packet capture and recording, 24/7/365. As long as the unit has power, it will capture and record all packets that pass through, in either direction, until full.
• Review current and historical data at any time. IPCopper reliably records and retains the traffic data from the time of installation onward.
• Stealthy operation hides IPCopper's presence from electronic snoopers. The ITR1000 does not announce itself on the network or require an IP address.
• Flash-based utility with graphical user interface for checking the device’s status and downloading data in PCAP format* to your local machine, directly from IPCopper.
• 20Kbit key and encrypted storage safeguard your recorded data (see more on data security below).
• Operates both as pass-through (inline) or network tap (mirrored port) device.
• API for software developers to create custom data analysis and threat detection tools.
• Optional cloud services for browsing and analyzing data.

For more information on the IPCopper packet capture solution visit http://www.ipcopper.com/

Introduction
Uptime is a great free tool from Microsoft for checking the uptime on Windows systems. You can check your local system or a remote system. When I do server maintenance I need to know how long a server has been running. The uptime command will only check one computer at a time. By using the uptime command in a batch file I can check the uptime on all my servers within seconds.

Using Windows Uptime in a batch file
Below is the script I use to check the uptime on multiple windows systems. What you will need to do is copy the script to a text file and rename the extension to .bat. You will also need a text file with the list of computers you want to run uptime against. You can easily export this list from Active Directory if needed to. You will then need to place both the script and text file of computers in the same folder. You can name the text file whatever you want but it just needs to be set in the line SET targets=nameoftextfile.txt, you can see in my script I named my text file servers.txt.

Once that is done you can simply double click the batch file and let it run. I had about 100 servers in my text file and it took 10 seconds to complete the report. Once it is done it will save the report to a text file in the same folder. The text file report name is set in the line SET results=.

Here is the batch file, just copy and paste it into a text file and rename it.

@echo off

:: This is a simple batch file which uses uptime.exe to generate a server
:: uptime report based on a list of machines supplied in a separate text file.
:: Author: Network Monitor Software
::Website: http://networkmonitorsoftware.net

@echo Generating Server Uptime report ….
@echo.

SET targets=servers.txt
SET results=serveruptime.txt
SET filedate=%date:/=%

echo. 2>%results%

@echo.
@echo Getting uptime stats ….

@echo. >> %results%
@echo **************************************************** >> %results%
@echo ! Server Uptime Report ! >> %results%
@echo **************************************************** >> %results%
@echo. >> %results%
@echo Report created %date% at %time% >> %results%
@echo. >> %results%

FOR /f “tokens=* delims=” %%a in (%targets%) DO (uptime.exe %%a >> %results%)

@echo.
@echo ********************************
@echo.
@echo Complete!
@echo.
Pause
Notepad serveruptime.txt

Sample output of the uptime batch file report

****************************************************
! Server Uptime Report !
****************************************************

Report created Thu 02/16/2012 at 13:47:29.94

\\server1 has been up for: 4 day(s), 7 hour(s), 41 minute(s), 25 second(s)
\\server2 has been up for: 4 day(s), 7 hour(s), 33 minute(s), 40 second(s)
\\server3 has been up for: 4 day(s), 7 hour(s), 22 minute(s), 34 second(s)
\\server4 has been up for: 4 day(s), 6 hour(s), 22 minute(s), 9 second(s)
\\server5 has been up for: 4 day(s), 7 hour(s), 39 minute(s), 7 second(s)
\\server6 has been up for: 4 day(s), 5 hour(s), 58 minute(s), 34 second(s)
\\server7 has been up for: 0 day(s), 20 hour(s), 44 minute(s), 54 second(s)

Summary
In this article I showed you a batch file that used the uptime command to report the uptime on multiple computers at once. Using the uptime command alone you can only check the uptime on a windows system one at a time. By using this batch file you can easily check the uptime on multiple windows systems and save yourself a lot of time.

Real-Time NetFlow Analyzer Highlights:

• Investigate, troubleshoot, and quickly remediate network slowdowns
• Easily identify which users, devices, and applications are consuming the most bandwidth
• Isolate inbound and outbound traffic by conversation, application, domain, endpoint, and protocol

Company: Solarwinds
Download:  Free Real-Time Netflow Analyzer

The need to secure corporate IT infrastructure has been making itself known in recent years, this is where database monitoring comes into the picture. In the past much of the database security that was developed focused on perceived threats from external sources, hackers as well as other forms of malicious attacks. While these are still very real threats, statistics released by CERT say that more than 50% of attacks on databases stem from within the company.

Need to Monitor Against External & Internal Attacks

These insider attacks need to be eradicated because databases contain the most sensitive data that is also the most valuable for the company. These include sensitive information about clients, financial information as well as transactions which need to be shielded. Data specific vulnerabilities need to be dealt with and this is where database monitoring can enlighten companies.

Tools for Database Monitoring

Database management systems (DBMS) are generally spread out thin and there is a need for real time monitoring to keep out SQL injections, zero day hacks as well as buffer overflow attacks. Database monitoring is conducted with the help of certain tools that are geared toward the smooth and secure running of a database. These tools make certain that a given database is available and responsive at any given point in time. It also provides alerts using emails, SMS and RSS feeds if the expected response time is not at an acceptable level. This system is efficient and to most people pays for itself in a short amount of time.

With specific database monitoring tools, you will be able to seek potential data security threats and integrity issues. Disk errors and other corruption related mechanical failures that will result in downtime will also be easily identified and checked before it spreads. These tools will help you find causes of database downtime that will potentially cost you a lot in terms of time, money, and efficiency levels. With these precise tools, you will also be able to track errors as they occur so that you have maximum reaction time.

Features of the Best Database Monitoring Tools

There are many features that are critical to carry out this task. Some are:

• The first one is a low overhead. It is important that the tool or software used is production safe and does not unnecessarily stretch the workload of the database beyond capacity.
• Software that simply skims the issue is not a solid or reliable one, obviously. It has to go down into a highly detailed data collection that will pinpoint every issue that is hindering performance levels.
• The ability to trend performance statistics over a period of time makes any software of this sort superb. Current as well as historical data gathered must be available so as to facilitate diagnostics even after the vent has occurred. This is not something to be taken for granted.
• It is also important that this tool is not an encumbrance in itself and the total cost of ownership should be low.

The threats to a database are always expanding. Firms and technology need to continue to innovate to match this ongoing concern; database monitoring is essential for any practical and serious organization.

Summary

Database monitoring of corporate IT infrastructure is the need of the hour. There is a need to protect databases against both external and internal threats as well as ensure that the database is responsive and available. There are many feature rich database monitoring tools that can help with this.

Spiceworks provides free network monitoring software and help desk tools as well as a fully-interactive IT community for IT pros worldwide. Software is always 100% free – even support and product upgrades.

Company: Spiceworks
Website: http://www.spiceworks.com

Axence nVision is an affordable network management suite geared towards network monitoring and visualization. With nVision, you can get a detailed overview of your entire network, monitor your systems, send alerts and provide remote support to users. Axence nVision will help you manage and maintain your network effectively with customizable network maps and reports.

The nVision suite includes five modules which can be purchased and installed as needed. The modules are managed from a single, intuitive management console.

Network –The Network module provides monitoring and visualization for mail servers and Web addresses, TCP/IP and Windows services, application status and operation, and switches and routers (port mapping and network traffic). The network is automatically detected and presented on interactive maps.

Inventory – The Network Inventory module automatically collects the hardware and software information of Windows machines. It enables auditing and the verification of license usage and offers information about program installation or configuration change.

Users – The Users module provides advanced monitoring and reports on the activity of users on Windows machines: the actual activity (work) time, application usage, visited web pages and network transfer.

HelpDesk – The HelpDesk module enables quick technical support for users by means of remote access to the workstations through an agent. It gives administrators the ability to centrally solve user and network problems efficiently. It also includes a trouble ticket database, chat, and system-wide message broadcast.

DataGuard – The DataGuard module manages the access rights for all I/O ports and physical devices utilized by the users to copy files from a company machine or to run external software.

Company: Axence Software, Inc.
Website: http://www.axencesoftware.com/index.php?action=nVision
 

Linux Monitoring Software

Monitoring a Linux server is the best way to ensure that a database is secured and is running as expected. There is some quality Linux monitoring software that will help you achieve this end goal. Linux is one of the most widely used web operating systems and reliable software will make certain that the server does not suffer with any downtime and is maintaining a high level of performance.

Reasons for Employing Linux Monitoring Software

This software is easily available and most companies have begun to extensively use this. This type of software can ensure that your server and network system remains functioning and healthy. The main reason for opting to use this type of software is that you do not want your end users inconvenienced in any way or have your service levels impacted. This type of software solution will let you know when and if your application response time is lower than expected in any way. Up time statistics are also easily available and these can be used to trend statistics over a period of time and track performance levels.

Features of Linux Monitoring Software

When looking for this type of product, there are a few features that cannot be compromised upon. They are:

• The performance metrics and other statistical information that is gathered have to be highly detailed and easily consolidated. This lends itself to complete and quick root-cause analysis.
• Linux monitoring software should be able to diagnose and profile application as well as database issues and potential problems before they become severe.
• Alerts form a very important feature of this software. Services, applications, and system resource levels need to be monitored and alerts need to be issued as soon as any lag is located. This leads to automated healing that lends itself to the avoidance of any kind of outage.
• SLA reporting and management needs have to mapped easily.
• Reports and even 3D graphs are an added benefit that will help find the link between system performance and application server actions.
• Most companies aim at keeping their up time 35% to 70% less costly than other competing products and this is where an expert yet inexpensive Linux monitoring software comes into play.
• This powerful software helps greatly with capacity planning and aid in optimization of resources over a period of time.

Other Concerns

While these are the most important must have features in any Linux monitoring software, you will be better off with a software solution that helps you monitor virtual, cloud, and physical Linux environments with a single software tool. Of course, it is incredibly important to utilize this software that is easily installed and does not overload the system in any way. This software is designed for a Linux server; it is only logical to use software that is compatible. This is a match made in heaven and your system and business will hum because of it. Touching a positive and a negative current does not work if you want a smooth flowing electric current; the same results and performance can be expecting forcing a Linux server and a non-Linux software to work together.

Summary

With the sea of red only increasing exponentially, the need for resolute Linux monitoring software is being felt now more than ever before. While choosing this sort of software, it is critically important to know what it has to offer and how it can make the life of your business enterprise Linux server easier and more performance oriented.

Opsview is an award-winning open source network and application monitoring suite that provides status checking over the entire IT infrastructure, including physical, virtual and hybrid cloud environments. Key features include automatic discovery, availability monitoring, easy-to-read performance graphs, sophisticated alerting, an easy-to-use web portal, and much, much more.

Company: Opsview
Website: http://www.opsview.com/downloads

The Internet is a vast virtual platform for pretty much anything under the sun. Whether you are a parent or an employer, there comes a time when you want to know exactly what the people under you are doing with their time on the web. It is impossible to constantly stand behind someone or multiple people to figure out if they are genuinely working or just whiling away time on the web. This is the reason why web monitoring software is so popular.

Remote Web Monitoring

With web monitoring software, you don’t need to be in the same room, same building, or even the same continent to know exactly what the people you are tracking are up to. Most of these types of programs allow for remote access from any location once the software has been installed in your computer or network of computers. This is incredible and frees anyone up to handle their business, even relax, while the technology does its job.

Web Monitoring Software Benefits

The best software allows for both live as well as logged monitoring of employees and concerned individuals. You can choose to check on any one person or several individual users at one time depending on your needs. This product gives network administrators and supervisors all the tools that they might need to monitor and filter user activity on the web.

Solutions of this magnitude are performance driven management software solutions that allow businesses to make certain that there is high availability and performance in their output. You will be able to analyze how web surfing time is divided in the organization and filter your results in a variety of ways. With in depth data and statistics, you will have all the tools handed to you by the web monitoring software. Not only will you be able to know the website addresses that are being frequented but also the time, date, and duration of access by an employee, a group, or even an entire department.

Features of Web Monitoring Software

The solutions have a variety of features at your disposal. Some of the most prolific ones are listed here:

• The best software solution will be able to log all HTTP/HTTPS requests and filter them through a variety of parameters like title of window, active inactive time, user, and computer and end time details other than the obvious website and URL information. You will receive detailed web access reports that are easy to read and analyze.
• Web filtering can be undertaken with the help of these web monitoring software solutions and you can block specific sites or all sites except a specific one.
• This software will send you alerts and notifications that can be customized and applied with delay.
• This product can also allow for a web usage timer which shows the time left before application of the filter rule.
• It is the ultimate software for all surveillance needs and allows you to view screenshots, key strokes, and much more.

Summary

Keeping track of web surfing usage and Internet habits was never as easy as it is now with web monitoring software. It is a great value addition that works at increasing availability and performance in any organization. With advanced web usage controls and real time monitoring, you can manage and monitor web usage efficiently.

Network Monitor is a Real-Time packet sniffer, protocol analyzer and data logger. This network traffic monitoring software allows you to analyze network data in Real-Time and log network packets data for later analyzing.

Company: HDD Software
Website: http://www.hhdsoftware.com/network-monitor