Thread: Check out amazing Open source tools for Windows Admins

Are you under the impression that the easiest way to improvise your Microsoft server side experience is to go to the company itself? The answer can be yes in a few cases but fortunately there are many open source tools which offer great support to Windows Server, SQL, Exchange and SharePoint in a much better way than Microsoft itself.

With its CodePlex site, Microsoft has accepted the role of Open source tools for Microsoft Admins. Fortunately, it is the best time to experiment with the open source tools. Check out the tools below:

Wireshark

Wireshark is widely used to ease the traffic analysis and combat troubleshooting.


AMANDA

AMANDA, aka Advanced Maryland Automatic Network Disk Archiver is used to back up the Windows based system. Its other features include offering single master backup server.

MailArchiva

MailArchiva is an interesting portal offering obedience to Exchange 2000/2003 and many other mail servers like Postfix, Sendmail, Qmail, Lotus notes and more.

Exchange 2010 RBAC Manager


For admins working on role based control as well as Exchange, Exchange 2010 RBAC Manager is a perfect tool.

Core Configurator 2.0 for Server Core

The tool is free for use and offers a GUI method to manage the tasks.

AutoSPInstaller for SharePoint 2010

If GUID databases titles appear complicated to you, utilize the AutoSPInstaller which uses numerous kinds of scripts to install the SharePoint in system while making sure that the databases name are easy to understand.


OCS Inventory

Do you know the use of OCS-NG? It is a unique device which is used to locate every kind of device connected in the network along with all the information about every sort of software and hardware installed in the system.


UltraDefrag

Used to defrag system files, registry hives as well as paging files. It is used to improve the performance.

Nmap for Windows

It is a valuable security resource for Windows shops. Download link: nmap.org/book/inst-windows.html.


Zenmap

Map the topology of the entire device connected to the network with the aid of Zenmap. It ensures that the firewalls and routers are working in the perfect condition.

PowerGUI

PowerGUI is one of the most reliable tools offering free graphical user interface as well as script editor for Power shell.

Performance Analysis of Logs (PAL) Tool

If you are unaware of how to analyze a compiled data, PAL can be of tremendous use to you.

ClamWin Antivirus

Admins looking for reliable security tool must switch to ClamWin for Windows 7, Vista, XP and more.

Virtual Router

Do you want to convert your Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 system into wi-fi hotspot? Virtual router is the ideal tool for it.

VirtualBox

It is an open source virtualization solution for Windows, Macintosh, Solaris and Linux machines.