Open source management applications flourish

Network/Systems Management This newsletter is sponsored by SITA Hybrid Networking enabled by SITA The increases in productivity and reductions in cost associated with distributed applications, come at a price, since network traffic is not just bandwidth-hungry but also delya- sensitive- causing major problems for network and IT managers. Learn how to enhance performance over distributed network. Network World's Network/Systems Management Newsletter, 10/29/07 Open source management applications flourish By Denise Dubie Open source management software makers Zenoss and GroundWork Open Source continue to enhance their respective products to the point that it's getting more and more difficult to distinguish the open source wares from commercial management products. Recently, Zenoss announced Version 2.1 of its flagship Core software. The upgrade included features that dip into Web 2.0 technologies such as Maps integration and AJAX-based network map visualization. The software also provides native management of Java-based applications and personalized dashboards. Industry watchers have pegged Zenoss as a more than adequate replacement for large management frameworks. Executive Guide:Virtualization Meets Reality Virtualization is being used to make the most out of everything from applications and servers to desktops and storage. But as companies expand their reliance on the technology, challenges mount. Read this guide authored by a host of Network World editors and review this timely topic. Click Here for More Information "Zenoss looks like a strong competitor for large frameworks," reads a Forrester Research report. "Combining open source and other sources, Zenoss Core is a complete solution that monitors all components, including applications, at the event, performance, and configuration level." The software downloads to a single Linux server and collects data from multiple platforms without a proxy server being needed. For instance, the software uses existing agents, SNMP and Windows Management Instrumentation to collect data across cross-platform systems. The company provides its open source software for free under the Mozilla public license and offers commercial support packages. Zenoss also sells an enterprise edition of its product. Separately, GroundWork Open Source is set to announce updates to its GroundWork Monitor Open Source platform that include support for Ubuntu and other Linux distributions based on the Debian installation system. The news is significant in that GroundWork provides its users with best practices for managing various network devices and systems, which can speed product deployment and make for more efficient management, industry watchers note. "Configuring network monitoring can be a fiddly business, and many overworked administrators struggle to cope with ever-growing networks," writes Forrester Research senior analyst Michael Goulde in a recent report. "GroundWork sells default profiles for monitoring different appliances that specify the collection of the most important events for particular functions. This saves administrators time and makes the noncommercial base products more usable." Zenoss and GroundWork compete with commercial software makers as well as fellow open source provider Hyperic, which recently announced in the quarter ended Sept. 30, it had increased its total number of enterprise customers by 39% over the previous quarter. Seems like open source management is considered a viable option for enterprise IT managers. What do you think? Is open source management taking hold? Let me know. Editor's note: Starting the week of Nov. 12, you will notice a number of enhancements to Network World newsletters that will provide you with more resources and more news links relevant to the newsletter's subject. The Network/Systems Management newsletter written by Network World Senior Editor Denise Dubie will be merged with the Network/Systems News Alert and will be named the Network/Systems Alert. You'll get Denise's analysis of the network/systems management market, which you will be able to read in full at NetworkWorld.com, plus links to the day's network/systems management news and other relevant resources. This Alert will be mailed on Mondays and Wednesdays. We hope you will enjoy the enhancements and we thank you for reading Network World newsletters.   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

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Contact the author: Senior Editor Denise Dubie covers the technologies, products and services that address network, systems, application and IT service management for Network World. E-mail Denise. This newsletter is sponsored by SITA Hybrid Networking enabled by SITA The increases in productivity and reductions in cost associated with distributed applications, come at a price, since network traffic is not just bandwidth-hungry but also delya- sensitive- causing major problems for network and IT managers. Learn how to enhance performance over distributed network. ARCHIVE Archive of the Network/Systems Management Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE 90% of IT Managers are leaving their company at risk for a DNS ATTACK. Get the tools and resources you need to keep your DNS healthy and secure. Run a DNSreport on your domain today - 56 critical tests run in 8 seconds. Visit www.dnsreport.com to learn more. (apply coupon NWW2007NLA for a 25% membership discount) PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007