Kiwi CatTools - Free Backup Utility for Devices

What are Kiwi CatTools?

I don't usually start with a negative, however, it will save time if you realize that this backup utility is not for file systems, but it is for configuration settings on hardware devices.  Having cleared up that the purpose of CatTools is to back up devices such as, Cisco routers, Nortel switches and ASA firewalls, I can now move forward and encourage you to try a free download of CatTools.

Review of Cat Tools

• Guy's CatTools Challenge
• Review of CatTools Installation and Setup
• Free Download of the Kiwi CatTools

Guy's CatTools Challenge

The main benefits of Kiwi's CatTools are storing current and previous versions of your hardware configuration settings, and providing a central GUI where you can monitor information settings, and if necessary, make changes.

So, here is Guy's challenge.  If you download Cat Tools, then it will not only take care of back up, but also it will show you something new about your the hardware on you network.  I could give you a money back guarantee - but CatTools is already free!  No, I just make a techie to techie challenge, one of these features will help you:

• Sooner or later something will go wrong with a router or a firewall, but CatTools will send you an alert that keeps you one step ahead of the hackers, or the users!
• When troubleshooting, the ability to compare past and present configurations will save time in finding the change.
• One day the roll-back facility will restore a working configuration and save your bacon.
• Impress your manager, or cover your back, by distributing reports (provided by CatTools) of how well your devices are configured.
• I'll bet that you will find another feature of CatTools that I don't use, but will be just what you need.  (Bulk Changes are too bullish for me).

Try a free download of Kiwi CatTools

Review of CatTools Installation and Setup

The download, unzip, and the program's install are truly easy.  Furthermore, if CatTools works on a 64-bit Windows Server 2008 machine then you will have no problem installing on any current Windows 32-bit server or desktop operating system.

Your only real setup decision is whether to run as application or as a Windows service.  I chose to install the Kiwi CatTools as a service, and selected the default of LocalSystem account.  Incidentally, if you need to manually configure or restart the service, it appears under 'K' for Kiwi and not amongst the 'Cs'.

CatTools is designed to back up configuration information about the various devices on your network, but first you have to provide information to the utility.  The 'Devices' tab has a pick list of common network hardware, you then fill in the details such as the IP address, port number and connection method.  The only difference between the free and licensed version is the increase in the number of devices you can monitor from 5 to unlimited.

Talking of devices over 60 are supported out of the box, and believe there is a facility for advanced users to create a custom device.

Get your free download of Kiwi's Cat Tools

Problems with CatTools

I have heard of few problems with CatTools, the only glitches come from upgrading to version 3.3.14 from previous versions.  The solution is to uninstall, and reinstall.

Summary of Kiwi CatTools

In this review of CatTools I would emphasise that it really is easy to download and setup.  The benefit is that you will have peace of mind that your configuration data for routers, switches and firewalls is safely backed up.  An added bonus is that through trying this free utility you will learn more about the settings of your network hardware. 

Free download of Kiwi's CatTools