I thought I already had enough tools for identifying computers and
routers on my network, but I was wrong. SolarWinds free User Device
Tracker, finds where all my devices are now, or where they were last
seen!
You get a console which displays MAC addresses, port numbers and of
course IP address of any node.
The primary job for the User Device Tracker is to locate any laptops,
printers or even desktop on your network. The idea is that even a
regular user can type in the hostname or IP address of the device they want
to locate. My first surprise was that the UDT (User Device
Tracker) will return 'Last seen' data for devices that were active on the
network but are now switched off or disconnected. Naturally, if
the device is active then UDT returns the current switch and port numbers.
For an administrator this ability to track a laptops' (and other devices) previous
locations can prove invaluable in knowing precisely what is going on in
your organization.
SolarWinds' Network Sonar technology scans your subnets using SNMP
credentials to find the switches and add them to the User Device Tracker
interface. As expected, you can schedule scans, once the switches
are discovered, the user selects which ports they would like to monitor.
Note: I find it best to put the radio button on
'Include historical results', at least to start with.
The User Tracker Device is ideal for checking which switches are at
capacity, and where there are spare connections on your network.
For really large network you can review the switch data by physical
location, vendor, or status. It's fun to tailor the reports to
suit your infrastructure. Opening a switch will show which ports are
free and which are in use. The ports in use are clickable for even
more information about its configuration, and what device is currently
connected.
UDT can help if you are looking for a device but it's not currently
connected to the network. Firstly, you can see where it was last
connected, secondly, you can add it to the 'Watch List', then when the
device is switched on it will appear on your list, along with its
location.
How to Install User Device Tracker
The key is getting SNMP working.
Hardware Minimum Spec
CPU Dual processor, 3GHz
Memory 3 GB
Hard Drive 20 GB
Software Requirements
The operating system needs to be Windows 2003 Server or later.
.Net Framework Version 3.5 or later.
Database SQL Server 2005 SP1 Express, Standard, Enterprise SQL
Server 2008 Express, Standard, or Enterprise, or SQL Server 2008 R2
You do need to install IIS, 32-bit mode on 64-bit servers.
Each device has Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
enabled, and the server is permitted to query the SNMP device.
Flexible Architecture and Licensing
User Device Tracker is a cost-effective way to track devices anywhere
on the network. SolarWinds' license model is driven by ports, so you
only pay for what you need. You can monitor branch offices from a
central location, as a result you will have a clear view of the IT
infrastructure. Because the UDT is read-only, helpdesk staff can
use it to troubleshoot without needing admin rights to the switches
themselves.
More Information on User Device Tracker
This has been a short review of SolarWinds UDT, but to see see more
about
UDT at SolarWinds.
Full Reviews of the SolarWinds Orion Family of Applications
Here are Guy's comprehensive reviews, comments and recommendations for
Orion products. Each application has a 30 day trial of a fully
functional program, so check out the download links provided.
Guy Recommends: Orion's NPM - Network Performance Monitor
Orion's performance monitor is designed for detecting network outages. NPM makes it easy to see what's working, and what needs your attention.
This utility guides you through creating network maps. It also helps troubleshooting by indicating whether the root cause is faulty equipment, or resource overload.
