Freeware - SolarWinds All Free Network/System/Security/DB/clients monitoring tools

Today I would like to mention several SolarWinds Free tools. 

They have limited options against full versions but have interesting features useful for day by day System and Network administration tasks/monitoring/troubleshooting.

System Administrations tools

1. Solar-PuTTY Connect to any server or device in your network with Solar-PuTTY for Windows. This is an interesting Putty or PuttyCM alternative.
2. VM Monitor Hyper-V: monitors your VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V host and associated virtual machines in real-time.
3. Server Health Monitor Monitor the health, status, and availability of server hardware.
4. Exchange Monitor  Monitor and alert on performance, availability, and capacity of your Microsoft Exchange servers.
5. Remote Execution Enabler for PowerShell Streamline PowerShell tasks across all of your servers.
6. Admin Bundle for Active Directory Keep your Active Directory tidy with this trio of management tools
7. Permissions Analyzer for Active Directory Get instant visibility into user and group permissions.
8. VM Monitor Continuously monitor a VMware or Microsoft Hyper-V host and associated virtual machines.
9. Diagnostic Tool for the WSUS Agent Test WSUS connections and validate Windows Update Agent configuration.
10. Web Transaction Watcher Easily record and capture the results of a single web transaction.
11. WMI Monitor  Monitor real-time performance metrics on Windows servers and applications.
12. SNMP Enabler for Windows Remotely configure SNMP on Windows servers and workstations.
13. VM Console Bounce problematic VMs without ever logging into VMware vCenter.
14. Storage Response Time Monitor Track your sluggish VMs and pinpoint exactly where you have high storage latency.

Security and various tools

1. Free IT Security Tools:  Manage all end-user trouble tickets and track service request lifecycle, from ticket creation to resolution, from one centralized help desk management web interface.
2. Event Log Forwarder for Windows Forward Windows events based on event source, event ID, users, computers, and keywords in the event to your syslog server in order to take further action.
3. Firewall Browser Verify firewall rule changes and perform unlimited configuration searches.
4. Event Log Consolidator  Consolidate logs from up to five Windows servers or workstations Graph events over time to find patterns and troubleshoot issues Send desktop alerts for specific events or export events to CSV.
5. Free IT Help Desk Tools Manage all end-user trouble tickets and track service request lifecycle, from ticket creation to resolution, from one centralized help desk management web interface.
6. Database Performance Analyzer Free Reveal performance bottlenecks deep inside your SQL Server, Oracle, DB2 and SAP ASE instances. No other database monitoring tool focuses on response time and Multi-Dimensional Performance Analysis™ like DPA does.

Network Management Tools

1. Traceroute NG Perform accurate network path analysis.
2. Port Scanner  Scan available IP addresses and their corresponding TCP and UDP ports to identify network vulnerabilities.
3. Network Device Monitor: it work on any devieces with snmp credentials enabled there
4. NetFlow Configurator Quickly and easily activate NetFlow on your network devices with NetFlow Configurator.
5. GNS3 Network Emulator Construct and test your network in a risk-free virtual environment.
6. Real Time AppFlow Analyzer Investigate, troubleshoot, and quickly resolve application and network slowdowns.
7. Response Time Viewer for Wireshark Quickly analyze Wireshark® packet capture files to troubleshoot performance issues.
8. Network Analyzer & Bandwidth Monitoring Bundle Monitor network bandwidth usage with our free network analyzer and bandwidth monitor.
9. TFTP Server Free TFTP server for reliable and secure network file transfers.
10. IP Address Tracker Scan, track, and manage IP addresses and obtain detailed IP histories and event logs.
11. Real-Time Bandwidth Monitor Keep a close eye on bandwidth usage with this free bandwidth monitor from SolarWinds.
12. Real-Time NetFlow Analyzer See what types of traffic are on your network with SolarWinds free netflow analyzer.
13. Call Detail Record Tracker The free SolarWinds tool that lets you monitor VoIP performance.
14. Network Configuration Generator Automatically create template-based configuration scripts for network devices.
15. IP SLA Monitor Analyze IP service levels for network-based apps and services with our free IP SLA Monitor.
16. Advanced Subnet Calculator Help ensure that your IP addresses don’t conflict with one another, and save time managing DHCP, DNS, and IP addresses.
17. Wake-On-LAN Power up your network PC remotely.
18. Kiwi Syslog Server Free Edition View and archive syslog messages and SNMP traps in real time.
19. FTP Voyager FTP Client for Windows FTP, FTPS, and SFTP secure file transfer and automation with a full-featured scheduler.
20. SFTP/SCP Server Free SFTP server for reliable and secure network file transfers.

Windows 10 - How to increase Jump list items number

Windows 10, differently from Windows 7, has not a specific menu where increase Jump list items number.

If you would like to change this setting you should apply some registry changes.

Here it is relative workflow:

1. start --> regedit
2. Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
3. (be aware to check this section too) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
4. You should Right-click Advanced folder and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the new value JumpListItems_Maximum 
5. Double-click JumpListItems_Maximum value to open its properties window.
6. You should put a value between 15 and 20.

[update 2020.04.29]

Please review below article if you like to increase jump list show items:

Windows 10 - How to increase Jump list items number

Networking - Packet Tracer Free Cisco tool to have all network simulation done

There is an interesting free Cisco tools that permit you to have all sort of tests and simulations done using different Cisco devices.

An interesting part is that simulation and configuration setting up could be useful in production deployment environment as well withouth having all physical devices.:

You should register here:

https://www.netacad.com/

You might download packet tracer from below link and with several video and training on line:

https://www.netacad.com/courses/packet-tracer

Consider athat Packet Tracer is an exciting network design, simulation and modelling tool that allows you to develop your skill set in networking, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things (IoT). It allows you to model complex systems without the need for dedicated equipment. 

Here it is Cisco Acadamy link as well.

I hope to have time to publish more information and article related to this fantastic tool.

https://www.netacad.com/courses/all-courses

Tools - GRC Network tool website

Today I would like to mention this website:

https://www.grc.com/intro.htm

It has several interesting tool, one of them it permit to check, on line open ports on your pc, public Firewall, Router, Server etc. etc.:

Open the link
“http://www.grc.com”
• click on “ShieldsUP!!” link
• click on “ShieldsUP!” link
• click on “Proceed” button
click on “All Service Port” button

Here it is direct tool link:

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

And here it is an easy video that drive you, step by step, on relative usage:

[2019.05.23 - Port checks]

If you need to check ports on remote public ip that is different from your network connectivity you could use below link:

https://www.yougetsignal.com/tools/open-ports/

Extra IT - IT Crowd series on Youtube

Today I would like to share this youtube channel and playlist related to IT crowd series videos.

I got these video information from a colleagues, considering that they are really funny and amazing I am going to share here videos and a minimal history.

IT Crowd youtube channel

IT Crowd Playlist

Series 1 was the most famous, here it is relative playlist:



finally here it is a Wikipedia presentation and history:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_IT_Crowd

Tips - How to send thousands of newsletter using Excel file with Macro

There are several internet services that permit sending thousands of newsletter to huge destination contact list.

One of advantages are that receiving contacts would see email sent only to him and not in ccn. 

This result could be done easily in your own for free. Infact you should simply have a properly configured excel file (using macro) in conjunction with configured outlook program.

Before creating Excel macro you should read below article:

https://support.microsoft.com/it-it/help/291073/how-to-use-the-forms-controls-on-a-worksheet-in-excel

Here it is excel file appearance that you will get implementing following script. Obviously several enhancements and customizations could be done on script shown below.

Freeware - Autocad and DWG viewers

Here they are some free autocad viewers:

1. On line viewer:
   https://viewer.autodesk.com/
2. DrawSighth 2018
   https://www.3ds.com/it/prodotti-e-servizi/draftsight-cad-software/free-download/
   
   
3. Autodesk DWG TrueView 2018
   https://www.autodesk.it/products/dwg/viewers
   
   

[Update 2019.10.23]

This is new Drawsight version link, be aware that old free software is no longer working on 31/12/2019. New versions are no longer for free.

https://www.3ds.com/it/prodotti-e-servizi/draftsight-cad-software/scarica-draftsightr/


[update 2020.04.29]

I am adding another free autocad viewer.

It is not user frienly but, in some cases, it could be useful:

https://librecad.org/

Freeware - Shrew Soft VPN Client

Today I would like to mention this free client VPN that is usable and working fine if you need to connect through VPN and having a .pcf file for that.

In my case I was seeking for an alternative Anyconnect client free software version.

https://www.shrew.net/download/vpn

There are Linux and Windows versions.

At the same time  Shrew Soft VPN Client for Windows is available in two different editions, Standard and Professional. 

1. The Standard version provides a robust feature set that allows the user to connect to a wide range of open source and commercial gateways. It contains no trial period limits, nag screens or unrelated software bundles. It is simply free for both personal and commercial use
2. The Professional edition offers additional features that may be helpful for users connecting to a corporate LAN. It is installed by default with a 14 day evaluation period limit. To use the Professional edition after the evaluation period has expired, a client license may be purchased from the Shrew Soft Shop.

Graphical - Images engine search website and photo collection websites

Today I going to update an old article and adding fresher information:

https://www.alessandromazzanti.com/2010/12/motore-di-ricerca-per-immagini.html

1. http://www.veezzle.com/
   It is a portal website that seek images shared on other websites like Flirk, Picasa like freely usable photos found surfing on web.
   
2. A good alternative could be Dreamstime as well.
   
3. About vectoria images you could find interesting this blog post too (Vectorizados.)
   
4.  https://www.canva.com/photos/. Canva has millions of high-quality stock photos to use for all our design needs. Their collection includes both premium and free stock photos, and we can find the latter here:
   https://www.canva.com/photos/tag/free+photos/.They have recently put together this resources because their users have found it useful.

Manual - Cloud Migration Essentials: A guide to migrating servers and virtual machines

Today I would like to indicate this free Microsoft e-book that guid you on migration processess and actions to move VM to cloud:

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/cloud-migration-essentials-e-book/en-us/?MC=OnPremInf&MC=DataMgmt&MC=MSAzure

Here they are major topics that you would read/get confidence on:

1. Approach your cloud migration.
2. Discover and assess your servers, virtual machines, and applications.
3. Confidently execute your migration.
4. Optimize and adjust your cloud services and resources. 

Scripting - Ping date and time log creation and real time view

Often it could be useful to ping a remote host and save information with date and time indication as well. Useful for statistical and analysis purpose

At the same time it would be very useful to view real time log progress too.

You could get this result following these steps:

1. Create a .cmd scripting file with this command, in yellow information that need to be customized.
   REMARK: Folder location must exist.
   
   ping -t xx.yy.bb.dd|cmd /q /v /c "(pause&pause)>nul & for /l %a in () do (set /p "data=" && echo(!date! !time! !data!)&ping -n 2 xx.yy.bb.dd>nul" >C:\tempt\pingtest_xx.yy.bb.dd.log
2. Utilize CMTrace.exe log viewer tool (for SCCM tool) :
   
   https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50012
3. Here it is result that appear using previously script and CMTrace conjunctively:
   
   

Privacy - European Gdpr and Italian regulation application 25Th May 2018 Due date

During these months there is a lot ferment about new European regulation know as GDPR.

There is an official dedicated website about this argument. They key of new Privacy law is below indicated:

"After four years of preparation and debate the GDPR was finally approved by the EU Parliament on 14 April 2016. Enforcement date: 25 May 2018 - at which time those organizations in non-compliance may face heavy fines. 

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) replaces the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC and was designed to harmonize data privacy laws across Europe, to protect and empower all EU citizens data privacy and to reshape the way organizations across the region approach data privacy. The key articles of the GDPR, as well as information on its business impact, can be found throughout this site."

Key changes are here indicated.

More resources might be found here.

<=======>

Meanwhile, about italian country, I would like to mention this .PDF file that give a quickly overview about changes that are going to be requested/applied.

I am going to share this link and file for whom that would like to have an overview.

Guida all applicazione del Regolamento UE 2016 679.pdf (3273 k)

There is an interesting website feature that permit you to listen to document

To be strictly updated with Garante della Privacy (italian and English languages are available) there are RSS too.

[update 2018.05.01]

I would like to mention this article that explain that, if European citizen data are treated in any other country (external European community), that data need to managed following GDPR regulation, here it is an interesting article that well explain concept

https://www.technologyslegaledge.com/2017/06/global-reach-of-the-gdpr-what-is-at-stake/#page=1

[update 2018.06.17]

I would like to mention this .pdf Microsoft link about ""

Download "Microsoft's Journey to Compliance" .pdf

Microsoft link explanation:

https://resources.office.com/ww-landing-M365E-GDPR-microsoft-journey-to-compliance-ebook.html

[update 2018.07.17]

Correct download link:

Guida all applicazione del Regolamento UE 2016 679.pdf (3273 k)

https://www.garanteprivacy.it/documents/10160/0/Guida+all+applicazione+del+Regolamento+UE+2016+679.pdf

Hacker - WannaCry decrypting tools and mitigation Microsoft actions checklist

Today I would like to make a quickly zero point about Wanna Cry Malware diffusion, tools and theoretical info availability.

1. Decrypting tools: Here it is a web site that permit, after to be sure to have successfully cleanup your device, to download and launch decrypting tool.
   It is important to read, as first step, how-to guide.On website there is a section where upload .txt files and encrypted files to check if a decrypting solution is available.
2. GandCrab: Against this new ransomware, that appeared this January 2018, at the end of February security firm Bitdefender, Police, and Europol gained access to the GandCrab Ransomware's Command & Control servers.
   This action permitted to recover some of the victim's decryption keys and create below tool:
   Download: BitDefender GandCrab Decrypting tool
   REMARK: v2 appeared and decription tool is not available for this kind of virus.
3. Here it is an excellent Microsoft powerpoint.
4. Here it is Microsoft webinar "Protect Against Rapid Cyberattacks (Petya, WannaCrypt, and similar", this explain:
   -  How these attacks work- Microsoft's road map of prescriptive recommendations
   - Q&A / Gather feedback on your top challenges with adopting these recommendations.
5. Interesting Microsoft link "Securing Privileges Article"
6. From this Microsoft Article I would like to highlight on actions to mitigate risks with some photos:

I am intending to, month by month, add updates and new articles, stay tuned then.

About Wannacry you could review these previously blog posts.

Previously blog posts:

Antivirus - WannaCry Free Decryptor tool

Hacker - MS17-010 patch KB4012598 against Wannacry Ramsoware

Antivirus - Malicious Software Removal Tool

Windows 10 - SMBv1 disabled by default on Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

[update 2018.06.17]

Microsoft Video:

Manual - Azure Strategy and Implementation Guide download for Free

I would like to mention that Microsoft give you capability to download for free below Manual.

This e-book well apply for those who are new to Azure or in the beginning stages of planning a cloud migration: the Azure.

Download link

Here they are chapter names as well:

Chapter 1: Governance
Chapter 2: Architecture
Chapter 3: Application development and operations
Chapter 4: Service management

Scripting - How to copy ACL from one folder to another

You could have necessity to clone ACL that are in place to a single folder to another one.

Here it command syntax that you should use for that:

Get-Acl -Path “Source Path Folder” | Set-Acl -Path “Destination Path Folder”

Windows 10 - Microsoft links about top 10 support solutions and configure tips

I would like to mentions two microsoft links, related to windows 10, that indicates top 10 solutions related to windows 10 (and patch status/list as well) and other configure windows 10 solutions that could be useful for your normal windows 10, here they are:

• Top solutions for Windows 10
• Configure windows 10

Have a nice reading.

Tips - Remote connect to PC turned off or with no O.S. using Intel AMT Active Management Technology

Intel AMT (Active Management Technology) is a remote control technology integrated into PC Intel vPro platform hardware based component. 

Most of latest laptops has Intel vPro enabled. 

You could use this technology to give remote support, consider that Intel AMT allows you to control a remote computer that has no OS or even power on if its off.

First step that you should do on your pc/laptop it is to enable AMT.

You could utilize these articles:

1. Intel 
2. blog

After that you need to download meshcommander tool  (otr other similar tools) to connect to pcs.

Linux - SQL installation MVA tutorial

As mentioned in earlier blog post SQL could be installed on Linux server as Well.

Microsoft released, last year, SQL binaries for Linux too.

Linux - How to install MS SQL and .NET on several Linux distributions
http://www.alessandromazzanti.com/2017/03/linux-how-to-install-sql-server-on.html

Due to this fact I would like to mention this MVA Microsoft video tutorial that go deeper on this topic:

https://mva.microsoft.com/en-US/training-courses/installing-configuring-and-managing-microsoft-sql-server-on-linux-18305?l=Z4MuSOc2E_2113214697

Windows 10 - Enable diagnostic command prompt with 1703 or later versions

During Windows 10 upgrade process and pressing SHIFT + F10 you  would have possibility to launch and use diagnostic command prompt to verify upgrade status, log viewing and other tasks.

Due to Microsoft security aspect attention this feature was disabled with 1703 version and later.

Using SCCM or this O.S. upgrade process you need to:

• Add a Set Task Sequence Variable step before the Upgrade Operating system step in the Upgrade Task Sequence, like so.
  Task Sequence Variable: Set OSDSetupAdditionalUpgradeOptions
  Value: /DiagnosticPrompt enable

If you launch from command line Windows 10 O.S. upgrade phases you need to launch setup.exe as below:

/DiagnosticPrompt {enable | disable}

Specifies that the Command Prompt is available during Windows Setup. Enable: The Command Prompt can be accessed by pressing Shift+F10 during Windows setup. Disable: The Command Prompt is not available during Windows setup. The Command Prompt wil not be available while offline and OOBE phases are running. This is the default setting. Example: setup /DiagnosticPrompt enable This setting is new for Windows 10, Version 1703.

Server - MAP Toolkit 9.8

Today I would like to mention the new MAP Toolkit version 9.8 availability.

This is a tool that helps organization:

• Assess their environment.
• To have software reporting status to generate usage report
• Track usage (O.S. & Sw) and preparing a migration to Windows Azure virtual machines.
• It helps increase the agility and cost effectiveness of deploying the latest Microsoft technologies

Here they are sw/o.s. that apply it:

1. Exchange Server 2016.
2. SharePoint Server 2016. 
3. Windows 10 and previous versions
4. Windows Server 2016 and previous versions.
5. Office 2016, Office 365 and previous versions.
6. It track usage of Windows Server 2012, SharePoint Server 2013, and Exchange Server 2013, 

Download and more details could be find here.

Here they are some screenshots:

Microsoft - Windows client Lifecycle

Today I would like to mention this Microsoft article that point to Microsoft Clients O.S. Lifecycles:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet

Windows 10

Windows 10 version history	Date of availability	End of service
Windows 10, version 1709	October 17, 2017	April 9, 2019**
Windows 10, version 1703	April 5, 2017	October 9, 2018**
Windows 10, version 1607	August 2, 2016	April 10, 2018**
Windows 10, version 1511	November 10, 2015	October 10, 2017**
Windows 10, released July 2015 (version 1507)	July 29, 2015	May 9, 2017

* Home edition does not support the deferral of feature updates and will therefore typically receive a new version of Windows 10 prior to the end-of-service date shown.
** Enterprise and Education editions for versions 1511, 1607, 1703 and 1709 will receive an additional 6 months of servicing after the end of service date.
Note: Not all features in an update will work on all devices. A device may not be able to receive updates if the device hardware is incompatible, lacks current drivers, or is otherwise outside the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) support period. 

Enterprise LTSB editions 

Windows 10 version history	Date of availability	Mainstream support end date	Extended support end date
Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB	August 2, 2016	October 12, 2021	October 13, 2026
Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2015 LTSB	July 29, 2015	October 13, 2020	October 14, 2025

Note: Not all features in an update will work on all devices. A device may not be able to receive updates if the device hardware is incompatible, lacks current drivers, or is otherwise outside the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) support period. 

Windows 8.1 and 7

Client operating systems	End of mainstream support	End of extended support
Windows 7, service pack 1*	January 13, 2015	January 14, 2020
Windows 8.1	January 9, 2018	January 10, 2023

* Support for Windows 7 RTM without service packs ended on April 9, 2013. Be sure to install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 to continue to receive support and updates.