Lansweeper

Description

Lansweeper is a networking utility that discovers Linux, Windows, and Mac computers within your network. It will also inventory networked devices like routers, printers, switches, and the like.

It makes scanning for devices and computers very easy and informative, handling most of the complicated work automatically.

It’s handy in its ability to find a variety of items within a network, especially devices that you may not already know of, delivering daily reports on every computer and device that is using your network.

Lansweeper is freeware software. You can test the software as a full version for a limited time. After this period, you are required to buy a license; otherwise, the program will return to the freeware mode. The freeware version has limits on the number of assets and scanning servers, and no access to technical support or hotfixes.

Note: It is compatible with Windows. It requires the Microsoft .NET Framework and SQL Server Express or better.

Lansweeper is a high-security tool, especially if you’re in charge of a network that is always in use by a large number of people. It can give you the ability to spot data leak points, something especially useful for large corporations, or even for a family with children whose online behavior should be monitored. Anytime you feel your network may be compromised, Lansweeper can be a powerful tool to help you maintain privacy and security.

Sometimes the scan may be slower than others, depending on the size of the network and the diversity of operating systems and machines connecting to it. But the fact that it is more or less entirely automated makes up for the clunkiness of it. Let it run in the background and deliver daily reports, and you probably will never notice the lag times.

The closest comparison is probably Spiceworks, which is also free, and is faster but lacks the comprehensive search and reporting that Lansweeper excels at. If you’re running a vast network, you might have to lower your reporting expectations when it comes to the frequency of reporting.

It’s a compelling and useful program, and unbeatable value at zero cost for administrators that manage a small network.