Are you an IT admin? These 31 free tools will make your life easier. 

As an IT administrator, having the right set of tools is key for managing networks, servers, computers, and applications effectively. Luckily, there are many free yet effective tools in the market  that can simplify your tasks and enhance productivity. Take a look and add the ones you like to your IT arsenal. 

Network & Remote Management Tools

• Wireshark: Wireshark is a versatile network protocol analyzer that enables administrators to capture and analyze network traffic. This tool provides valuable insights into packet-level details, aiding in network troubleshooting and security analysis.
• PuTTY: PuTTY is a widely used open-source application for remote access and management of IT assets. It provides secure shell (SSH), Telnet, and serial console connections to remote systems. PuTTY is highly flexible and supports various network protocols, making it an almost default  tool for  remote server administration and troubleshooting.
• OpenNMS: OpenNMS is a feature-rich network management and monitoring platform. It offers a wide range of monitoring capabilities, including network discovery, event management, and performance measurement. 
• Snipe-IT: Snipe-IT is a popular open-source IT asset management system. It provides a user-friendly web interface for tracking and managing assets such as computers, mobile devices, software licenses, and peripherals. Snipe-IT offers features like barcode scanning, customizable fields, user permissions, and reporting capabilities.
• Sysinternals Suite: Sysinternals Suite offers a comprehensive set of advanced Windows troubleshooting and diagnostic tools. From process monitoring to registry analysis, these tools empower IT administrators to diagnose and resolve complex system issues effectively.
• nmap: nmap is a network exploration and security auditing tool. It allows administrators to scan networks, discover open ports, and identify potential vulnerabilities. nmap is a valuable asset for assessing network security and ensuring compliance.
• OpenVPN: OpenVPN is a popular open-source VPN solution that provides secure remote access for IT administrators. It enables encrypted communication between remote devices and the network, ensuring data privacy and network security.

IT Security & Compliance

• Snort: Snort is an open-source network intrusion detection system (NIDS) that helps administrators detect and prevent security breaches. With its robust rule-based detection engine, Snort provides real-time alerts for potential threats on the network.
• HashiCorp Terraform: Terraform is an open-source tool for automating infrastructure deployment. IT administrators can use Terraform to create, modify, and manage infrastructure efficiently using code, enabling seamless automation and scalability.
• Elastic SIEM / Splunk: Both Elastic SIEM and Splunk help with threat detection and incident response, allowing IT administrators to monitor security logs, analyze threats, and improve cybersecurity resilience.

Virtualization & Cloud Management

• Apache CloudStack: Apache CloudStack enables IT administrators to create multiple zones, manage regions, host VMs, instances, and Kubernetes clusters, all within a single management console, making private cloud services scalable and efficient.
• Ravada VDI: This virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution allows IT administrators to host virtual machines and provide access to end users, enabling remote work and secure desktop management.

Networking & Data Management

• Cloudflare: This tool provides load balancing, DNS management, and protection against cyber threats, ensuring high availability and network reliability.
• Apache Kafka / RabbitMQ: Both are real-time data streaming solutions that facilitate seamless data communication between distributed systems, aiding in efficient IT operations and data flow management.
• RackTables: RackTables is a free and open-source data center and network asset management system that helps IT administrators track hardware, network devices, and IP allocations efficiently.

Monitoring & IT Infrastructure Management

• CheckMK RAW: CheckMK RAW is a free monitoring tool that assists IT administrators in tracking IT services, infrastructure, applications, and IoT devices. It provides in-depth monitoring capabilities and detailed reporting. 
• Graylog: Graylog is a powerful log management and analysis platform that assists IT administrators in aggregating, analyzing, and visualizing log data. With its flexible query language and scalable architecture, Graylog simplifies log monitoring and aids in troubleshooting.
• Grafana: Grafana is an open-source data visualization and monitoring tool that allows IT administrators to create dynamic dashboards and graphs for analyzing and monitoring metrics from various sources. It supports integration with multiple data sources, providing comprehensive insights into system performance.
• Zabbix: Zabbix is an open-source monitoring solution that enables IT administrators to track the health and performance of networks, servers, applications, and cloud environments. It provides real-time alerts, detailed analytics, and automation features, making it a crucial tool for infrastructure management.
• Zulip: Zulip is an open-source team chat platform that organizes conversations into threads and topics, providing a more structured and efficient communication experience. It offers powerful search capabilities, integrations with popular services, and streamlined message organization, allowing IT teams to stay focused and productive.

File & Password Management

• FileZilla: FileZilla is a cross-platform FTP, FTPS, and SFTP client that simplifies file transfers. IT administrators can use FileZilla to securely transfer files between systems and manage remote file operations with ease.
• KeePass: KeePass is a password management tool that enables IT administrators to securely store and manage their passwords. It provides a centralized repository for storing credentials, generates strong passwords, and supports encryption to ensure data protection.
• phpIPAM: phpIPAM is an open-source IP address management (IPAM) tool that assists IT administrators in managing their IP address space. It provides features such as subnet management, IP address tracking, and DNS and DHCP integration, streamlining IP management tasks.
• Angry IP Scanner: Angry IP Scanner is an open-source network scanner that allows users to scan IP addresses and ports on a network. It is a cross-platform tool that is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
• Advanced IP Scanner: Advanced IP Scanner is a network scanning tool that helps Admins to discover, scan, track, and monitor IP addresses across a network. It typically supports both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and uses protocols like ICMP, SNMP, and ARP to provide detailed insights into network devices, including their availability, device type, and connectivity details. 

System Utilities

• Rufus: Rufus is a free and open-source tool used for creating bootable USB drives. It is commonly used to prepare USB media for installing operating systems, such as Windows or Linux, on computers.
• ScreenToGif: ScreenToGif is a free and open-source tool that allows users to record their screen activity and save it as an animated GIF file. It is a lightweight and easy-to-use application that provides a simple interface for capturing screen recordings, creating GIF animations, and editing them if needed.

AI-Powered IT Assistance

• ChatGPT: IT administrators can utilize ChatGPT for troubleshooting assistance, documentation expansion, infrastructure planning, security analysis, and scripting guidance to enhance their work efficiency and decision-making processes.
• Perplexity AI: Perplexity AI empowers IT admins by providing quick, accurate answers with real-time updates and trusted sources, helping them streamline troubleshooting, verify server and coding fixes, and enhance operational efficiency through advanced data analysis and language processing capabilities.

Conclusion

Even as technology evolves at a rapid pace, IT administrators still face multiple challenges in managing and securing networks and systems. The above-mentioned free tools provide invaluable assistance in monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing IT infrastructure. From network monitoring to security analysis, these tools empower administrators to streamline their tasks, enhance efficiency, and ensure smooth operations. Incorporate these tools into your workflow and take your IT administration skills to the next level.

Disclaimer: This article lists tools based on public info and industry knowledge, not officially endorsed by 42Gears. Inclusion doesn’t guarantee performance or compatibility. Research, evaluate, and check licensing before use. The author and 42Gears aren’t liable for any issues arising from these tools.