Spice works for network inventory

Just got to install this wonderful software spiceworks. Though it was quite a big download for my network, I am impressed by this software, and whats more, it is free, thought technically I would categorize it as adware. But still, it is worth a try.

Once installed, you can set up details about your network, like the scan range and the schedule for scanning. Since I am not on a domain, I was happy with the feature to specify individual usernames and passwords for separate systems, though I would much have preferred the software to automatically try user password combos from a list, since users at my office change their ip addresses quite frequently. I don’t know how it would work in dhcp either, but in any case that would make it too similar to a password cracker, i guess (read word list dictionaries).
Once it begins scanning, it first makes a list of all ips on the network and then begins a detailed scan. It uses the wmi interface to get details such as machine specs, software installed, services running etc. You can even setup monitors that alert you if some unwanted software is installed. And as a bonus you get a helpdesk system also.

Additionally, spiceworks lets you directly add assets to your system. That can be things like UPS, stabilizers etc or printers. I guess that would be useful for me.

One bug, if you choose to download the same version that I have is that if spiceworks does a scan and finds a system for which it doesn’t have the account and password with sufficient priviledges, it gives you an authentication error. However, you can later add the account and password. But on the next scan, the software and services tab will show “This feature has not been implemented” To solve the problem, just mark it as a duplicate from the general info section and the next time spiceworks rescans, it will update the software list correctly.

All in all, I like it especially for what it does in quite a capable manner and you can’t complain about its slick interface either.