ManageEngine Desktop Central - June Newsletter

Jun 18 2009 08:01:44 AM Posted By : ananthv
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ManageEngine Desktop Central

June Newsletter  



Greetings from ManageEngine Desktop Central

We are happy to announce the availability of latest hotfix to Desktop Central 6. Here's the complete list of enhancements & bug fixes of this hotfix:

Enhancements & Bug Fixes

Enhancements

  1. Install / uninstall silent switches of popular software now comes pre-filled
  2. Option to enable or disable specific USB Devices has been included.
  3. Reports have been enhanced with an option to trim the column values and by including additional columns.
  4. Inventory Management, Software Deployment, Patch Management, and Remote Control modules have been internationalized completely.
  5. Option to exclude specific patches from being scanned has been included.
  6. Reports view enhanced to include navigation links at the bottom of the table.
  7. Custom Reports enhanced to include additional columns in the criteria
  8. Performance enhancements done for getting the software and hardware inventory details from the managed computers.

Bug Fixes

  1. Issue in exporting the reports to PDF format has been fixed.
  2. Case Sensitivity disabled in Domain Filter of SoM.
  3. Case Sensitivity check removed in Custom Group in Define Target section of Configurations.
  4. Servlet Exception is fixed in SoM.
  5. Office update Installation issues have been fixed.
  6. Number Format Exception in Inventory Computer Details page has been fixed
  7. Issues related to memory management have been fixed.
  8. Issue in displaying the left panel showing the list of reports when clicking the Custom Report has been fixed.

You can download the hotfix and install as per the instructions provided there.

To download complete product, which includes these enhancements, visit our website.

Software Installation Silent Switches Comes Pre-Filled

Silent switches for installing or uninstalling some of the popular software now comes pre-filled when you add a software package. You would just need to all your installable in a shared location and select the application. The installation and uninstallation arguments will get automatically added.

USB Device Management Included

Desktop Central's Secure USB feature allows you to selectively limit the scope of USB device usage, either restricting, blocking or allowing full use, depending on the individual user. This helps you to secure your network against data theft. The restriction can be set both at the computer and user level, providing you a complete control.

Exclude Selective Patches

The Patch Management module has been enhanced to exclude selected patches from being scanned. You can either exclude all patches of an application or any specific patch from being scanned. When you exclude a patch, it will not be shown as a missing patch for any of the managed computers and will also be excluded from the vulnerability calculation, thus showing a perfect health status of your computers.

I18N: More Languages Supported

Desktop Central has now been localized for all the languages. It has been completely tested to support all languages in the following modules: Inventory Management, Software Deployment, Patch Management, and Remote Control.

What's Cooking?

The features in our roadmap that are currently under development include:

  • Enhanced distributed architecture: Computers in remote locations will contact a master agent in that location, which will communicate with the Desktop Central Server to process the requests. Details>>
  • Enhanced User Access Control: Admin users of Desktop Central will be able to delegate more fine-grained access to Technicians to access specific features/modules of the product.     Details>>

Drive the Development

Please tell us about your immediate needs on Windows Desktop Management. We shall prioritize our development activities based on your comments/feedback.

 
© 2009 ZOHO Corp. All rights reserved. ManageEngine is a trademark of ZOHO Corp.
All other company and product names may be trademark of the respective companies with which they are associated.
 

 

AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - June 16, 2009) - ManageEngine, makers of a globally renowned suite of cost effective network, systems, security and applications management software solutions, today announced an update to Desktop Central, the company's web-based Windows Desktop Management Software, with new features designed to control usage of USB devices on desktops across the enterprise.

With the enhanced Desktop Central application, administrators gain an even greater ability to manage desktop security and compliance. Now, from the same familiar Desktop Central management console, administrators may:

  • Enable/Disable specific USB devices, such as portable hard drives, CD- ROM, Bluetooth, etc.
  • Create and apply policies regarding USB access based on employee roles and departments.
  • Generate comprehensive reports on policies and the users and computers that are governed by them.

The new features announced today join an extensive list of existing Desktop Central capabilities designed to maintain company policies and create ever-more-secure networks. For example, Desktop Central allows administrators to generate vulnerability assessments for better patch management; set user-specific desktop policies, disabling the Add/Remove Programs options in the Control Panel, for example; configure firewall settings to prevent unauthorized access; control and manage file and registry permissions; manage local user and group permissions; control Windows services; and detect and remove unauthorized software.

"Before Desktop Central, we had little to no knowledge of our enterprise's security and compliance picture," said Neil Schroeder, Director of Technology, Sioux City Community Schools. "Now we have strong reporting and management functions. We are now in a position to spend much less time running around in the dark trying to individually take care of machines. We have moved from being totally reactive to proactive."

"With the increasing use of portable USB devices, enterprises are constantly under threat of data theft and are focusing on security and compliance as it relates to these devices," said Mathivanan Venkatachalam, Director of Product Management at ManageEngine. "Desktop Central's Secure USB feature allows administrators to selectively limit the scope of USB device usage, either restricting, blocking or allowing full use, depending on the individual user. This will surely be a step toward protecting sensitive corporate data and also reducing the risk from viruses and spyware."

Availability and Pricing

The updated Desktop Central software is available now for download directly from the ManageEngine website at www.desktopcentral.com. ManageEngine offers a 30-day evaluation license of the Professional Edition, with pricing starting at $995 for 100 systems. A permanent Free Edition is also available for small businesses.

About ManageEngine

ManageEngine is the leader in low-cost enterprise IT management software. The ManageEngine suite offers enterprise IT management solutions including Network Management, HelpDesk & ITIL, Bandwidth Monitoring, Application Management, Desktop Management, Security Management, Password Management, Active Directory reporting, and a Managed Services platform. ManageEngine products are easy to install, setup and use and offer extensive support, consultation, and training. More than 30,000 organizations from different verticals, industries, and sizes use ManageEngine to take care of their IT management needs cost effectively. ManageEngine is a division of ZOHO Corporation. For more information, please visit www.manageengine.com.

Media Contact:
Greg Wise
Weber Shandwick, for ManageEngine
512-794-4716

Network Products Guide, an industry leading publication on information technologies and solutions, has named ManageEngine Desktop Central winner of the 2009 Best Products and Services Award.

This respected annual award honors products and services that represent the rapidly changing needs and interests of the end-users of technology worldwide. As part of the tech-industry’s leading global awards program, this year’s Best Products and Services were nominated from all over the world.

Best Product in Systems Administration

ManageEngine Desktop Central won Best in Systems Administration.  The application is capable of working across multiple network domains and wide area networks, providing software deployment, patch management, configuration management, asset management, service pack installation, remote control, system tools, user log-in and Active Directory reporting.

Cheers,
Ananth
www.manageengine.com/DesktopCentral
www.twitter.com/DesktopCentral

Hi Folks

Greetings.

This time its the similar request i discussed in my last blog, but in the Software Deployment module.    This query will help you to get the list of computers which don't have a specific software. We can call this as Software Exception Computer List :)

select Resource.NAME, Resource.DOMAIN_NETBIOS_NAME, InvComputerOS.OS_NAME, InvComputerOS.VERSION, InvComputerOS.SERVICE_PACK from ManagedComputer inner join Resource on ManagedComputer.RESOURCE_ID = Resource.RESOURCE_ID inner join InvComputerOS on Resource.RESOURCE_ID = InvComputerOS.COMPUTER_ID inner join InvComponent on InvComputerOS.COMPUTER_ID = InvComponent.COMPUTER_ID inner join InvSWInstalled on InvComponent.COMPONENT_ID = InvSWInstalled.COMPONENT_ID inner join InvSW on InvSWInstalled.SOFTWARE_ID = InvSW.SOFTWARE_ID where Resource.RESOURCE_ID Not IN (select Resource.RESOURCE_ID from ManagedComputer inner join Resource on ManagedComputer.RESOURCE_ID = Resource.RESOURCE_ID inner join InvComputerOS on Resource.RESOURCE_ID = InvComputerOS.COMPUTER_ID inner join InvComponent on InvComputerOS.COMPUTER_ID = InvComponent.COMPUTER_ID inner join InvSWInstalled on InvComponent.COMPONENT_ID = InvSWInstalled.COMPONENT_ID inner join InvSW on InvSWInstalled.SOFTWARE_ID = InvSW.SOFTWARE_ID where InvSW.SOFTWARE_NAME like "%Adobe%") group by Resource.RESOURCE_ID;

You need to replace the "%Adobe%" with the software you need to find where it is missing.

This will help in the scenarios, where you need to know the computers in which a particular software is not installed.

Cheers
Romanus

Hi Folks,

Here again for Query executor.  Trust me this is getting popular among desktop administrators for the reason it can get what they need to know about their network.

Now in to the subject, i'm going to present a query which can be used to find the computer list which was not scanned for inventory from a specific date.  This would be helpful during the internal/external auditing to check not-scanned computers and validate.  Please note, the date should be in mm/dd/yyy hh:mm:ss format.

Query to get unscanned computer list for inventory

select Resource.NAME, Resource.DOMAIN_NETBIOS_NAME, InvClientScanStatus.Last_successful_scan as LAST_SUCCESSFUL_SCAN_DATE_FORMAT  from ManagedComputer INNER JOIN Resource ON ManagedComputer.RESOURCE_ID = Resource.RESOURCE_ID Inner join invclientscanstatus on resource.resource_id = invclientscanstatus.resource_id where Last_successful_scan < DATE_TO_LONG(04/20/2009 00:00:00);

You need run this in the query executor.  Here are the instruction for those who try this for the first time.  Also, folks who don't see this option need to upgrade your build to the latest.  Contact support at desktopcentral-support@manangeengine.com

How to Execute?

  1. Goto Admin  Tab -> Tools table -> click on Query Executor
  2. Paste the given sql query in the text Area
  3. Click on Execute Query
  4. The result will be shown.
  5. You have the option to export the data into CSV File for further manipulation.

cheers
Romanus

Rename a Remote Computer using Desktop Central

Apr 13 2009 11:44:13 AM Posted By : romanus
Comments (0)

Hi Folks

Quick post on the latest request on Desktop Central forums. The requirement was on renaming the remote computer.

This functionality is not available with Desktop Central.  The Free windows tools from Desktop Central has various associated tools except remote PC rename.  So, Here is quick help with a script to rename one remote computer in the network which is under the Desktop Central Management.

How to use it?

Download and save the script.  Edit the first line "new-comp-name" value to change to your desired name.  Make sure it doesn't exceed 15 characters.

Download the Script and add it as a EXE software in Software Deployment.  Choose the reboot option while deploying the configuration.  This will rename the computer and reboot to come back with new name.

sNewName = "new-comp-name"

Set oShell = CreateObject ("WSCript.shell" )

sCCS = "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\"
sTcpipParamsRegPath = sCCS & "Services\Tcpip\Parameters\"
sCompNameRegPath = sCCS & "Control\ComputerName\"

With oShell
.RegDelete sTcpipParamsRegPath & "Hostname"
.RegDelete sTcpipParamsRegPath & "NV Hostname"

.RegWrite sCompNameRegPath & "ComputerName\ComputerName", sNewName
.RegWrite sCompNameRegPath & "ActiveComputerName\ComputerName", sNewName
.RegWrite sTcpipParamsRegPath & "Hostname", sNewName
.RegWrite sTcpipParamsRegPath & "NV Hostname", sNewName
End With ' oShell

Trust this helps.  Please let me know your comments and concerns.

cheers
Romanus

Hi

This blog is about the new feature introduced in Desktop Central.

The new feature is called Query Executor (available under Admin -> Tools -> Query Executor.  This feature is supported from build 60316.  If you don't see this feature you can contact the tech support).  You can use it as SQL query executor.  Being a initial version you can send in your requirement and get the query from the Desktop Central Support Team.  Later, this can be improvised according to the need.

Query Executor can be used to generate custom reports which are not available ready-made with DC and many more what you like to generate out of DC.  For example, regarding the conficker worm, how to get the list of computers where intended patch KB 958644 (Bulletin ID : MS08-067) is installed or computers where the patch is missing.  Below given is the query to achieve the task using DC Query Executor.

Query to get the list of computers where the patch - KB 958644 (MS08-067) is Installed
select resource.name, patch.patchid, patch.bulletinid, affectedpatchstatus.status from affectedpatchstatus inner join patch on patch.patchid = affectedpatchstatus.patch_id inner join resource on resource.resource_id = affectedpatchstatus.resource_id where BULLETINID="MS08-067" and status="Available";
Query to get the list of computer where the patch - KB 958644 (MS08-067) is Missing
select resource.name, patch.patchid, patch.bulletinid, affectedpatchstatus.status from affectedpatchstatus inner join patch on patch.patchid = affectedpatchstatus.patch_id inner join resource on resource.resource_id = affectedpatchstatus.resource_id where BULLETINID="MS08-067" and status="Missing";
Note :  The query will be executed on the last scan data.
Give a try and cast your opinion.
Cheers
Romanus

Hi Folk,

Great to see you all.

Tomorrow is April 1and there is a peril of Win32/Conficker worm.  Here is my findings when fiddling with this topic.

Win32/Conficker is a worm that infects other computers across a network by exploiting a vulnerability in the Windows Server service (SVCHOST.EXE). If the vulnerability is successfully exploited, it could allow remote code execution when file sharing is enabled. Depending on the specific variant, it may also spread via removable drives and by exploiting weak passwords. It disables several important system services and security products and downloads arbitrary files.

Microsoft Malware Protection Center (MMPC) has identified the following variants of Win32/Conficker:

*Also known as Conficker B++
**Also known as Conficker.C and Downadup.C

More information on this can be obtained from MS site.

The following MS links talks about the solution by applying the following patch updates.

  1. KB 890830
  2. KB 958644

These patches are released December'08 and January'09.  Desktop Central customers would have already applied the patches.  You can ensure this from Desktop Central Server web console -> Patch Management -> Missing Patches.  Use the search feature to check the KB articles and know the status of your network.

You have the provision to install the patches from the search result of missing patches.  Patch your network using Desktop Central and get protected from conficker worm.

cheers
Romanus

IT Consultant Partner Program

Mar 04 2009 04:31:55 PM Posted By : Mathivanan
Comments (0)

Recently we have launched a Partner program for IT Consultants, MVP and VARs. If you are doing consulting work in Windows Networking, Active Directory and Desktop Management then this program is ideal for you. What you have to do is get the prdouct training from us and recommend our product to your clients. If any of your clients agreed to purchase our product then you will be rewared immediately. No minimum target, you will be rewared from the first deal onwards. To get more details about this program visit

http://manageengine.adventnet.com/products/desktop-central/it-consultants-program.html

If you are a IT Consultant then register this program today !!!!

Automates Shutdown of Computers During Non-Office Hours; Generates Monthly Reports Used in Claiming Utility Rebates

AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - January 27, 2009) - ManageEngine, makers of a globally renowned suite of cost effective network, systems and security management software solutions, today announced an update to Desktop Central, the company's web-based Windows Desktop Management Software, with new features designed to help enterprises reduce the level of power consumed by PCs. The updated Desktop Central allows administrators to virtually eliminate unnecessary power consumption, reducing their company's carbon footprint and its energy bills, while generating revenue through power-usage reporting, which is key to claiming rebates from local utility companies.

Desktop Central's power management feature allows IT administrators to standardize the power settings of all computers across the network at once from a central management console. Through Desktop Central, administrators may:

--  Create and apply different power schemes to various types of users
-- Hibernate or standby idle computers automatically
-- Schedule shutdown of computers during non-office hours
-- Schedule system start-up just prior to users arriving at work
-- Generate system uptime reports to claim rebates.

"With corporations focused on 'Go Green' initiatives and coping with tough economic times, saving energy and saving money are priorities," said Mathivanan Venkatachalam, director of product management at ManageEngine. "One of the easiest ways to cut expenses is to effectively reduce the power consumption of the computers in the organization. Desktop Central's Power Management helps enterprises save big on energy bills and protect the environment by reducing the amount of work that power plants must do, much of which produces harmful byproducts, such as air pollution and disruption of natural habitats."

Availability and Pricing

The updated Desktop Central software is available now for download directly from the company's website at http://manageengine.adventnet.com/products/desktop-central/index.html?prjan09. ManageEngine offers a 30-day evaluation license of the Professional Edition. A permanent Free Edition is also available for small businesses. The annual subscription price for the Professional Edition starts at $995 for 100 systems.

About Desktop Central

Desktop Central is a complete Desktop Management Software that provides Software Deployment, Patch Management, Service Pack Installation, Asset Management, Remote Control, Configurations, System Tools, User Logon Reports and Active Directory Reports. It is a network-neutral solution that can be used to manage desktops in Active Directory, Workgroups, or other directory services based network like Novell® eDirectory. It can manage computers in multiple domains and can also manage computers across WAN (branch offices).

About ManageEngine

ManageEngine is the leader in low-cost enterprise IT management software. The ManageEngine suite offers enterprise IT management solutions including Network Management, HelpDesk & ITIL, Bandwidth Monitoring, Application Management, Desktop Management, Security Management, Password Management, Active Directory reporting, and a Managed Services platform. ManageEngine products are easy to install, setup and use and offer extensive support, consultation, and training. More than 30,000 organizations from different verticals, industries, and sizes use ManageEngine to take care of their IT management needs cost effectively. ManageEngine is a division of AdventNet, Inc. For more information, please visit www.manageengine.com.