There's a lot of excellent software out there that's free,
all you need to do is download it, install it and there you go. We aim to
provide links here to freeware that we have either tried ourselves, or has been
recommended to us by users. ExtraLAN offers no
warranty, support, or accept any liability for these products, but simply
provide links to the author's site from where you can download it
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If there's a
Freeware
product you would like to recommend to fellow Network Professionals simply
enter the product name and URL where it can be downloaded from in the text
box, a brief description or comments would be
useful. If you want to be
credited with it's recommendation then fill in some optional contact
details. You will be returned back here after
submitting the form.
NB Recommending a freeware product does
not imply any endorsement of the product other than you
have tried it and found it really
useful and malware/trojan/virus free.
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Freeware sections
Connectivity,
Internet tools,
Misc software,
Network Management & NetflowTools,
Security,
Internet based services
Connectivity and OS
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UBUNTU |
Ubuntu is a community developed,
Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and
servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser,
presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and
much more. |
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Knoppix |
KNOPPIX is a bootable CD with a collection
of GNU/Linux software, automatic hardware detection, and support for many
graphics cards, sound cards, SCSI and USB devices and other peripherals.
KNOPPIX can be used as a Linux demo, educational CD, rescue system, or
adapted and used as a platform for commercial software product demos. It
is not necessary to install anything on a hard disk. Due to on-the-fly
decompression, the CD can have up to 2 GB of executable software installed
on it. |
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Wine |
Wine is an Open Source implementation of
the Windows
API on top of X,
OpenGL, and Unix.Think
of Wine as a compatibility layer for running Windows programs. Wine does
not require Microsoft Windows, as it is a completely free alternative
implementation of the Windows API consisting of 100% non-Microsoft code,
however Wine can optionally use native Windows DLLs if they are available.
Wine provides both a development toolkit for porting Windows source code
to Unix as well as a program loader, allowing many unmodified Windows
programs to run on x86-based Unixes, including
Linux,
FreeBSD,
Mac OS X, and
Solaris. |
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SAMBA |
Access your Unix/Linux filseystems from
your Windows workstations. Samba is an
open source software suite that provides seamless file and print
services to SMB/CIFS clients. Samba is freely available under the
GNU General Public License |
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Tight VNC |
TightVNC is an improved version of VNC, great free
remote-desktop tool. The improvements include new bandwidth-friendly
"tight" encoding, local cursor support on the client side, enhanced GUI,
many bugfixes, and more. |
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Putty |
PuTTY is a free implementation of Telnet and optional SSH
for Win32 platforms. |
Checkout our portfolio of great licensed
products
Diagnostic and Management Tools,
Cross Platform Connectivity, Windows
Server Management, e-learning
and Network Security.
Internet Tools
Apache Webserver
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The Apache HTTP Server Project is an effort
to develop and maintain an open-source HTTP server for modern operating
systems including UNIX and Windows NT. The goal of this project is to
provide a secure, efficient and extensible server that provides HTTP
services in sync with the current HTTP standards. |
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Firefox Browser |
Firefox empowers you to browse faster, more
safely, and more efficiently than with any other browser. Join more than 2
million others and make the switch today—Firefox imports your Favourites,
settings and other information, so you have nothing to lose. |
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Opera
Browser |
The award-winning Opera Web browser: The
coolest, fastest, and most secure free Web browser available. Try it now
to see just how great your Internet experience can be. |
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Filezilla |
FileZilla is a fast FTP and SFTP client for
Windows with a lot of features. FileZilla Server is a reliable FTP server
for Windows.. |
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Thunderbird |
Thunderbird is Mozilla's next generation
e-mail client. Thunderbird makes emailing safer, faster, and easier than
ever before with the industry's best implementations of features such as
intelligent spam filters, a built-in spell checker, extension support, and
much more. |
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Mozilla Suite |
Web-browser , advanced e-mail and newsgroup
client, IRC chat client, and HTML editing made simple -- all your Internet
needs in one application. |
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Eudora Light |
Eudora Light is the freeware version of the
Eudora Pro Email client, and is available for Macintosh, Windows, and
Newton. If you have any questions about the product, see the Technical Support
page. |
Checkout our portfolio of great licensed
products
Diagnostic and Management Tools,
Cross Platform Connectivity, Windows
Server Management, e-learning
and Network Security.
Misc Software
|
Password Safe |
Password Safe is
an extremely useful and compact password
database utility. Users can keep their passwords securely encrypted on
their computers. Includes a password generator.
A single Safe Combination unlocks them all.
Runs directly from the executable so you can put it on a memory stick and
carry it around, or if you use a couple of PC you can just copy the
database. |
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KeePass |
KeePass is a free, open-source,
light-weight and easy-to-use password safe for Windows. You can store your
passwords in a highly-encrypted database locked with one master key or
key-disk. Requires installation so not as portable as
password safe |
Unified Messaging
FAX/Voice to Email gateway |
Your own personal FAX/Voice numbers which
will zip and forward FAXs or voicemails to your desired email address. Now
get your FAXs/Voicemails wherever you receive your email. Can also be
configured to forward to incoming FAX/Voice call to other landline numbers
should you be on the move by using the comprehensive web interface. All of
this is completely free of charge to you the end user. |
Weblog
Expert Lite |
WebLog Expert Lite is a free
log analyzer, light-weight version of WebLog Expert. It allows you to
quickly and easily analyze your log files and get information about your
site's visitors: activity statistics, what files visitors accessed,
information about referring pages, search engines, browsers, operating
systems, and more. |
Windows SysInternals |
Sysinternals has a whole host of free tools available to help you figure
out what is going on behind the scenes on you Windows system. Tool
categories include. File and Disk Utilities,
Networking Utilities, Process Utilities,
Security Utilities, System Information,
Miscellaneous Utilities. |
Faststone
Image Viewer |
An image browser, converter
and editor that supports all major graphic formats including BMP, JPEG,
JPEG 2000, GIF, PNG, PCX, TIFF, WMF, ICO and TGA. It has a nice array of
features such as image viewing, management, comparison, red-eye removal,
emailing, resizing, cropping, color adjustments, musical slideshow and
much more. |
Gadwin Printscreen |
Want to create a screenshot
suitable for saving or printing? Then just hit a key on your keyboard.
There are several hotkey combos to choose from (PrintScreen is the
default). Once you've chosen your favorite combo, head to the Destination
tab and have the screen print out instantly, copy the capture to the
clipboard, save it to a specific folder, or even send it through e-mail.
You can perform full screen captures, or only capture a specific window.
There are also six different image formats to choose from, and each one
can be resized. With all the customization capabilities, what more could
you ask for? |
Rename Master |
Rename Master is a FREE
utility for renaming large groups of files with a few clicks. Anyone that
has worked with websites, file archives, or collections of music, videos,
or pictures has probably spent way too much time renaming hundreds of
files.
This utility will add, remove, or replace parts of the filename with ease
and also supports renaming via file properties, MP3 tags, JPEG JFIF and
EXIF tags. Batch renaming that's simple to use, yet still very powerful. |
Open Office |
OpenOffice.org
2
is the leading open-source office
software suite for word processing, spreadsheets,
presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is
available in many languages and works on all common computers.
It stores all your data in an international open standard format
and can also read and write files from other common office software
packages. It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge
for any purpose.
If you're used to using other office suites - such as Microsoft Office -
you'll be completely at home with OpenOffice.org |
Checkout our portfolio of great licensed
products
Diagnostic and Management Tools,
Cross Platform Connectivity, Windows
Server Management, e-learning
and Network Security.
Network management
Tools, NetFlow Analyzers and Toolsets
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Opmanager |
OpManager simplifies network
management by proactively alerting operators of network and service
degradations to prevent failures. OpManager also offers critical
visibility into the performance of the network and helps in SLA tracking,
capacity planning and ensuring optimal resource usage. It automates the
chore of network management and allows your skilled administrators to
focus on strategic projects. Integrated fault
and performance management across Networks, Systems and Applications .
Or purchase a license and get many additional features.
Details here
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AdventNet NetFlow
Analyzer |
AdventNet NetFlow
Analyzer is a web-based bandwidth monitoring tool that uses Cisco
NetFlow™ technology to gather valuable information about the traffic on a
network. It is an ideal tool for enterprise IT who need to understand the
who, what, when, and where of network traffic.
Or purchase a license and get many additional features.
Details here |
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Scrutinizer
NetFlow Analyzer |
Scrutinizer Netflow
Analyzer is a web-based bandwidth monitoring tool that uses
Cisco NetFlow™ technology to gather valuable information about the traffic
on a network. It is an ideal tool for enterprise IT who need to understand
the who, what, when, and where of network traffic.
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Network Notepad |
Network Notepad is a freeware program for creating
interactive network diagrams with user definable management features such
as point and click telnet.
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Eventlog Analyzer |
EventLog Analyzer
is a web-based event management solution that collects, archives, and
reports on event logs from distributed Windows and UNIX hosts. EventLog
Analyzer helps organizations meet host-based security objectives,
including delivering reports required by HIPAA, SOX, and GLBA regulations.
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Event
Sentry Light |
EventSentry Light
is the official successor to EventwatchNT and the freeware version of
EventSentry. It is a NT/Win2k/XP service which sends you eventlog messages
by email. Extremely efficient and reliable, no reboot after installation
required. Now also monitors services! Upgrade to EventSentry for full
functionality.
Or purchase a license and get many additional features.
Details here
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Kiwi Syslog Daemon |
A Freeware Windows Syslog Daemon that
receives, logs, displays and forwards Unix type Syslog messages from hosts
such as Routers, Switches, UNIX hosts and PC's. Many custom options.
Includes PIX firewall TCP support and LinkSys home firewall SNMP support.
Service edition available. Registered version has additional features.
Runs on Windows 2000, 2003 and XP.
Or purchase a license and get many additional features.
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Kiwi
CatTools |
Freeware Network Management & Device
Configuration Tools. Runs as a Service. CatTools is a utility for managing
routers switches & other network devices. Provides automated configuration
backups, password changes & scripted configuration commands. Multiple
device types supported (Cisco/Foundry/Extreme/HP/3Com). Runs on Windows
2000, 2003 and XP. Interactive or Service
Editions available.
Or purchase a license and get many additional features.
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Wireshark |
Wireshark is an award-winning network
protocol analyzer developed by an international team of networking
experts. It allows you to examine data from a
live network or from a capture file on disk. You can interactively browse
the capture data, viewing summary and detail information for each packet. |
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DNSeye |
DnsEye is monitoring network traffic by capturing Domain Name System DNS
packets in network and displays the host names resolve information. The
program allows to monitor requested URLs in network, to open it in browser
and save captured DNS name list in the file. The tool is designed with a
user-friendly interface and is easy to use |
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DHCPexplorer |
DhcpExplorer tool allows you to discover
DHCP servers on your local subnet or LAN. This is useful for locating
servers that are not supposed to be on your network ( rogue DHCP servers )
as well as checking the expected output of known servers. DHCP Explorer
broadcasts on the local physical subnet to find available DHCP servers.
The tool is designed with a user-friendly interface and is easy to use. |
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Oputils |
OpUtils is a comprehensive set of 40+
unique system and network monitoring tools. This web-based software helps
network engineers monitor, diagnose and troubleshoot their IT resources.
Also has freeware mode with a limited set of tools
Details here |
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Axence
NetTools |
The free version of
NetTools - a great solution for host monitoring, measuring your
network performance, and quickly diagnosing network problems. It consists
of the four most powerful tools from the Professional version: NetWatch
(host monitoring) with graphical multiping, a history of response time and
percentage of packets lost for monitoring host availability, ping, fast
trace (full trace in 1 second), and lookup. What makes NetTools unique,
according to our customers, is the fact that it has the most highly
intuitive user interface.
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Big Brother |
Big Brother monitors System
and Network-delivered services for availability. Your current network
status is displayed on a colour-coded web page in near-real time. When
problems are detected, you're immediately notified by e-mail, pager, or
text messaging. Big Brother is provided in
source code format for Unix and Linux, and precompiled for Windows NT and
Windows 2000. User contributed clients are also available for Netware, Mac
OS/9, VMS, AS/400 and VM/ESA. Free for non-commercial use |
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MRTG |
The Multi Router Traffic
Grapher (MRTG) is a tool to monitor the traffic load on network-links.
MRTG generates HTML pages containing GIF images which provide a LIVE
visual representation of this traffic. MRTG is based on Perl and C
and works under UNIX and Windows NT. MRTG is being successfully used on
many sites around the net.
MRTG Admin guide |
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DIG and other DNS tools |
A collection of useful,
mostly unix based tools for auditing and debugging your DNS. The
site that you download these from is the most complete DNS reference site
on the Internet. Click
here for the DNS Resource Directory homepage
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Servers Alive |
Servers Alive is a network
monitor program. It can monitor any Winsock service, ping a host/machine,
check if an NT Service/process is running, check the available disk space
on a server, check a Netware server, retrieve an URL or check a MS SQL or
Oracle database. When any of these is down, it can warn you in various
ways, including sending you an email (SMTP) saying what is down, or paging
you with a numeric or alphanumeric warning. Servers Alive supports host
dependency, such that when one host goes down, all host dependant on that
host can also be flagged as down. For ease of use, the program can also be
easily interrogated using a TELNET client and/or a web browser.
The program can monitor up to 10 hosts in the unregistered version
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NetworkCatcher Lite |
Network Catcher, from Shunra Software, is a free network monitoring tool
that records and displays latency and packet loss between your PC and any
internet site. Use this freeware tool to monitor the quality of your
network
link. You can save all your recordings and send it to another user via
email. Network Catcher also integrates with Shunras network simulation
technology, enabling you to capture and import production conditions
directly into network simulation scenarios and test
applications
under real-life network conditions. Network Catchers production network
recordings are also ideal for baselining the performance of the production
network, including best case, worst case and average application
performance giving you a great starting point from which to make informed
decisions on performance limitations and expectations for new or existing
applications that are about to be deployed over the network. Using
production network parameters is ideal for testing applications when the
target network already exists, such as a companys corporate network or a
customers network. However, if the target network has not yet been
designed or built out, you can record a variety of different production
networks and create a library of production network conditions which you
can then use to test your applications and ensure that that they meet
performance expectations in any potential network environment.
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| IPv4
Subnet Calculators |
IP Subnet calculators take
all the brainwork out of subnetting or supernetting your IP network
numbers. They will calculate the number of subnets, or hosts for a given
subnet mask and give you a list of subnet, broadcast and host addresses.
Get the
SolarWinds Subnet
calculator FREE, download and
install this one,
|
| IPv6
Subnet Calculators |
Get the n3k
IPv6 subnet calculator.
or this
alternative |
Spiceworks |
You
want IT management software that works for you, not software that
makes you work. You wish you could have it... without spending a fortune.
Your wish is granted.
Introducing the free Spiceworks IT Desktop. Designed, tested and
used by 60,000 IT pros in 180 countries. Spiceworks has the
everyday IT features you need:
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Whois Ultra |
AnalogX WhoIs is a GUI
application that goes out on the net and looks up domain registration
information. How is this useful? Well, there's several uses for this
particular tool; first and foremost is identifying whether or not a domain
has already been registered. WhoIs also will let you enter already
registered domains and return the administration/owner contact
information, in case you want to contact the people directly |
Checkout our portfolio of great
licensed products
Diagnostic and Management Tools,
Cross Platform Connectivity, Windows
Server Management, e-learning
and Network Security.
Security
|
PC Tools
firewall |
PC Tools Firewall Plus
is a powerful free personal firewall for Windows® that protects your
computer by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your
computer through the Internet or a network. By monitoring applications
that connect to the network Firewall Plus can stop Trojans, backdoors,
keyloggers and other malware from damaging your computer and stealing your
private information.
PC Tools Firewall Plus is advanced technology designed especially for
people, not just experts. Powerful prevention against attacks and known
exploits is activated by default while experienced users can optionally
create their own advanced packet filtering rules, including IPv6 support,
to customize the network defenses. All you need to do is install it for
immediate and automatic ongoing protection. |
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Nessus
Network Security Scanner |
The Nessus® vulnerability scanner,
is the world-leader in active scanners, featuring high speed discovery,
configuration auditing, asset profiling, sensitive data discovery and
vulnerability analysis of your security posture. Nessus scanners can be
distributed throughout an entire enterprise, inside DMZs, and across
physically separate networks. |
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NMAP
The Network Mapper |
nmap is a utility for port scanning large
networks, although it works fine for single hosts. The guiding philosophy
for the creation of nmap was TMTOWTDI (There's More Than One Way To Do
It). This is the Perl slogan, but it is equally applicable to scanners.
Sometimes you need speed, other times you may need stealth. In some cases,
bypassing firewalls may be required. Not to mention the fact that you may
want to scan different protocols (UDP, TCP, ICMP, etc.). You just can't do
all this with one scanning mode. And you don't want to have 10 different
scanners around, all with different interfaces and capabilities. Thus I
incorporated virtually every scanning technique I know into nmap. Vanilla
TCP connect() scanning, TCP SYN (half open) scanning, TCP FIN, Xmas, or
NULL (stealth) scanning, TCP ftp proxy (bounce attack) scanning, SYN/FIN
scanning using IP fragments (bypasses some packet filters), TCP ACK and
Window scanning, UDP raw ICMP port unreachable scanning, ICMP scanning
(ping-sweep), TCP Ping scanning, Direct (non portmapper) RPC scanning,
Remote OS Identification by TCP/IP Fingerprinting, and Reverse-ident
scanning. |
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Security Manager Plus |
Security Manager Plus is a network security
scanner that proactively reports on network vulnerabilities and helps to
remediate them and ensure compliance. With vulnerability scanning, open
ports detection, patch management and vulnerability reporting
capabilities, Security Manager Plus protects the network from security
threats and malicious attacks. |
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Patchquest |
PatchQuest is an automated patch
management software for distributing and managing security patches,
hotfixes and updates across heterogeneous networks comprising of Windows,
Red Hat Linux and Debian Linux systems, in just a few simple clicks.
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AVG AntiVirus |
AVG Free Edition. Basic antivirus
protection for Windows available to download for free. Limited features,
no support, for private and non-commercial use only. |
ProxyPlus
Free 3 user license |
Proxy+
is a program that runs on a workstation or a server with MS
Windows9x,
Windows NT, Windows ME or
Windows 2000 and a connection to the Internet. Proxy+
works as firewall proxy server and mail server. All workstations can use
Proxy+
services via the TCP/IP protocol.
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WebWasher |
WebWasher is a powerful filter program for Web pages,
originally developed by Siemens: it is installed on your PC or server as
an add-on to your browser. Unwanted content - such as advertising - is not
even loaded via the network. WebWasher also avoids unnecessary reloading
of web objects and de-animates images. This saves you up to 45% of the
data which are transmitted. Your browser displays Web pages practically
free of advertising. Free for personal use
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Checkout our portfolio of great
licensed products
Diagnostic and Management Tools,
Cross Platform Connectivity, Windows
Server Management, e-learning
and Network Security.
Internet based Services
|
Whois |
Web based Whois service |
|
AuditmyPC.com |
Audit your firewall with a free online
Firewall Test, Port Scan and Privacy Test that provides immediate results
designed to promote security awareness and help secure your firewall. Scan
all 65,535 ports! |
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ShieldsUP |
The Internet's quickest,
most popular, reliable and trusted, free Internet security checkup and
information service. Easily check your system here, and begin learning
about using the Internet safely.
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DSLReports |
DSL
reports has a few free tools that can test your Internet connection speed,
scan for open ports etc.
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Numion |
Another
site that can measure your internet connection speed. This one display a
bunch of images from user selectable locations, e.g UK, US, Worldwide |
Checkout our portfolio of great licensed
products
Diagnostic and Management Tools,
Cross Platform Connectivity, Windows
Server Management, e-learning
and Network Security.
|