Monitors critical components of your Windows server and instantly sends email alerts and text message to your cell phone. Windows Server Monitor gives IT administrator the ability to pro actively monitor critical health and performance parameters such as Windows Services, CPU Usage, Disk Usage, Network Usage and Memory Usage. Windows Server Monitor works on all Windows platforms. With Windows Server Monitor, you’ll always know the status of your server, no matter where you are.

Company: AdminTown
Website: http://www.admintown.com/WSMHome.aspx

What type of application can you create with rDirectory?

• Enterprise Resource Directory – employee directory, skills search, organization navigation
• Employee self service – password reset, group self subscription, edit personal info
• Enterprise and departmental phonebooks
• Account Creation – this can be locked down to certain personnel
• Helpdesk tools such as password and account management
• Group Subscriptions
• and much more

Take advantage of Namescap’s offer to download a free trail of rDirectory

Installation

rDirectory is a simple installation. If you have the system requirements installed, rDirectory can be installed in less than 2 minutes. I’ve been very impressed with Namescape’s documentation. Their documentation includes a quick install guide, which consists of 4 easy steps to install the application. Or you can use the complete installation guide that includes screenshots every step of the way. I’m a visual learner so using the screenshots was very helpful.

Once the software is installed, the Namescape Site Manager is launched immediately.  This is where you will input your license for the software. The site manager can be launched at any time to manage the licenses of any Namescape product you may have installed. The site manager is also used to configure the authentication mode, notifications, logging and designer role.  The Site Manager is located in Start | All Programs | Namescape | Site Manager.

Creating a Web based Active Directory Application.

In my evaluation, I created a simple search application. A search application allows you to search any object in active directory. It will then display it in an easy to read format. I followed the guide in the rDirectory manual and added some fields of my own. Again, I’m very impressed with Namescape’s documentation. It’s made the implementation and configuration of the software a very smooth process.

Above is a screenshot of the app I created. It will display all the username, phone, email, city and state of all the users in Active Directory.  I can even give employees permissions to update their own information. The application can also be locked down so only certain employees have access to it. For example if you created a search directory just for HR, you may not want other departments accessing the app.

Template Based Account Provisioning

Here is an example of Template-Based Account Provisioning with rDirectory.  You can set required fields (ie: emp ID, etc), data integrity controls like regular expressions (ie: phone numbers) or drop down pick lists (titles, dept, locations, etc).  You can also set the template to auto populate fields based on defined criteria.  For example, if I select the Dallas office, this Template will automatically put the user into certain Distribution Lists, Security Groups, the Correct Mailstore/OU, etc.  If I select Teacher/Staff/HR/Sales/Admin/Marketing, it can also affect certain group memberships or display only the corresponding Titles to choose from, etc.  It can also provision other resources at the same time (ie: Exchange Mailbox, Home Folder, even an OCS account).

This Template-Driven Account Provisioning in rDirectory is web-based and can be delegated to users without native permissions to create accounts in AD (possibly HR users).  It is extremely flexible, which allows you to create the templates exactly the way you want.  This helps to speed up, consolidate, and standardize the entire process whether it’s delegated to non-IT staff or not.  Just like with any other app in rDirectory, changes are logged in a full audit log, and special email notifications can be set up

Features

●     Web Based Online Directory – A pre-configured, out-of-the-box search application leverages your existing Active Directory identity data to create a fully functional corporate white page solution.

●     Composable Application Design – Build any number of customized, template-based searches, detailed web applications and create designs specifically to meet the needs of your organization

●     Enable users to update personal information without requiring additional rights or privileges.

●     Data Integrity – Enforce account profile consistency with advanced compliance controls such as validation expressions, object selectors and multi-tiered pick lists.

●     Role Based Access – Control delegated access with flexible and powerful roles, rather than traditional group-based access.

●     Template Based Object Creation – Standardizes object creation by predefining both mandatory and optional attributes, ensuring accuracy and consistency.

●     Account Provision – Automatically create new accounts with any group or other directory relationship already defined.  Extend these provisioning capabilities even further, with the optional Microsoft Exchange and Home Folder provisioning agents.

●     Notification and Auditing – Configurable email notifications and audit logs to ensure accounts cannot be created, modified or deleted without a complete record of the change

●     AD LDS Support – rDirectory provides rich, identity management applications for AD LDS (formerly known as ADAM), without requiring Active Directory’s extensive infrastructure.

System Requirements

• IIS 6.0 or higher
• .Net Framework 3.5 SP1
• Active Directory 2000, 2003 and 2008 running either native or mixed mode
• If the default IIS website is using port 80, you will need to change rDirectory to use a different port such as port 8080

Summary

How often do you delete or update users Active Directory Accounts? Do you spend hours writing powershell or vscripts trying to pull data out of Active Directory. Well no more do you have to pull your hair out writing those long custom apps. Harness the power of Active Directory by using rDirectory. A web based solution that lets your build your own Active Directory apps, that requires no program skills what so ever. Keep it simple, save time, and finally utilize the data in Active Directory with Namescaps’s rDirectory.Take advantage of Namescap’s offer to download a free trail of rDirectory.

You can also request a demo and have a technical expert answer any of your questions.

• Restricting simultaneous sessions
• Limiting user access to the network
• Providing administrators with remote session control, alert options and advanced reporting for session analysis.

UserLock significantly reinforces Windows infrastructures security by giving network administrators the ability to:

• Implement and enforce efficient restriction and access policies for Windows networks (LAN and WAN)
• Be alerted when specific events occur (accepted logins, denied logins…) by user or user group
• Remotely log off or lock a user session
• Monitor in real time all connections on the network
• Automatically log activity and generate comprehensive session reports and statistics

Company: IS Decisions
Website: http://www.isdecisions.com/products/userlock/

Used in free mode ADTB has two limitations: some times a dialogbox will appear and you cannot customize the title bar.

Company: Gourami
Website: http://www.activedirectorytelephonebook.com

Company: Namescape Corporation
Website: http://www.namescape.com/Products/rDirectory.aspx

Softerra Adaxes guarantees high-performance user lifecycle managementachieved with cross-domain Active Directory management facilities, granularly distributed role-based security, streamline user provisioning, administrative tasks automation, and approval based workflow. Centralizing AD management, Softerra Adaxes ensures controlled access to Active Directory resources not only from any web-browser, but also from a convenient windows-based admin console.

Company: Softerra, Ltd.
Website: www.adaxes.com

JiJi ADR supports the following report category

1. User Reports
2. User Logon Reports
3. Password Reports
4. Group Reports
5. Computer Reports
6. Exchange Reports
7. GPO Reports
8. OU Reports
9. Security Reports
10. NTFS Reports
11. Other Reports
12. User Account Status Reports
13. Contact Reports
14. Container Reports
15. Service Connection Point(SCP) Reports
16. Schema Reports
17. Printer Reports
18. Trust Relationship Reports
19. Terminal Services Reports

Company: JiJi Technologies
Website: http://www.jijitechnologies.com/jiji-active-directory-reports.aspx

Company:TechToolbox
Website: http://techtoolbox.com/index.php/active-directory-management-console

By Mark Russinovich
Website: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896649

Nowadays, more and more organizations are using a password management product that allows the end users to securely manage their passwords and resolve account lockouts. Often, the biggest challenge is finding a solution that is both secure and self sufficient (e.g., it allows self-service management that minimizes helpdesk integration).

I have recently had the pleasure of evaluating a password manager product called NetWrix Password Manager. NetWrix Password Manager is a simple solution that gives the end users the ability to reset their forgotten passwords, troubleshoot account lockouts and unlock their accounts manually, through a secure web based interface, or a windows application that integrates with the Windows logon procedure.

Installing and Configuring NetWrix Password Manager
Installing NetWrix Password Manager was a quick, simple five-minute install process. Password Manager does require .Net 2.0 and IIS 6.0 or higher to be installed to complete the installation. You will also need to supply a service password that has rights in Active Directory to reset and unlock accounts. NetWrix provides a QuickStart guide that walks through getting Password Manager Setup and configured. The install is incredibly easy— once you run the install package and click next a few times, you are done and ready to start using the product. But in my experience, it’s always best to review the product installation or setup guide just to make sure you meet the products system requirements.

Once the product is in installed you may want to go into the administrator portal to change some of the default settings. NetWrix Password Manager gives you the flexibility to customize the application to better suit your organization’s needs. You have the options of defining a password policy, creating custom verification questions, or even branding the portal interface with a company logo or support phone number. You can also configure notifications to be sent on certain events such as when a user enrolled or when a user unlocked their account.

Enrolling Self Service for Users

Before end users can start managing their own passwords and account issues they have to enroll their account. This can be done in three ways: manual enrollment, automatic enrollment or a profile preload. During my testing I did a manual enrollment and it took only five minutes to complete. From my workstation I just opened my browser, typed in the portal address and clicked on enroll. I then followed the prompts which consisted of entering my account name, password, and answering the predefined questions. Once I was enrolled I then had the ability to reset, unlock and change my password all through the self-service portal, and even better, without having to pick up the phone and call helpdesk.

Screenshot of Enrollment

The automatic enrollment requires a client to be deployed to all workstations. This requires a little more effort up front but once deployed, users will be atomically presented with the enrollment box. If your company uses remote deployment software such as Microsoft’s System Center this can be an easy step.

The last enrollment option uses an import utility that will import user’s information in the password manager program. This option requires existing data for the user, which is expected but does take some time gathering that info and putting it into the proper format for importing.

Unlocking/Resetting User account

NetWrix Password manager gives you two methods to reset, unlock and change your user account password. The two are methods are by using the self service web portal and via the Windows logon prompt extension.

I tested this feature by using the self service web portal. I first chose to reset my password, so I opened up my browser and entered in the address to the self service portal (ideally this would be saved as a favorite or a shortcut be placed on the all users desktop). At the self service portal I clicked reset, typed in my account name and clicked next. I then answered the two verification questions and clicked next, once my questions where verified I was then able to enter in a new password. Pretty simple in about 1-2 minutes I had reset my password all on my own.

Screenshot of Self Service Portal

Next I tested unlocking my own account. First I made sure my account was indeed locked out in Active Directory Users and Computers. I then went to the self service portal and selected to unlock my account. Entered my account name hit next, answered the two verification questions, and once verified my account was unlocked. I went back into Active Directory Users and Computers and verified my account was indeed unlocked.

I was able to perform these tasks without the need of the helpdesk. It was a very simple and quick process.

Product Features

• Uses Secure Question and Answer System
• Gives end user the ability to Reset and Unlock their own accounts
• Ability to seamless integrate with the standard windows logon prompt
• Enforced user Enrollment
• Prevents Unauthorized Use

Summary
The task of managing user accounts and passwords is a time consuming and daunting task for helpdesk staff. This task is one of the most common reasons users call the helpdesk and results in more resources and work for the entire company. A better more efficient solution that allows end users to manage their own account unlock and password resets can be extremely beneficial. NetWrix Password Manager provides this solution with an easy, secure and simple deployment method. Reduce helpdesk calls, increase user productivity, and enhance security with NetWrix Password Manager.