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Audit and inventory of computers in Active Directory

In today's digital age, organizations rely heavily on their computer networks to carry out day-to-day operations. As these networks grow in size and complexity, it becomes increasingly important to keep track of all the devices connected to them. This is where Active Directory auditing comes into play. In this article, we will explore what Active Directory auditing is, why it is important, and how Total Network Inventory can help streamline the process of inventory of computer equipment in Active Directory environments.

What is Active Directory Auditing?

Active Directory (AD) is a directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It is used to store information about the network's users, computers, and other objects. AD auditing is the process of tracking and logging changes made to objects in Active Directory. This includes changes to user accounts, group memberships, computer accounts, and other AD objects.

Why It is Important?

AD auditing is essential for several reasons:

  • Security: By monitoring changes made to AD objects, administrators can detect and investigate suspicious activities, such as unauthorized access attempts or changes to user permissions. This helps maintain the security of the network and protect sensitive data.
  • Compliance: Many industries have regulations that require organizations to maintain detailed records of their IT systems. AD auditing helps ensure compliance with these regulations by providing a trail of all changes made to the network.
  • Troubleshooting: When issues arise on the network, AD audit logs can be used to identify the root cause of the problem. By reviewing the changes made to AD objects, administrators can quickly pinpoint the source of the issue and take corrective action.
  • Optimization: AD auditing can also help administrators identify areas where the network can be optimized. By analyzing the audit of computer system usage, administrators can make informed decisions about resource allocation, user permissions, and other aspects of the network.

Software Solutions for Audit and Inventory

While AD auditing can be performed manually, it is a time-consuming and error-prone process. Fortunately, there are software solutions available that can automate the process of Active Directory computer inventory and make it much more efficient. One such solution is Total Network Inventory.

Who is This Solution For?

Total Network Inventory is designed for organizations of all sizes that need to keep track of their Active Directory computers. Whether you have a small office with a dozen computers or a large enterprise with thousands of devices, TNI can help streamline the process of inventory Active Directory computers.

What Tasks Does this Software Solve?

Total Network Inventory is a comprehensive solution for active inventory of computers in Active Directory environments. It can perform the following tasks:

  • Scan the network: TNI can quickly scan the network and collect detailed information about all the devices connected to it, including computers active in Active Directory.
  • Inventory of a computer: The software can collect detailed information about each computer on the network, including hardware specifications, installed software, and more.
  • Reporting: Based on the collected data, Total Network Inventory can generate a variety of reports that can be exported to popular formats with just a few clicks.
  • Network mapping: The software includes a network mapping tool that can help visualize the structure of the network and identify potential issues.
  • License management: Total Network Inventory includes an advanced licensing module that can help organizations keep track of software licenses and ensure compliance with licensing agreements.

Scanning Computers Connected to Active Directory

To start scanning computers connected to Active Directory, you first need to specify an organizational unit (OU) from your Active Directory domain and click the start button. Total Network Inventory will then scan the network and collect information about all the devices that meet the specified criteria. The scan time depends on the number of devices on the network, but typically takes no more than a few minutes.

Total Network Inventory can provide detailed information about each device on the network, including:

  • Network adapter details: Model, MAC address, IP address, gateway, and hostname.
  • Peripheral devices: Keyboards, mice, printers (including network printers), and connected USB devices.
  • Installed software: Operating system, version, installation date, system updates, and license information.
  • Security information: Antivirus, firewall, and antispyware software, as well as the status of antivirus database updates.
  • Startup programs, shared resources, running processes, and user accounts.

More Details About Active Directory Scanning

Before starting the scanning process, you need to configure the synchronization of Total Network Inventory with Active Directory. This is done by going to the settings menu and specifying the domain controller. You can also configure other audit settings, such as what to synchronize (computers or users) and what actions to take on computers that were discovered on the network but not found in Active Directory.

After adding the list of scan tasks and specifying the nodes to be scanned, the scanning process can begin. For Active Directory, the nodes can be specified using the IP address or the name of the domain controller with the "AD:" prefix (e.g., "AD:10.0.0.1" or "AD: server name"). The generated report will contain information from the "Location" and "Description" columns if the domain administrator has filled out these details.

Once the scanning process is complete, some devices may appear in the program as stubs. These are created for computers that were found in Active Directory but were not scanned. Only basic information will be displayed for such computers, including the description, location, and OS version. These stubs can be rescanned later to obtain complete information.

Implementation of Audit and Inventory Results

The advantages of computer in auditing are numerous. With TNI, administrators can quickly and easily perform an active directory computer assets list and gain valuable insights into the state of their network. The software's reporting capabilities make it easy to generate detailed reports on hardware and software inventory, security status, and more.

These reports can be used to identify potential issues and optimize the network for better performance. For example, by analyzing the activities of computer auditing, administrators can identify computers with outdated software or security vulnerabilities and take corrective action before they become a problem.

Furthermore, the network mapping feature in Total Network Inventory provides a visual representation of the network, making it easier to understand its structure and identify potential bottlenecks or areas for improvement.

Purchase Total Network Inventory 6 Professional

If you're looking for a comprehensive solution for Active Directory inventory of computers, Total Network Inventory 6 Professional is the perfect choice. With its advanced features and intuitive interface, Total Network Inventory makes it easy to keep track of all the devices on your network and ensure that your IT infrastructure is secure, compliant, and optimized for performance.

Some of the key features of TNI 6 Professional include:

  • Automated network scanning and discovery
  • Detailed hardware and software inventory
  • Customizable reporting and alerting
  • Network mapping and visualization
  • Software license management
  • Remote device management

Whether you're a small business owner, an IT administrator, or a managed service provider, Total Network Inventory 6 Professional has the tools you need to streamline your Active Directory computer hardware listings process and take control of your network.

To learn more about TNI 6 Professional and purchase a license, visit the SoftInventive website today. With Total Network Inventory, you can achieve a new level of efficiency and security in your IT operations and focus on driving your business forward.

 

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