Best known for remote control software, NetSupport recently broadened its product portfolio with the addition of an integrated suite of network management tools called NetSupport DNA (Dynamic Network Administration).

Aimed at the small to medium-sized enterprise, the product provides hardware and software inventory facilities with local application and internet access metering. Software distribution is another option, along with remote control and an optional web-based helpdesk.

The NetSupport package is limited to managing Windows PCs and servers on TCP/IP networks, so companies with Linux/Unix systems will need to look elsewhere. A Windows NT/2000/2003 host is also required, as is access to a SQL Server 7 or SQL Server 2000 database. The cut-down MSDE (Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine) implementation can be used, but is not included with the software and must be sourced from elsewhere.

Installation is pretty painless, with the option of installing the server software and management console on the same system or separately.

Client software needs to be installed on each PC and server to be managed, but the server is able to search for and identify suitable targets using TCP/IP and Windows Netbios scans. Client software can then be distributed and installed remotely, except on older Windows 95/98 clients, which have to be set up from the CD-ROM or via a network share and login script.

The collection of hardware and software inventory information is a core feature, and very well implemented. The data collected is not as comprehensive as with some systems, but key hardware components such as CPU, memory and disks are correctly identified with Bios details. Software recognition was also good, with the ability to identify service pack updates and hot fixes.

On the downside, the console interface takes a little getting used to, though administrators should quickly master how to drill down from summary information to detail. It is also possible to organise systems into groups to manage both collection parameters (chiefly collection frequency) and the way information is displayed.

A query tool is included, with the ability to define dynamic groups based on specific parameters. Using this we were quickly able to identify systems that required hot fixes and memory updates.

Inventory information can be summarised and graphed on screen, with a Crystal Reports engine to generate reports for printing or export in a variety of formats, including pdf. It is not possible to customise reports or define new ones (apart from with ad hoc database queries), though, and only a limited number of predefined reports are provided.

Software distribution options are similarly disappointing, allowing only the ability to create packages of files and folders with manually entered setup commands. Administrators can always add tools to copy an existing installation or automate a new one, but other management suites include these as standard.

Elsewhere the application metering works fine, as does the internet metering tool, which is unusual for a management suite of this kind. Using this we were able to allow or block access to specific URL lists, redirecting browsers to a specific address when blocked and controlling access via a proxy server.

Remote control is an optional extra and comes in two guises: the full NetSupport Manager tool, and a cut-down implementation that offers just core functionality. Neither is integrated into NetSupport DNA - both are added as required, and can be replaced by other third-party applications.

A web-based helpdesk application completes the package. This is optional and not fully integrated, but it can access inventory information stored on the SQL server and has all the basic features expected of such an application.

Price: £25.20 + VAT per user

Contact: NetSupport 01778 382 270