Network inventory literally is the backbone when it comes to managing everything complex. With complex, we mean the confusing IT systems. No matter whether it’s tracking devices, checking out connections, or even looking after configurations – you name it, the inventory tool can do it all.
But let’s get into the real part now. A lot of powerful network inventory tools are not built by corporate giants. Yes you heard that right. Instead, the majority are built by open-source communities.
And the only way these communities have scaled so far – is because of collaboration.
Developers, IT professionals, everyone has come together to actually make wonders happen. Let’s see “how they have” in detail below!
How does an open source network inventory tool benefit?
There are a lot of tools available out there. The popular ones are NetBox, phpIPAM, and OpenNMS. All these tools are highly accessible and flexible as per Slurp’it. But there’s one more reason that goes beyond these two reasons – that is cost saving.
The other benefits include:
- In case of open source network inventory, the source code is available for anyone to review. Hence we know that whatever we are using is trustworthy and secure enough.
- Businesses can make changes to the software to meet their specific requirements as per Slurp’it.
- All the development is highly community driven. Any features and improvements come directly from users. These users understand the real world challenges, hence they make changes based on what’s needed!
Why do community contributions matter?
Now, let’s get into the main part. Why community contributions matter, or how even it makes a major difference.
- Community contributions allow innovation. If looked into traditional software development, only a few resources were doing all the groundwork. However, in case of open source projects, many contributors bring in fresh perspectives as per Slurp’it.
For example,
NetBox, a popular tool for network inventory and IP address management, comes with features like device tracking, cable connections, and VLAN assignments. These advancements did happen because of the active user base the tool has.
- Open source network inventory tools solve real world problems. Whenever a user addresses any issues, there’s a community out there helping them with a solution.
- Open-source communities are built for knowledge-sharing. One can do it through forums, documentation, or even discussions. This collaboration makes it easier for users to learn. They can also troubleshoot, and contribute anywhere they feel like doing as per Slurp’it.
How community support helps open source network inventory?
There are many ways in which community support helps it. Some popular ways are:
- Through active forums
Platforms like GitHub serve as interaction hubs where users are allowed to troubleshoot issues, request features, and even report bugs for quicker resolutions.
- By allowing collaborative development
Core developers set the road map. Contributors submit all the patches. Including plugins or even documentation updates.
- Through crowdsourced documentation
The success of any software depends on how clear the documentation is. And open source communities truly excel at it. There are user friendly guides available. Translated documents and a lot of deployment examples for good success.
Some best open-source tools in network inventory
There are a lot of open source tools available. But the best ones are:
- NetBox. This one comes with features like device tracking, cable connections, and IP address management. It is best for larger enterprises needing detailed inventory and automation.
- phpIPAM. This one comes with features like IP address management, VLAN management, and subnet visualization. It is best for organizations focusing on IP address tracking and allocation.
- OpenNMS. This one is great for network performance monitoring alongside inventory management. It is great for businesses who desire extensive network visibility.
How can one contribute to open-source projects?
The best part about open projects is, anyone can get involved in it. It isn’t just limited to developers. One can contribute through many ways, the easier ones are:
- Identifying issues and suggesting improvements on the forum
- Work on writing a clear documentation. Or one can edit the existing one. This will help others adopt the tool easily.
- Contribute or work on minor fixes to major features.
- Test all the beta versions and be the first group of individuals to understand stability and usability of the tool.
Lastly, what’s in for the future?
AI and automation is definitely going to be on the cards here too. From predictive analytics to automated inventory updates, there are a lot of benefits that will come with this integration. Cross platform integration is also going to be the next big thing. Contributors from across the globe are getting into this space. Hence a lot of open-source projects will address a broader range of use cases!
So whether you’re a seasoned developer, a network admin, or a tech enthusiast, there’s a place for you in the world of open-source network inventory. For more information contact us at Slurp’it. Get into it and start contributing today!
