Octobits Blog – As with lots of other open-source resources, the RMM software open source solutions are a cost-effective and flexible alternative to proprietary software.
The great thing about open-source RMM software is you can monitor systems, networks, and devices remotely, which is perfect for small to medium-sized businesses in Australia.
This move towards open-source tools shows we’re not just looking for cheaper solutions, but also want more transparency and customisation in IT management.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Using Open Source RMM Software
Advantages
There are lots of great reasons why open-source RMM software is a great choice for Australian businesses, especially those looking for cost-effective solutions.
Open-source RMM software like Zabbix and Nagios Core is completely free.
This makes it perfect for small to medium-sized businesses that don’t have the budget for expensive commercial RMM solutions.
Another big plus is that open-source RMM tools can be tailored to suit your needs.
These tools let businesses tweak and tailor the software to fit their exact needs.
Zabbix is a great example of this. It’s highly customisable, with the ability to integrate scripts written in Ruby, Perl, PHP, and Java, making it versatile for various monitoring and management needs.
This flexibility means Australian companies can adapt their monitoring processes to suit their own business goals, which is really valuable in the fast-changing startup environment.
Another big plus is the large community support.
Open-source RMM tools like Nagios Core and Zabbix have lots of active users, so organisations can get lots of help and advice from other people who use the software.
Disadvantages
There are a few things to be aware of if you’re an Australian startup using RMM software open source.
One big downside is you need to know your way around tech.
Open-source tools often require a good understanding of coding or system administration to fully utilise and troubleshoot them, which is different from commercial solutions that often provide comprehensive customer support.
Take Nagios Core, for instance. It’s highly regarded in the industry, but it does require a lot of technical expertise.
The other thing to watch out for is the security aspect of open-source RMM tools.
The “Guide to Securing Remote Access Software,” by CISA, NSA, and other US agencies points out that these tools are flexible, which makes them attractive targets for cyber threats.
Because open-source RMM software might not always set off security alarms, it can be used by bad guys to move laterally within networks.
This could be a big problem for small businesses who might not have very strong cybersecurity measures in place.
So, Australian startups need to be on their toes when it comes to security. Things like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and regular audits can help to keep risks to a minimum.
Another downside is you might not realise how much it’s costing you to maintain and customise the software.
While the software itself is free, the time and resources needed for setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting can become a burden for smaller teams.
Top Open Source RMM Software Solutions
Zabbix
Zabbix is a well-known name in open-source monitoring. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a comprehensive monitoring solution with a lot of features.
It can monitor networks, endpoints and software, so it’s a great choice for a wide range of IT environments.
There are 33 Zabbix contributors on GitHub and the software has 4,200 stars, which shows that it’s being actively developed and supported.
It’s really flexible, with support for lots of different operating systems and lots of useful features like an audit trail, custom reporting and data visualisation.
These features are perfect for businesses looking to get detailed and see what’s going on.
Nagios Core
Nagios Core is often seen as the original open-source system monitoring software. It offers lots of ways to monitor networks, endpoints and cloud services.
Nagios Core is the foundation for many other RMM solutions. It’s been around long enough to prove itself as a reliable choice.
You can install it on Unix, Linux, or macOS systems, and it’s great for monitoring virtual systems, network devices, and endpoints.
Nagios Core has a strong presence on GitHub with around 1,500 stars and 80 contributors.
It’s got a big library of free plug-ins, so it’s really versatile for all kinds of monitoring needs.
Icinga
Icinga, which is based on Nagios, has made a name for itself in the open-source monitoring space.
Icinga is a great option, especially if you’re looking for something other than Nagios.
The good news is you can use all your existing Nagios plug-ins with Icinga, so it’s a smooth transition for users who are already familiar with the Nagios ecosystem.
Icinga is developed by a big community of users, as shown by the 2,000 stars and 268 contributors on GitHub.
Icinga might take a bit more time to learn than some other options, but its flexibility and powerful monitoring capabilities make it a great choice for organisations looking for a customisable solution.
OpenNMS
OpenNMS Horizon is an open-source network management platform that’s been designed with large-scale networks in mind.
It lets you keep an eye on networks, servers, and apps in real time, and it can monitor all kinds of systems in different environments.
The free version, OpenNMS Horizon, has all the network management functionality you could need.
OpenNMS is a pretty good hit with the open-source community, with 951 GitHub stars and 126 contributors.
So, even though OpenNMS Horizon is still in beta, its full feature set and active development mean it’s a great choice for organisations looking for a scalable and adaptable open-source RMM solution.
Pandora FMS
Pandora FMS is another flexible RMM solution that’s great for multi-platform support.
Pandora FMS lets you find and fix problems quickly, and scale them from any source: on-premises, multi-cloud, or a mix of both.
Pandora FMS is great at adapting to different IT environments, which makes it perfect for businesses that need comprehensive and flexible monitoring.
There are already 441 stars and 43 contributors on GitHub, which shows how quickly this RMM software open source is growing.
Zenoss Core
Zenoss Core is another open source monitoring solution that’s worth a look. It offers unified monitoring and management for IT infrastructure.
Zenoss Core can monitor networks, servers, applications and storage, and also manage events and analyse why things go wrong.
The model-driven approach and powerful visualisation tools in Zenoss Core are great for organisations that want to get a complete picture of their IT environment.
Zenoss has 37 stars and 36 contributors on GitHub. The issue is that Zenoss stopped offering its open-source product in 2022.
Unfortunately, you can’t use Zenoss Core or Zenoss Community Edition. You might want to give Zenoss Cloud a try instead.
Learn more: Mac RMM Software Made Easy: Which One Should You Choose?
NEMS Linux
NEMS Linux is a streamlined and pre-configured monitoring system based on Nagios Core, making it a go-to solution for IT administrators.
It’s simple and efficient, so it’s a great choice for smaller businesses or IT departments that want a straightforward, ready-to-use RMM solution without the need for lots of customisation.
NEMS Linux is more than just a “pre-installed Nagios Core distro.”
It’s an entire Linux distribution built around providing a powerful and feature-rich Nagios-based appliance. On GitHub, this open-source RMM tool has 10 stars and 24 followers.
Features of RMM Software Open Source
One of the main things it does is let businesses keep an eye on how their IT systems are doing in real time.
Zabbix is great for showing you what’s going on in real time, so you can respond to issues quickly.
Another essential feature of many open-source RMM tools is patch management.
Effective patch management is crucial for maintaining security and ensuring that systems are up to date.
Tools like OpenNMS Horizon include automated patching, which helps organisations keep their systems secure without the need for manual intervention.
Another great feature is the ability to create custom reports and data visualisations.
For example, Nagios Core has lots of features and there are loads of plugins you can use with it, which you can get from Nagios Exchange.
This means users can extend the software’s abilities and adapt it to their particular monitoring requirements, such as keeping an eye on cloud services or remote endpoints.
Another great thing about open-source RMM solutions is that they can be integrated with third-party tools.
For example, Zabbix connects to other systems to get performance data, which makes it a great tool for businesses that need to monitor lots of different platforms or environments.
Learn more: 2024’s Best RMM Software: Simple Pricing, Real Features, Zero Gimmicks
How to Choose the Right Open Source RMM Software
Picking the right open-source RMM software is a big decision. There are a few things you need to think about.
So, the first thing you need to do is think about your technical expertise and support needs.
Make sure you look at what the software can do and see if it meets your company’s needs.
Yes, make sure you choose software with the essential functionalities you need, like infrastructure monitoring, alerting, and remote access.
Next, think about how easy it is to adapt the software to suit your needs and how scalable it is.
Open-source RMM tools like Zabbix and Icinga are flexible enough, so businesses can adapt the software to suit their needs.
If you’re planning to scale up or expand your operations, it’s really important to choose a solution that can grow with your business.
It’s a good idea to look for RMM software that offers multi-site monitoring, like Zabbix or OpenNMS Horizon. This will be really useful as your business grows.
And don’t forget to keep an eye on how big the software community is and what it’s up to.
A lively community means the software will keep getting better, with new features and fixes, and there’ll always be support available.
That’s why GitHub is a pretty important factor when you’re looking for open-source RMM tools.
Also, make sure you choose an RMM software open source solution with built-in security features or one that can integrate with existing security systems.
Or you can set up a solid authentication process, like MFA, and make sure the software is always up to date to keep your network safe from potential threats.
It’s also a good idea to look at the software’s features and how well they fit with your business goals.
For instance, if patching is a big concern, make sure the RMM tool you pick has automated patching features. That’s why we think Octobits could be a great fit for you.
Octobits is a SaaS spend management software to support your IT department manage your SaaS licences more easily and in a more streamlined way.
What does that mean for you?
Integrating Octobits with RMM tools gives your business a complete view of its software ecosystem.
It puts device management, billing, and reporting all in one place on a single dashboard.
This makes it easier to manage lots of different IT services, and it also improves your security and reduces costs.
What’s more, Octobits works with all the big names in IT, including Microsoft 365, AWS, and Datto Autotask.
And here’s the best bit: Octobits is free until December 2024. So, now is the perfect time to give your IT management strategy a boost.
In Closing
Picking the right open-source RMM software is all about striking the right balance between cost, features, scalability, and security.
That’s why it’s a good idea to look at each tool’s features, what’s good and bad about them, and how easy it is to adapt them to your needs.
That’s why Octobits is also on hand for you 24/7, ready to help you navigate the many aspects of choosing RMM software open source.
