IBM offers free management tool

Furthering its aim to make PC and server management more accessible for administrators, IBM released a free piece of agent software that offers more detailed information concerning the state of a machine and also allows managers to access systems via the Web.

The latest tool, called the Universal Management Agent (UMA), is the latest component in an Advanced Manageability Alliance effort on the part of IBM and Intel to offer easy tools for managing networked PCs and server systems.

The new tool is available for free download on IBM's Web site.

With UMA installed, a machine can become more responsive to an administrator's concerns, according to IBM. For instance, the agent can intercept alerts and provide them to a network manager via email or automatically initiate a backup of a machine, if necessary.

The agent integrates with Intel's LANDesk suite of management tools as well as IBM's own Netfinity Manager software. It also runs on Desktop Management Interface (DMI) and Wired for Management-compliant desktops and servers.

For advanced management functions, UMA also interoperates with IBM subsidiary Tivoli Systems' Enterprise and NetView applications, as well as Microsoft's Management Console (MMC) and Systems Management Server (SMS) 1.2.