Being a system administrator is a challenging job. It involves long hours, unexpected issues, and a lot of troubleshooting.

But it doesn't have to be difficult. That's why we've put together this list of must-have tools to help you streamline your work and focus on what matters.

We've covered a lot about system administration lately, including what a sysadmin does and some helpful subreddits. But one thing every sysadmin needs is tools that make their day-to-day tasks easier.

By "easier," we mean tools that help with:

➔   Writing notes

➔   Saving files

➔   Communicating with your team

➔   Analysing network protocols

➔   Managing passwords

➔   Automating repetitive tasks

➔   And more

Let's get into the article and explore these essential tools!

Top Tools to Simplify IT Automation

mRemoteNG

Overview: mRemoteNG is a powerful open-source tool that provides a multi-protocol remote connection manager. It allows system administrators to manage various connections from a single interface, which is perfect for managing diverse IT environments.

Key features:

• Supports various protocols, including RDP, VNC, SSH, and etc.

• Tabbed interface for managing multiple sessions.

• Securely store and manage connection details.
  

Why it's great: mRemoteNG simplifies the management of various remote sessions, making it easier to switch between different systems and protocols without needing to open multiple tools.

 

Attune

Overview: Attune is a robust IT automation tool streamlines system administration tasks. It integrates with various IT systems to automate routine processes, allowing administrators to focus on more strategic tasks.

Key features:

• Automated workflows for routine tasks.

• You run scripts across multiple servers at once.

• Attune Community Edition is available for free.
  

Why it's great: Attune enhances productivity by automating repetitive tasks and integrating seamlessly with other IT systems, making it a valuable asset for any system administrator.

 

ISPConfig3

Overview: ISPConfig3 is a popular open-source hosting control panel that enables system administrators to manage multiple servers through a single interface. It's especially useful for managing web hosting environments.

Key features:

• Multi-server management from a single control panel.

• Comprehensive support for web, mail, DNS, and database services.

• User-friendly interface with extensive configuration options.
  

Why it's great: ISPConfig3 simplifies the management of complex hosting environments, providing an intuitive interface for managing multiple services and servers efficiently.

 

Mosh

Overview: Mosh (Mobile Shell) is a remote terminal application that enhances the SSH experience by providing better performance over unreliable networks. It's particularly useful for system administrators working remotely or on unstable connections.

Key features:

• Resilient to network interruptions.

• Improved responsiveness compared to standard SSH.

• Mobile-friendly with support for intermittent connectivity.
  

Why it's great: Mosh ensures a stable and responsive remote session, even over unreliable connections, making it ideal for administrators who need to manage systems on the go.

 

AutoSSH

Overview: AutoSSH is a tool that automatically restarts SSH sessions and tunnels if they drop or fail. This is crucial for maintaining uninterrupted connections in critical systems.

Key features:

• Automatically reconnects SSH sessions and tunnels.

• Provides monitoring and logging of connection status.

• It is configurable to restart connections based on specific criteria.
  

Why it's great: AutoSSH ensures that your SSH connections remain stable and reliable, reducing downtime and maintaining seamless access to remote systems.

 

PuTTY

Overview: PuTTY is a popularly used SSH and telnet client for Windows that provides secure access to remote systems. PuTTY is popular for its easy-to-use user interface.

Key features:

• Supports SSH, telnet, and serial connections.

• Lightweight and easy to use.

• Customise settings for different connection needs.
  

Why it's great: PuTTY is a reliable and easy-to-use tool for creating secure remote connections, making it an essential choice for many system administrators.

 

A Quick Guide to the IT Automation Tools

 

 

Summing up

Dealing with the IT world doesn't have to be complicated. These tools are your reliable allies in improving the efficiency of your work. So grab your stuff, get started, and let these tools do their job.