Ability to use the Linux agent as a scanning agent for the Network Discovery
Ability to use the Linux agent as a scanning agent for the Network Discovery
abigael abigael
shared this idea
-
Lorenz
commented
I would strongly support this.
For many environments, a dedicated Linux system would actually be a much better platform for the Network Discovery scanner than a Windows machine.
A typical deployment could be a small Linux VM, mini PC, or lightweight appliance whose only purpose is to perform Network Discovery for a customer site. Requiring Windows for such a dedicated infrastructure component adds unnecessary overhead, resource requirements, licensing, patching, and maintenance.
Linux would be particularly suitable for this use case because it can run completely headless with very low resource requirements and can easily be deployed as a small VM or appliance.
Since the underlying discovery functionality relies heavily on standard network scanning technologies such as Nmap, supporting Linux as a Network Discovery scanning agent would seem like a natural fit.
Ideally, the existing Atera Linux Agent could simply be assigned the Network Discovery role, just as a Windows agent can today.
This would allow scenarios such as:
* Dedicated Linux Network Discovery VM per customer/site
* Small Linux appliance or mini PC for branch offices
* Discovery scanner inside a management or server VLAN
* Fully headless deployment without requiring a Windows desktop/server
* Easier automated deployment of discovery nodesEspecially for MSP environments, having to maintain a Windows machine solely for Network Discovery is unnecessary when a lightweight Linux VM could fulfill that role much more efficiently.