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As a system administrator, you have a lot on your plate when it comes to the management of your IT infrastructure. This job includes tasks such as maintaining software and hardware, security enforcement, installing updates, and keeping the network running smoothly. If you’re looking to streamline your IT management on a Mac, you’ll need the right set of tools. In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to the best 6 system administrator tools for a Mac that will improve your productivity, reduce your workload, and make your job easier.
Video Tutorial:
What Are System Administrator Tools for Mac?
Mac system administrator tools are a set of software programs that help IT professionals manage their systems and networks. They provide features such as monitoring, automation, analytics, security, and reporting. These tools enable users to streamline IT workloads, improve productivity, and reduce the risk of system failure. They also come with features like backups, remote control, file sharing, and more.
There are many system administrator tools for Mac available, but not all of them are created equal. Some come with limited features that support only a few systems, while others may not work on the latest Mac operating system. To help you choose the best system administrator tools for Mac, we have prepared a list of the top 6 that are reliable, widely used, and that can handle all your Mac IT management needs.
Best 6 System Administrator Tools for Mac
Below we have detailed the best 6 system administrator tools for Mac, including an overview, key features, and their pros and cons.
Top 1: SolarWinds RMM
SolarWinds RMM is an easy-to-use remote monitoring and management tool for IT professionals. It allows businesses to easily manage IT tasks and efficiently monitor their systems and networks. SolarWinds RMM provides features such as automated patching, proactive maintenance, NOC services, and disaster recovery. Additionally, it comes with antivirus, web protection, and email security. It has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to manage multiple clients from one place.
Pros:
– Easy to use
– Includes a broad range of features
– Allows automation, monitoring, and reporting
– Offers a free trial
Cons:
– Expensive compared to other solutions
– Advanced features may require additional setup
Pros & Cons:
| FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Pricing starts at $69 per month | User-friendly interface | High |
Top 2: ManageEngine OpManager
ManageEngine OpManager is a well-designed network monitoring and management software that allows system administrators to monitor servers, networks, and applications. This tool provides fast and accurate data that helps you identify issues before they occur. It also offers automated workflows, customizable dashboards, and integrations with third-party tools. The ManageEngine OpManager features include: network devices analysis, bandwidth monitoring, application performance monitoring, server monitoring, and custom alerts.
Pros:
– Provides efficient and comprehensive analysis
– Offers automated workflows
– Includes customizable dashboards
– Good customer support
Cons:
– Expensive compared to other solutions
– Steep learning curve
– Setting up complex features can be challenging
Pros & Cons:
| FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Pricing starts at $595 per year | Complex interface | Moderate |
Top 3: Synology Surveillance Station
Synology Surveillance Station is a flexible and powerful surveillance solution that can help you monitor your office or home from a remote location. This software provides a set of tools and features that help you manage the video surveillance system, including management of cameras, live video feeds, recordings, and playback. Synology Surveillance Station supports up to 64 cameras and a wide range of camera brands. It also has email notifications, mobile access, and custom alerts.
Pros:
– Affordable
– Easy to use
– Minimal setup required
– Offers email notifications and mobile access
– Good customer support
Cons:
– Limited features compared to more expensive solutions
– No free trial offered
Pros & Cons:
| FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY |
|---|---|---|---|
| No | Free with Synology NAS, or starting from $59 | Easy to use | High |
Top 4: Nagios Core
Nagios Core is a popular open-source monitoring tool that allows system administrators to monitor their entire IT infrastructure, including servers, network devices, and applications. However, it requires some technical skills to set up, but once it’s up and running, it can be an excellent system administrator tool for Mac. Nagios Core features include customizable dashboards, email notifications, plugins, and reporting.
Pros:
– Open-source
– Customizable dashboard
– Scalable
– Many plugins are available
Cons:
– Difficult to set up and configure
– The default interface is complex
– Limited automated features
Pros & Cons:
| FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Free | Difficult to set up | High |
Top 5: Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9
Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 is a powerful antivirus, firewall, and anti-spam software suite that provides comprehensive security for Mac OS X. This system administrator tool for Mac provides excellent malware detection and removal features, parental controls, and backup. The software is easy to use and can be configured for multiple users.
Pros:
– Easy to use
– Comprehensive malware detection and removal
– Offers parental controls
– Provides backup
Cons:
– Expensive compared to other solutions
– May slow down lower-end systems
– No free trial offered
Pros & Cons:
| FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY |
|---|---|---|---|
| No | Pricing starts at $69.99 per year | Easy to use | High |
Top 6: Parallels Desktop
Parallels Desktop is a virtualization software that allows you to run Windows and other operating systems on your Mac. This system administrator tool provides an easy way to switch between Mac and Windows applications. It also allows you to run multiple virtual machines on one computer, and its advanced tools and features make it an excellent system administrator tool for Mac. It has a user-friendly interface, integrates with Mac drag-and-drop function, and supports Windows updates.
Pros:
– User-friendly interface
– Easy to use
– Allows you to run multiple virtual machines
– Supports Windows updates
Cons:
– Expensive compared to other virtualization software
– Limited support for integrated graphics cards
– May slow down lower-end systems
Pros & Cons:
| FREE TRIAL | PRICE | EASE-OF-USE | VALUE FOR MONEY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Pricing starts at $99.99 per year | User-friendly interface | High |
Our Thoughts on System Administrator Tools for Mac
Choosing the right set of system administrator tools for Mac can be challenging because there are many software programs to choose from. The best solution depends on your specific IT management needs. SolarWinds RMM is the best for overall IT management, ManageEngine OpManager is the best in its network performance management, Synology Surveillance Station for CCTV monitoring, Nagios Core is the go-to for advanced monitoring and Nagios plugins availability, Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 is the best for comprehensive Mac security, and Parallels Desktop is the best for running virtual machines.
Our recommendations are based on the features, cost, ease of use and overall value offered by each solution. Before making a decision, evaluate your IT management needs, and assess each product’s capabilities to determine which one meets your requirements.
FAQs
Q1: Is SolarWinds RMM suitable for small businesses?
A: Yes, SolarWinds RMM is suitable for small businesses because it includes features that support the management of multiple clients from one place.
Q2: What is the difference between Nagios Core and Nagios XI?
A: Nagios XI is a paid version of Nagios Core that has additional features such as a web-based user interface and integrated configuration wizards. Nagios Core is open-source and requires more setup and configuration.
Q3: Can Synology Surveillance Station record audio?
A: Yes, Synology Surveillance Station can record both video and audio.
Q4: Can I use Parallels Desktop with any operating system?
A: No, you can only use Parallels Desktop with operating systems that are supported by the software. Check the supported operating systems before purchasing.
Q5: Is the Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 compatible with the latest version of Mac OS X?
A: Yes, Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 is compatible with the latest version of Mac OS X. Check the system requirements before purchasing.
In Conclusion
Managing an IT infrastructure on a Mac can be challenging, but with the right set of tools, it can become much easier. In this blog post, we have introduced the best 6 system administrator tools for Mac that can help you streamline your IT management tasks. Our recommendations include SolarWinds RMM, ManageEngine OpManager, Synology Surveillance Station, Nagios Core, Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9, and Parallels Desktop. Choose the best solution that suits your IT requirements and budget.