GLPI Inventory – What’s the difference between the native, the plugin and the GLPI Agent toolbox

Since GLPI 10, we have added three new tools for companies willing to manage and keep track of security and investments on IT assets like computers, servers, monitors, printers and, software programs, for example.

Companies of various sizes must manage the assets, so they might plan correctly the lifecycle of purchase, usage, maintenance and/or disposal correctly and effectively. Imagine if an IT department can keep track of the number of computers or monitors there are to be fixed and how many should be bought the next year.

Native GLPI Inventory

The native inventory is the fundamental functionality at the heart of GLPI. It acts as a central hub for managing and tracking IT assets, covering everything from hardware and software to user accounts and basic inventory information.

You will always start here. The native inventory serves as the foundation, addressing basic inventory needs like tracking the number of computers that need attention or planning for new hardware acquisitions.

The GLPI Native Inventory lays the groundwork, providing the essential structure for all things asset management in GLPI.

GLPI Inventory Plugin

Think of the plugin as an extension that enhances GLPI’s inventory capabilities. It steps in when you require more advanced features such as detailed hardware and software information, network discovery, and robust reporting – ideal for medium to large organizations with complex IT infrastructure.

You will deploy the plugin when your IT landscape becomes intricate, demanding network discoveries, scheduled tasks, SNMP inventory, or software deployment. It’s the toolkit for handling the complexities of a dynamic IT environment.

The GLPI Inventory plugin expands GLPI’s functionality, introducing advanced features and additional capabilities beyond the native inventory.

GLPI Agent Toolbox

The GLPI Agent toolbox introduces an agent software deployed on client devices to collect detailed information. It serves two primary purposes: replacing certain GLPI Inventory plugin features like network discovery and inventory support via scheduled tasks, and providing real-time data from devices in challenging network environments.

You will turn to the toolbox when you need to supplement or replace features provided by the GLPI Inventory Plugin, particularly in scenarios where direct GLPI access is restricted, such as strongly segmented DMZs or isolated VLANs. It’s your go-to for detailed, real-time information and proactive monitoring.

The toolbox offers more reliable inventory data, more tools to manage inventory tasks, reduces manual data entry, facilitates proactive monitoring, supports remote inventory and tasks in isolated or secured network environments.

When to Choose

The native inventory is the cornerstone, always part of your GLPI infrastructure. The GLPI Inventory Plugin and GLPI Agent Toolbox are able to extend some GLPI’s capabilities to address advanced tasks, such as network discovery and inventory in segmented DMZs and VLANs, and provide solutions for restricted or challenging network environments. 

Your choice depends on your organization’s specific requirements, the complexity of your IT infrastructure, and the need for enhanced features that go beyond the native inventory’s capabilities.

Useful Links

Video content:

00:00 – GLPI Inventory, Plugin, and Agent Toolbox

00:28 – Native GLPI Inventory Features

04:40 – New Types of Assets

06:20 – GLPI Partial Inventory

08:34 – Pictures in Assets

09:45 – GLPI Inventory Plugin

11:39 – GLPI Agent Toolbox

15:02 – Which one should you choose?

New Plugin: PowerDNS

We would like to announce a new plugin – PowerDNS – available via our professional offers ! From the level “Basic” in GLPI Network Subscriptions (on-premise):

Plugin Features:

Import and manage domains/records from and to PowerDNS by using GLPI interface. We use PowerDNS API to retrieve these objects and insert them in the corresponding GLPI tables.

On plugin first installation and when configuration is done, we import all domains and records from PowerDNS to GLPI. Then, we keep them synchronized with the help of a GLPI crontask.

More, every actions done on GLPI side on related objects will be replicated on PowerDNS side. Domains deleted or updated, records deleted or updated, etc.

Screenshots:

Find the subscription brochure here: https://glpi-project.org/wp-content/uploads/EN.pdf

On GLPI Network Cloudhttps://glpi-network.cloud/ 

Documentation for this plugin can be found by clicking this link: https://plugins.glpi-project.org/#/plugin/powerdns 

You can test this plugin (and all other GLPI Network plugins) on your GLPI Network Cloud demo instance. 

Kind regards,

Introducing Gapp by TICGAL – Your Seamless Mobility Companion for GLPI”

Teclib’ is happy to announce that GLPI Gold partner in Spain TICGAL launched an app called Gapp, a revolutionary new mobile application designed to seamlessly integrate with GLPI (Gestionnaire Libre de Parc Informatique). Gapp stands out as an essential tool for businesses and individuals looking to manage their IT resources efficiently and effectively.

Free Download Available Now

One of the most compelling features of Gapp is its accessibility. TICGAL is proud to offer Gapp as a free download available on the Google Play Store. This means that users can immediately benefit from its wide range of functionalities without any upfront cost.

Key Features and Benefits

  • Seamless Integration with GLPI: Gapp is specifically designed to work in tandem with GLPI, ensuring a smooth, hassle-free experience.
  • Enhanced Mobility: With Gapp, users can manage their IT assets and resources on the go, bringing unparalleled flexibility to IT management.
  • User-Friendly Interface: The app boasts an intuitive design, making it easy for both seasoned IT professionals and novices to navigate and use.

White Label Option for Custom Branding

In addition to its standard features, Gapp offers a unique White Label option. This allows businesses to customize the app with their own branding, creating a personalized experience for their users. The White Label option is ideal for companies looking to maintain brand consistency and offer a tailored IT management tool to their employees or customers.

Get Started with Gapp Today

Download Gapp now from the Google Play Store and experience the future of mobile IT management. For more information about the White Label option and other features, please visit our website.

Useful links

Release GLPI Agent for Android

Description:

Features:

This new version allows you to override the serial number :

In new versions of Android, it is no longer possible to retrieve the ‘real’ phone’s serial number (considered as sensitive and private data). The agent therefore generates a UUID (as recommended by Google -> https://developer.android.com/training/articles/user-data-ids#best-practices-android-identifiers).

However, on a factory reset or when reinstalling the inventory agent, this UUID changes. And when an inventory is uploaded, GLPI will create a new device (because the serial number is different). It is now possible to define a serial number (with the one already stored in GLPI) to avoids duplication in the GLPI inventory.

The Agent Config plugin has also been updated, to feature a new QRCode / Deeplink on the device file containing the serial number.

Android compatibility

  • From Android 4 (Jelly Bean) to Android 13 (Sdk 33)
  • GLPI / GLPIinventory / Agent Config compatibility
GLPIGLPIInventoryAgent Config
10.0.91.2.31.2.0
10.0.101.3.x1.2.1
Release linkRelease linkGLPI Network Subscription

Distribution

Google Play -> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.glpi.inventory.agent

GLPI Agent 1.6.1

GLPI Agent 1.6.1 has been released.

You’re encouraged to upgrade your GLPI agents or migrate if you’re still using FusionInventory agents.

You can download it on the GLPI Agent github project: https://github.com/glpi-project/glpi-agent/releases/tag/1.6.1

The 1.6.1 version specifically fixes SSL connections problems introduced with 1.6 version update for windows and MacOSX agents.

Here is a summary of the most important changes of the 1.6 version:

  • The NetDiscovery and NetInventory tasks has been heavily reworked:
    • the Parallel: ForlManager library is used as more stable on some environments,
    • the NetDiscovery task now supports the discovery of remote computers and can run ESX and RemoteInventory tasks. This feature is currently only used by the ToolBox plugin.
    • network device support has been enhanced again for different manufacturers like Cisco, Zebra, Aruba, Checkpoint, Citrix and Synology.
  • The ToolBox plugin now offers a full tasks management support and permits to configure the discovery of remote computers using ESX and RemoteInventory tasks. In ToolBox, the NetDiscovery task including automatic inventory tasks run is named “netscan”:
    • the inventory management page is now a list of local and remote inventory tasks,
    • the credentials management page permits to create credentials for ESX, WinRM and SSH,
    • a scheduling management page permits to define how to planify tasks runs,
    • the “remotes” page becomes obsolete and will be removed in next version,
    • a new option is available to add a navigation link toward the agent index page
  • The RemoteInventory task includes a fix on SSH connections and supports the connection timeouts configured by ToolBox plugin,
  • The ESX task has been enhanced to support the “netscan” task started from ToolBox plugin,
  • The Proxy plugin has been fixed to support compressed requests and store JSON inventories with a better file name when local storage option is enabled,
  • The Inventory task has also received many enhancements and fixes including:
    • the antivirus inventory support on MacOSX (Defender) and Linux (Defender and BitDefender),
    • the support for latest RustDesk versions for remote management discovery,
    • an enhanced support for LXC and LXD containers based virtualization on linux.
  • The MacOSX package has been udpated to use OpenSSL 3.1.4 and zlib 1.3,
  • The linux perl installer includes fixes and supports installation on many new systems,
  • The MSI windows installer includes few updates:
    • the GLPI-AgentMonitor community tool has been updated to 1.2.3 version and now supports spanish and russian languages,
    • a new installer option permits to just reconfigure the installed agent,
    • the deletion of logvar and etc folders has been fixed during uninstallation,
    • the VBS script has been fixed to check installation and especially avoid an installation failure is the MSI service is still in use.

As always, you can check the more detailed changelog at: https://github.com/glpi-project/glpi-agent/blob/1.6.1/Changes

Unlocking Efficient Network Inventory Management with the GLPI Agent Toolbox Plugin

When we speak about IT asset management, ensuring the efficient tracking and management of your organization’s hardware and software assets is paramount. The GLPI Agent, an essential component of the GLPI Inventory ecosystem, is your ally in achieving this. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the GLPI Agent, its importance, and a valuable toolbox plugin that allows administrators to manage tasks locally without the need to create them on the GLPI server.

This is especially valuable for complex networks where installing agents on every computer may not be feasible or when security and compliance reasons restrict server connections.

Understanding the GLPI Agent

The GLPI Agent is a powerful tool developed to simplify the challenges associated with IT asset management. It facilitates the collection and transmission of vital data from connected devices to the central GLPI Server. This continuous flow of data empowers organizations to:

  • Maintain Real-Time Inventory: With the GLPI Agent, you can keep an up-to-date inventory of your hardware and software assets. This real-time snapshot is crucial for making informed decisions.
  • Reduce Downtime: By having a clear view of your IT assets, you can minimize downtime by addressing issues proactively and efficiently.
  • Optimize Resource Allocation: Resource allocation becomes more efficient when you know exactly what you have. This leads to cost savings and improved productivity.
  • Enhance Security Protocols: Security is a top concern in the IT world. With the GLPI Agent, you can better protect your assets by staying informed about their status.
  • Compliance and Licensing: For organizations that need to comply with licensing and security requirements, the GLPI Agent is a valuable asset for maintaining compliance.

Introducing the GLPI Toolbox Plugin

One of the standout features of the GLPI Agent is its toolbox plugin. This plugin allows administrators to manage tasks locally, directly from their computers, without the need to create tasks on the GLPI server. This feature is particularly valuable in scenarios where:

  • Installing agents on every computer is not practical.
  • Security measures or compliance regulations prevent direct server connections.

Since the version 1.6 some new and important features were added to the Toolbox plugin like:

  • A dedicated page to schedule tasks — you can also setup the tasks to run on a daily basis or in blob times ( e.g.: every hour, or every three hours)
  • A dedicated list of inventoried devices — when using the Agent Folder as the target of the tasks
  •  New layout of icons and buttons
  • A wider range of credentials and IP ranges administration for Remote Inventory and ESX Inventory support.

To help you get started with the GLPI Toolbox Plugin, we’ve created a video tutorial. In this video, you’ll learn step-by-step how to set up the toolbox plugin for local task management and also how to create a scheduled task. This visual guide will make the process easy to understand and implement, ensuring that you can efficiently manage your tasks without unnecessary server interactions.

Useful links

Video content

00:00 – Introduction to GLPI Agent Toolbox Plugin
02:15 – Installing the GLPI Agent on Windows
03:57 – How to activate the Toolbox plugin
07:27 – How to enable menus inside the GlPI Agent toolbox plugin
07:53 – How to create inventory tasks using the toolbox plugin on GLPI Agent
11:24 – How to import the inventory files to my GLPI Server
14:04 – How to convert an unmanaged device into a computer in GLPI