Alternatives to RM Ranger

[Gongalong]

Hi folks,

 

As presumably all RM Ranger users will be aware, it's going end of life in the Summer.

 

Ranger Remote and Ranger Print Manager have some obvious replacements, but not so much with LAN Ranger.

 

LAN Ranger has a ton of useful features e.g.

 

- logging both PC and user activity on the network, which has been useful in searching on historical issues

- taking timed screenshots of problem users

- custom start menus

- a one-stop-shop for enforcing a lot of security

 

I know I can do some of this with Group Policy, but I just liked the simplicity of doing it with Ranger, and will really miss it.

 

RM are trying to sell us Community Connect (CC) as a replacement. I'd be very interested to hear from other users that have moved from Ranger to CC, and what's different, and what's better, and also worse. I've had one general demo, and there were some things that it doesn't replace.

 

Are there other products out there that have this functionality? I'm aware of Impero and NetSupport, but interested to hear of anything else.

 

Thanks

[Matt_NetSupport]

For those interested, NetSupport will provide an attractive migration path from Ranger Remote Control to the latest version of NetSupport School, this would be a sensible option for most schools as the users will already be familiar with the solution and the configuration etc will be the same - in addition we can add NetSupport DNA to meet safeguarding needs and meet many other requirements (including those listed by Gongalong) talk to me if interested.

[fiza]

The one thing that Ranger can do that NetSupport and Group Policy cannot do is limit concurrent logins. Having said that I have been promised by @Al_NetSupport that limiting logins will be introduced into NetSupport DNA soon.

 

We still use Ranger but are slowly migrating away. In the new year we will be looking at the Group policies to emulate features of Ranger including common desktops. We already use NetSupport School and DNA.

[SHimmer45]

if the product still works for you why the need to change (unless there is a security issue with the product), the features that you describe we also like but are moving alot of the security controls over to GPO but still using the realtime monitoring etc.

[fiza]

if the product still works for you why the need to change (unless there is a security issue with the product), the features that you describe we also like but are moving alot of the security controls over to GPO but still using the realtime monitoring etc.

 

Is Ranger compatible with newer Server & Desktop OS versions?

[SHimmer45]

we use it on 2012r2 and i have done some testing on w10 clients and it does work, start menu behavior is a little odd on the 1st login when it populates the menu in front of you. not a massive issue imo and most people wouldnt notice

but for 2012r2 and 7 its fine.

[Gongalong]

@SHimmer45 I wouldn't want to risk the situation where a Win 10 update comes along and breaks Ranger.

 

I didn't think NetSupport had much in the way of LAN Ranger's functionality? I appreciate that Ranger Remote is essentially their remote control product.

 

I forget how much RM's Community Connect had in the way of similar LAN Ranger functionality, but I know that it didn't have everything.

[fiza]

@SHimmer45 I wouldn't want to risk the situation where a Win 10 update comes along and breaks Ranger.

 

I didn't think NetSupport had much in the way of LAN Ranger's functionality? I appreciate that Ranger Remote is essentially their remote control product.

 

I forget how much RM's Community Connect had in the way of similar LAN Ranger functionality, but I know that it didn't have everything.

Which bits of LAN Ranger can you not live without?

[Gongalong]

I'm in the middle of writing up a proper list, to see if Group Policy is an alternative, if there's no software to do it. Once I have that list I'll post it here (when I get a chance to do it!).

 

I've got two major projects this academic year, to swap to a Ranger alternative (or get rid of it and use group policy, albeit with some print and remote access software), and setup Config Manager to deploy PCs. Lots to do!

[fiza]

I'd be interested in seeing your list when it's completed.

[Gongalong]

This is the list, hopefully I haven't missed anything. Essentially Ranger for Networks is the difficult bit to replace: LAN Ranger, Ranger Admin, and Ranger Account Manager.

 

Where I know alternatives are available I've mentioned them, but I've not researched any of the remainder, so there could well be alternatives in group policy.

 

Now to talk to RM (Community Connect), and NetSupport, about what their products can do. If anyone has experience of either I'd love to hear it. As far as I'm aware, there are no other products that come close to doing what Ranger for Networks does, which is a great shame.

 

START OF YEAR TASKS

AD Account Creation. Alternatives = Powershell, WiseSoft’s Bulk AD Users (if it still works), or manually!

Home folder permissions. Not catastrophic if this can’t be done. Alternatives = WifeSoft’s NTFSFix, although this crashed last time we used it.

Set home folder quota. No idea on alternatives.

Setting start menu program groups/shortcuts.

Controlled Assessment login restrictions. Set very specific times and locations that certain AD accounts can login. AD logon hours can do this, but not very precise. Can’t control locations.

Drive lockdown. Alternative = group policy.

Force Internet Proxy. Alternative = group policy (hopefully!). WPAD’s turned on.

Disable:

- Task Manager

- Ability to lock workstation

- Regedit

- Command prompt. Alternative = Group policy.

- Control panel

- Run As Administrator

- Shut down

 

SECURITY

Screenshots. Can take screenshots at regular interval for any indicated account. No idea on alternatives.

Clear previous logon history. No idea on alternatives.

Search on:

- when PCs were turned on

- when a user logged on

- what applications were started

Title checks

Allow student to logon to only one PC

 

DAY-TO-DAY

Monitoring logons. How many PCs are turned on, how many logged in, and in which locations.

Logging a student off

Bulk reset of passwords. Alternatives = Powershell, manual.

[Bev]

We have removed Ranger at the 2 sites I work at, one has got NetSupport but we have nothing as yet at the other. It's a larger site and I can't really justify the cost for the limited reason I would use it.

 

The main thing I really miss from Lan Ranger, is the abilty to switch on / off all PCs in bulk, or a selection of PCs, and log them in en-masse to the same userid. This is really useful when you are doing maintenance but not something I'm prepared to pay very much for. It really feels like there should be some cheap/free software out there that will do this. I also like the easy way you can remotely connect, but I can remotely connect using free tools, it's just not so easy.

[fiza]

For home drive quotas we use FSRM (File Server Resource Manager)

Setting Start menu/desktop - Redirected start menu/desktop via Group Policy

 

Disable:

- Task Manager

- Ability to lock workstation

- Regedit

- Command prompt.

- Control panel

- Run As Administrator

- Shut down

Can all be restricted via Group Policy

 

Netsupport DNA can do alot of the rest you need. Special Edugeek offer on at the moment. You can also download a trial version for 30 days. It works alongside Ranger without issue as we have both running here. Also has application & internet monitoring. You can restrict applications and URLs. You can remote to PCs, log users off, shutdown or switch on computers in bulk.

Can't do Bulk password resets, Title checks or restrict concurrent logins.(yet) @Al_NetSupport

Edited March 17, 2017 by fiza

[fiza]

We have removed Ranger at the 2 sites I work at, one has got NetSupport but we have nothing as yet at the other. It's a larger site and I can't really justify the cost for the limited reason I would use it.

 

The main thing I really miss from Lan Ranger, is the abilty to switch on / off all PCs in bulk, or a selection of PCs, and log them in en-masse to the same userid. This is really useful when you are doing maintenance but not something I'm prepared to pay very much for. It really feels like there should be some cheap/free software out there that will do this. I also like the easy way you can remotely connect, but I can remotely connect using free tools, it's just not so easy.

 

For switching on/or off PCs in bulk look at specops gpupdate (free version). Cant do bulk logins but can switch them off or on.

[LanSchoolUK_Adam]

Hi Gongalong,Further to fiza's post above, a lot of what you're looking to accomplish can be done using a combination of Group Policy and the LanSchool Tech Console, including bulk user/machine actions such as Remote Control, Wake-on-LAN, Shut Down, Remote Log Off and Mass Logon - all accomplishable at the machine, room or group (i.e. building) level.

 

We also have fully automated background inventorying that reports on hardware/software utilisation for measuring student usage in different locations, and feeds this data back into centralised reports.We offer a migration path discount pricing for those coming off of RM Ranger, so PM me if you would be interested in setting up a demo & pricing options.Cheers!~ Adam

[Gongalong]

Most likely RM's CC(4) is out for us, as all the client PCs have to be built using CC.

[fiza]

@Gongalong - Get a trial Netsupport DNA going to see how it fits as a replacement for LAN Ranger.

[Gongalong]

I've had a demo, and it looks like we're going for the DNA offer anyway (to get the School license), so will probably give it a go. It does have some of the Ranger functionality, but I would like more.

[fiza]

I've had a demo, and it looks like we're going for the DNA offer anyway (to get the School license), so will probably give it a go. It does have some of the Ranger functionality, but I would like more.

 

We are going through the same process of leaving Lan Ranger behind so might be worth comparing notes. PM if you want.

[phaslam]

Hi All

 

Ranger Suit was a greet product when it was owned and developed by Sentinel and since it was sold to RM I have slowly seen it go down hill from lack of development by RM. However there is an alternative and its called BCX Management Tools by these guys Burconix Ltd Network Solutions I have rolled this out in to 2 schools now along with using group policy, Ab Tutor and Foldr. This is the closest solution I have come up with to Ranger and it works really well, the only thing I'm still trying to find is a way of limiting the number of logins a user is allowed. I've put in a feature request for this with Burconix and hope it will be added.

 

Cheers

 

Paul

Edited April 30, 2017 by phaslam

[Al_NetSupport]

Hi Paul, limiting multiple logins is a feature being included in our next update (due about 8 weeks time). The NetSupport DNA suite provides another alternative for you with IT management tools, classroom management and safeguarding. http://Www.netsupportdna.com

 

Happy to let you know when the update is available if you want to take a look.

 

Will certainly let you know @fiza

 

Al

[fiza]

@Al_NetSupport - glad to hear limiting multiple logins is in the next update. I look forward to implementing it.

[Al_NetSupport]

@Al_NetSupport - glad to hear limiting multiple logins is in the next update. I look forward to implementing it.

 

I knew you'd like that. Had quite a few people ask for this feature, so been high on the priority list.

 

Al

[fiza]

@Gongalong - How far have you got down the road of removing Ranger?

 

Any tips would be appreciated.

[Gongalong]

Essentially gone. It's still installed on the DC, but not being used at all. We've switched to NetSupport DNA which does most of what we wanted, along with School and PaperCut.