Is it possible to record user usage on a Network

[Adam728]

Hi,

 

I wondered if anyone knows of any software that can monitor what proportion of a network is used. In other words, I would like to know the proportion of PCs used, how often each PC is used and possibly for how long.

 

It would be useful if a report of such data could be produced.

 

These results would hopefully highlight which PCs are well used and also which PCs are rarely used on the network.

 

I have done numerous Google searches but struggled to find anything that would provide this information over a network.

 

Kind regards,

 

Adam

[SpuffMonkey]

We had to write our own scripts to do this - we also monitor application usage via scripts

[eclass]

SpuffMonkey, can you elaborate a little more on how you were able to set this up?

[Adam728]

Thanks for the reply SpuffMonkey, would it be possible to share the scripts you have created so I can take a look and see if it will be possible to modify for our use?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Regards, Adam

[SpuffMonkey]

Umm - OK - briefly..

 

The icons that are presented to staff & students call a vb script like so

 

C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscript.exe \\server\logs$\appslog.vbs /program:"C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Dreamweaver CS3\Dreamweaver.exe" /title:"Adobe Dreamweaver CS3"

 

And the appslog.vbs builds some text/date/time variables from this and stuffs the call into a database and opens the program. When the program is closed, the script logs the exit time. We also record logins in a similar way and have a nice web based front end to query the database.

 

I'd share the code - but the school is a bit "funny" about that sort of thing - I'd strongly recommend a read of Steve Rochfield's Scripting 101 Course which he presented at one of the Edugeek conferences (thanks Steve) - most of the ideas were "borrowed" from there - it was around on here for a while?

 

Cheers & happy coding!

[round2it]

Craig A Rodway

 

check out login tracker on the open source page this will do what you require

[srochford]

I'd strongly recommend a read of Steve Rochfield's Scripting 101 Course which he presented at one of the Edugeek conferences (thanks Steve) - most of the ideas were "borrowed" from there - it was around on here for a while?

 

 

Wakes from hibernation

check out Launching a program and Monitoring Computer Usage to give you some ideas.

One day I'll grab the stuff of that website and move it somewhere else (it's nearly 3 years since I left CNWL and one day they'll wonder what all that stuff is doing on that server!) but it's still available now.

 

Shout if you want any more info.

[eclass]

Thanks guys

[Adam728]

Thanks very much for your help, I will take a look.

 

Cheers,

 

Adam

[plexer]

The school is a bit funny about you sharing code that you produced?

 

As long as their is transfer of confidential information that's a bit strange to hear.

 

Oh well.

 

Ben

[SpuffMonkey]

The school is a bit funny about you sharing code that you produced?

 

As long as their is transfer of confidential information that's a bit strange to hear.

 

Oh well.

 

Ben

 

Our contracts state that all code produced while in their employ belongs directly to the school (and indeed that will be implied if not explicit in all of your contracts too). So giving away their intellectual property is not encouraged!

[plexer]

What a load of old tosh but that's moving away from what was asked.

 

Ben

[SpuffMonkey]

What a load of old tosh but that's moving away from what was asked.

 

Ben

 

Alas its legally binding tosh...

[plexer]

If you were selling it and making money from it then I could see them possibly having a problem with it but otherwise I've created loads of stuff at work which is available for free and has been contributed to this community and others.

 

Ben

[Chunky]

You're correct in that the school has ownership of any work you do for it, which would include the code you write, but there is nothing really stopping you giving away copies of it, as long as your head aggrees it.

 

For example, I wrote a job logging and monitoring system - nothing stopped me giving it away - in fact the head was happy to know I was networking with other people, and their view of the school was elevated because of this.

 

Sharing basic bits of code is more likely to raise your rep with people, as opposed to being a code Gollum

 

So, unless the head really objects to it (have you asked? May be worth doing so - you'd be suprised) then why not share the love, eh?

 

 

Oh, and if you've referenced chunks of other code, I'm guessing they weren't as possessive of their code.

 

Morally, I find this a bit off where you use others code, but don't share your own. Ho hum - anyway, its up to you at the end of the day whether you want to share your code.

 

... and thats just IMHO - others will aggree and disaggree.

 

I aggree with Plexer - but hey, your call

 

Chunks

[SYNACK]

If you have Windows 7 Enterprise you can use Applocker to moniter software application useage including how long it is open if I recall. It logs it locally though so you would probably want the tools from the MDOP kit if you have a volume liscence to grab the information easily.

[2097]

Craig A Rodway

 

check out login tracker on the open source page this will do what you require

 

very good Love the login tracker