CSE Network Toolkit

[enjay]

I'm on the verge of signing on the dotted line with CSE. Can anyone with up-to-date experience of the Toolkit endorse this decision or give me (genuine) reasons why this might be a bad move.

 

To try and prevent another re-hash of the "CSE/RM/Ranger networks are only for idiots who don't know how to do 'real' network management" debate (I've read quite enough of those already), let me say this - I've considered the options and feel that for this school under these circumstances, a management product is the way to go - I just need to decide on which one to use.

[cpjitservices]

well RM would offer you CC4 which is very expensive and if CC3 is anything to go by it'll be heavy too!, alot of schools and other educational facilities are straying away from RM to save on cash, CSE have all the tools that RM have - I dont think these management solutions are for idiots, if thats the route you choose that's upto you, CSE look to be just as good as RM I've no idea on pricing though and also when I was running a CC3 network trying to get through to RM when there was a problem was like trying to get blood from a stone and when they did answer it took them 3-4 days to do anything.

 

Anyway good luck!

[the_quick]

I think CSE is best management network for schools these days, as it is based on Vanilla, and does not change much on AD, so it is much easier to transfer to Vanilla domain, if there would be a need. If I would have money, I would go with them.

These kind of tools save lots of time and just make life easier, maybe you learn more with pure Vanilla etc, but if you don't have time and hands - CSE looks perfect. Go for it mate !

 

And RM services are getting worse, 5 years ago I could get solution to the problem from them in a day, now it takes sometimes 2 weeks to solve something (main problem with RM software and how it is working) and I believe they are more expensive.

 

Best of luck

[FragglePete]

Take a look at my post about CSE I've just done, hope it is of some use:

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/network-classroom-management/73438-burconix-bcx-management-tools-2.html#post654970

 

Pete

[enjay]

Thanks Pete, that's really helpful.

[enjay]

@kcymer - do you have CSE in place?

[the_quick]

enjay, sorry no, can't afford it. But seen it working and could compare to cc3 which I have and it gives so much more freedom in comparison.