OpenLogic recently released a new tool designed to help IT managers track open source packages. Given the complexity of large corporate networks, which may have thousands of open source packages installed, tracking and managing such networks can be a daunting task.

OpenLogic's [Discovery application][1] uses "fingerprints" to tracks more than 5,000 versions of the top 900 open source packages. A package's fingerprint is based on file name, file size, checksum, and relative path.

Each evaluated file on the target system is compared to known files in Discovery's fingerprint database. When a match is found, the tool then determines which open source package the file is from.

Discovery is free and OpenLogic also offers a companion tool known as Jump Start which can generate graphical inventory analysis for up to 500 machines on a network. Displayed data includes information about package, number of installations and, perhaps most importantly for corporate environments, licensing details for each installed package (see sample report below).

With more and more large corporations moving toward open source software OpenLogic's Discovery app may prove popular with IT managers feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of keeping track of every installed package on the network.

[via [DesktopLinux][2]]

[1]: http://www.openlogic.com/discovery/index.php "OpenLogic Discovery"
[2]: http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS3949374437.html "Free app discovers, analyzes open source software"