connectwise for linux

ConnectWise for Linux: Time to Update Your RMM in 2025

Hey IT pros! Are you pulling your hair out because there’s no official ConnectWise client for Linux? You’re definitely not alone. In today’s world, Linux is everywhere. It powers most of the internet, a ton of cloud stuff, and almost all the supercomputers out there. So, if your main tool for keeping an eye on things (that’s RMM, or Remote Monitoring and Management) only works for Windows, you’re kind of stuck.

It’s like trying to cook a five-star meal with only half your kitchen appliances. If your RMM can’t talk to your Linux servers or computers, you’re missing a huge piece of the puzzle. Your team probably spends way too much time doing manual checks, writing custom scripts for every little thing, and just hoping updates went out okay. It’s enough to make anyone frustrated, right?

Think about this: not being able to properly manage your Linux gear means about 40% of your computers are either completely unmanaged or you’re stuck doing everything by hand. That’s a big security hole just waiting to be exploited, and it makes running things way less efficient.

The Real Cost of Juggling Different Linux RMM Tools

You might think using workarounds is an easy fix, but honestly, it usually just causes more problems down the road. It’s like trying to find your way around a new city with an old, outdated map. You might get there, but you’ll miss important turns and get lost a lot. When your RMM setup isn’t smooth, bad things can happen.

First off, security. If you can’t monitor or properly manage your Linux machines, they become easy targets for hackers. If you delay or miss patching a security flaw on a Linux system, your whole network could be at risk. That could mean a massive data breach and hefty fines. Experts like those at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) say keeping all your systems patched, including Linux, is super important for staying safe online. Can you really afford to skip that in 2025?

Then there’s your team’s productivity. Having to constantly switch between different tools, do manual checks, and write endless scripts for different operating systems is exhausting. Your engineers should be focused on cool new projects, not fighting with software that doesn’t work together. All this wasted time and effort adds up to higher costs and slower responses when something actually goes wrong.

And what about growing your business? If you can’t easily manage and update all your computers, no matter the operating system, you’re losing out. Being able to quickly get new machines up and running, keep an eye on them, and manage them all from one place is crucial today. If your tools can’t keep up, you’re falling behind. It’s time to ditch the old ways and get ready for what’s next.

How to Manage Your Linux Computers Like a Pro

While ConnectWise doesn’t have an official Linux client yet (as of 2025), there are smart ways to handle your Linux machines. You can use workarounds, or even better, switch to tools that *do* support Linux properly. Let’s look at your options.

ConnectWise Workarounds: Just a Temporary Fix?

• Wine or CrossOver: These let you run Windows programs on Linux. It sounds good, but it can be hit-or-miss. Sometimes it works great, other times it’s buggy or just doesn’t run smoothly. Installing it is usually easy, like typing sudo apt install wine if you’re on Ubuntu or Debian. But getting ConnectWise to run *well* can be tricky.
• Virtual Machine (VM): You can set up a Windows virtual machine (using software like VirtualBox or KVM) on your Linux computer. This way, you can run the full Windows version of ConnectWise. It guarantees everything works perfectly. Quick tip: Make sure your VM has enough memory and processing power so it doesn’t slow down. Just remember, you’ll need a Windows license for this, which adds to the cost and complexity. Check out our guide on VM best practices for more tips.

These workarounds might help for a little while, but they often add more steps, use up more resources, and can cause performance headaches. For managing your Linux systems long-term, securely, and without a fuss, using tools that are built for Linux from the start is a much better idea.

Best Native RMM Tools for Linux in 2025

If your business relies heavily on Linux, switching to an RMM tool with a native Linux agent is the smartest move. These tools are designed from the ground up to work seamlessly with Linux. You get real-time monitoring, automated tasks, and great patch management without any weird workarounds.

• Pulseway: This is a top pick because it’s great at real-time monitoring, automation, and patching. Pulseway has native Linux agents for popular systems like Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, and RHEL. This means you have full control over your Linux machines.
• Atera: This cloud-based RMM and PSA tool works really well with Linux, especially Ubuntu and Debian. It’s fantastic for running scripts, automating updates, and connecting with other tools, making your IT tasks much smoother.
• NinjaOne: NinjaOne is a super scalable RMM that works great with Linux (Ubuntu, CentOS, RHEL). It focuses on security, automation, and giving you a single dashboard for everything, making it a solid choice for busy Linux environments.
• ManageEngine Endpoint Central: This isn’t just for basic monitoring. It also handles Linux patching, disk encryption, and even compliance reports. It’s an all-in-one solution for all your devices, making sure your Linux systems are secure and meet company rules.
• SyncroMSP: This tool combines RMM and PSA features and is excellent for Linux scripting, especially on Debian and Ubuntu. Because it’s all in one place, you don’t have to switch between programs as much, which really speeds up your team’s work.

Free and Open-Source Options for Linux RMM

If you’re on a tight budget or just prefer using open-source software, there are some really powerful tools out there for managing your Linux assets:

• OCS Inventory NG: This is a fantastic tool for tracking your hardware and software, finding devices on your network, and deploying applications. It works perfectly with Linux and is great for keeping a detailed list of all your Linux gear.
• GLPI: This is a complete IT Asset Management system that also includes a helpdesk. GLPI can use the data from OCS Inventory NG to give you a full picture of your IT setup, including all your Linux devices. You can customize it a lot to fit your needs.
• Zabbix: If you need something really powerful and scalable for monitoring servers and networks, Zabbix is it. It’s excellent for keeping an eye on Linux servers, network devices, and virtual machines. You can start monitoring a Linux machine with a simple command like: sudo systemctl start zabbix-agent.

Here’s a quick look at a basic script that shows you what kind of info you can get from a Linux system:

#!/bin/bash

echo "Hostname: $(hostname)"
echo "Kernel: $(uname -r)"
echo "Uptime: $(uptime -p)"
echo "Disk Usage:"
df -h / | grep -v Filesystem

This little script shows how easy it is to pull specific data from Linux, which you can then use with your RMM tools. The best option for you really depends on what you need, how much you can spend, and how well it needs to fit into your current setup.

Making the Smart Choice for 2025 and Beyond

As we get further into 2025, being able to manage all your computers, no matter the operating system, isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential for keeping your business running smoothly and securely. Focus on tools that have built-in support for Linux, can automate a lot of tasks, and give you a clear view of everything in your IT environment. Think about what your team needs most – maybe it’s a cloud-based tool, something you can host yourself, or a free option that’s highly customizable.

Don’t let the lack of an official ConnectWise for Linux client hold you back. There are plenty of great alternatives out there that will let you manage your Linux machines just as easily and effectively as your Windows ones. The future of IT management is all about working across different systems seamlessly. Make sure your strategy is ready for it.

Quick Tips for a Better RMM Strategy:

• Native Support is Key: Always choose RMM tools that have dedicated Linux agents. They’ll work much better and be more secure.
• Automate and Patch: Make sure your tool can handle updates and automate tasks for all your operating systems.
• One Dashboard: Try to find a tool that lets you see and manage both Windows and Linux from a single place. It’s a huge time-saver.
• Scalability: Pick a solution that can grow with your company. You don’t want to outgrow your RMM tools too quickly.

Got Questions About ConnectWise and Linux?

Q: Does ConnectWise offer a way to manage Linux directly?

No, as of 2025, ConnectWise Control (used to be ScreenConnect) and ConnectWise Automate (used to be LabTech) don’t have official, built-in clients for Linux. Their main focus has always been on Windows. This means you either have to use workarounds, like compatibility software or virtual machines, or switch to different RMM tools that do have proper Linux support.

Q: Can I use Wine or CrossOver to run ConnectWise Control on Linux?

Yes, it’s technically possible to get the Windows version of ConnectWise Control running on Linux using things like Wine or CrossOver. However, ConnectWise doesn’t officially support this, and you might run into problems with how well it works or if all the features actually function. It’s usually seen as a temporary fix, not something for long-term, professional use where you need everything to work perfectly all the time.

Q: What’s so great about using RMM tools that support Linux natively?

Native Linux RMM tools connect much better with the core of Linux. This means more reliable monitoring, smoother updates, and better automation. You’ll get better performance, improved security because the software has the right access, and simpler workflows without the hassle or potential issues of compatibility layers or VMs. It all adds up to saving money and making your IT operations much more efficient.

Q: Which ConnectWise alternatives are good for Linux in 2025?

In 2025, several RMM tools are really good at supporting Linux. Some of the best include Pulseway, Atera, NinjaOne, ManageEngine Endpoint Central, and SyncroMSP. These all have native Linux agents and offer great features like real-time monitoring, patch management, remote access, and automation for various Linux versions like Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, and RHEL.

Q: Are there any good free RMM options for Linux?

Definitely! If you’re looking for something free or highly customizable, open-source tools are a fantastic choice. OCS Inventory NG is great for tracking assets and software. GLPI is a full IT Asset Management suite with a helpdesk, often used with OCS Inventory NG for a complete overview of your IT stuff, including Linux. Zabbix is another excellent option for powerful monitoring of servers and networks, and it works perfectly with Linux. They all have strong community support too.

Q: How does using different RMM tools for Linux hurt cybersecurity?

When your RMM setup isn’t unified, it creates big security risks for your Linux systems. If you can’t see everything or automate patching across all your devices, critical security flaws can be missed, leaving your systems open to attacks. This makes data breaches, unauthorized access, and compliance problems much more likely. Manual processes are prone to mistakes and just can’t keep up with how fast threats change. That’s why a single, comprehensive RMM solution for all your operating systems is so important for good security.