Linux Connection Manager

The Linux Connection Manager enables you to scan hundreds of nodes Agentlessly using Secure Shell (SSH) as the connection protocol. Essentially working as a connection proxy, the Linux Connection Manager provides a single point of management for all configuration, logging, and updating of nodes. See Installation Method below for more information.

Agentless Scanning

In contrast to Agent-based scanning, the Linux Connection Manager can be deployed remotely and scan hundreds of nodes per Connection Manager. Once deployed, the Connection Manager polls the Guardian appliance every few seconds to check if there are any tasks to complete. Depending on the amount of nodes in your environment, your Guardian Representative can assist with capacity planning to ensure you have the correct amount of Connection Managers required for scanning.

Each Connection Manager is assigned to a Connection Manager group. Connection Manager groups should only contain Connection Managers of the same type; Windows or Linux. Target nodes are then assigned to Connection Manager groups, to ensure that they are being scanned via the correct connection protocol. For more information about Connection Manager groups, see Connection Manager Groups.

Installation Method

The Linux Connection Manager is distributed as either a Debian or Red Hat package. The package is then installed and hosted on an OS of your choice. Once installed and registered to the Guardian appliance, you are responsible for managing and overseeing the internal configurations of the Connection Manager. For more information on how to set up the installable Connection Manager, see Linux Connection Manager – Installable.

Note: Cloudhouse also offer flexible customizations of your Connection Manager's configuration to aid your deployment. For more information, see Agents and Connection Managers – Configuration.

Once you have deployed your Connection Manager, you can host it within your private network. This method requires no Internet access for your target nodes to be scanned.

Default Linux Connection Manager

By default, Cloudhouse provide a built-in Connection Manager that is separate from the remote deployment solutions described above. This Connection Manager is included as part of your Guardian instance's deployment. There is no set up required; no additional systems required to host it. It is available to scan any node types that specifically require an SSH connection protocol. For users with a small number of non-Windows nodes, this can be used in lieu of installing a Linux Connection Manager. However, if you intend to scan over a hundred SSH nodes, it may be sensible to install multiple Linux Connection Managers and organize them into groups for more efficient scanning.