What is the ZipForge?

The ZipForge (www.zipforge.org) is a data repository where the ZipTie and NetworkAuthority community can gather to share network adaptors, network tools (i.e., script tools and all types of plug-ins), Quick Changes, network management scripts, policies, vulnerabilities and report templates. The ZipForge is a valuable community resource for both ZipTie and NetworkAuthority users as well as developers.

An active community with over 9,000 members, the ZipForge is a valuable resource for network engineers looking for solutions for managing enterprise networks. The ZipForge website is fully managed by members of the ZipTie and NetworkAuthority community.

Anyone can contribute content to the ZipForge. Once added, the community can immediately download it and use it in their local ZipTie and NetworkAuthority installations. Many network equipment providers have developed adapters for their devices and added them to the ZipForge, including all of the ZONA partners (www.ziptie.org/zona). AlterPoint verifies ZipTie and NetworkAuthority contributions and tests them for security, reliability, and compatibility. Once this content is certified, a certified badge is displayed in its description on the Forge. All uncertified content is labeled as "community" content and will be displayed with a community badge. To learn more about content certfication, click here.

The ZipForge is based on a "give a penny, take a penny" model. If you find yourself using content from the Forge often, then post feedback to the person who made the content. If you have adapters or tools that you have written, add them to the Forge. With the participation of the ZipTie and NetworkAuthority community, the ZipForge will become a more valuable resource to support open network management and provide solutions for managing enterprise networks.

If there are features that you would like to see added to the Forge or have suggestions, please email us at forge@ziptie.org anytime.