High-Level Explanation
Offload repetitive processes . . . safely!
Usually, we think of rights at the computer or device level.
Cimitra uses a more secure and granular approach to rights, which at Cimitra we call “Micro-Administration”. Gartner Inc. refers to this genre of technology as “Democratization of Expertise“.
Cimitra is about giving individuals (Help desk, other IT workers, and even non-IT personnel) secure access to simple actions that solve common IT tasks. A list of 100 Example uses cases are listed below.
Here are just a few examples. Many commands and scripts are a perfect fit with Cimitra.
- Active Directory
- Reset passwords
- Add users to groups
- Manage groups
- Manage printers
- Add computers
- Servers
- Reset processes
- SQL queries and updates
- Check disk space
- Run build processes
- Read log files
- User Provisioning
- Create users
- Change titles
- Change phone numbers
- Disable/Enable Accounts
- Printers
- Restart print servers
- Update access rules
- Set printer offline or online
Easy permissions and distribution
An Administrator creates “Actions”, which are really just a front-end that is attached to scripts or commands on other computers, generally, these computers, are computers that run server type processes.
The Administrator can then share the Cimitra Actions with other team members, giving them access to securely run those actions.
Example - An Action For Enabling an Active Directory Account - 20 Seconds
Low-Level Explanation
Server, agents, and users
First, you install a Cimitra Server, which is distributed as a Docker container. You then deploy Cimitra Agents which are generally run on servers, but they can also be deployed to other computers . . . or even very small devices such as a Raspberry Pi!
You can then securely control scripts and commands that are presented as “Cimitra Actions” in the browser-based Cimitra Client to Users who you have defined inside of Cimitra.
When a Cimitra User runs a Cimitra Action, the Cimitra Agent running on the computer where the script is actually physically located executes the script and sends the output back to the Cimitra Server.
Videos - Creating and Delegating Actions in Cimitra
Video Playlist
1/3 videos
1
Deploy Cimitra Agent
2
Create a Script
3
Connect Cimitra Action to Script
Slideshow - Creating and Delegating Actions in Cimitra
STEP # 1. DEPLOY A CIMITRA AGENT
Deploy a Cimitra Agent to the server/computer where the command is usually run. In the example above, a Cimitra Windows Agent is installed and Running as a Service on a Windows 2019 Server. Cimitra Agents can be deployed to Windows, Linux, or Mac computers. There is even an "Other" Cimitra Agent that can be deployed to any computer that is compatible with Node.js. A Cimitra Agent cannot be deployed to a Chromebook. NOTE: These steps assume that a Cimitra Server has already been deployed and configured.
CIMITRA AGENT DOCS
STEP # 2. IDENTIFY A ROUTINE COMMAND
Determine the command, API call or a script that currently can perform the action you want to automate with Cimitra.
STEP # 3. CREATE A SCRIPT USING THE COMMAND
If you need to, turn the command into a script. Cimitra has several pre-made PowerShell and Bash scripts on the Cimitra Software GitHub site. Modifying these scripts for your own use is an easy way to get started making scripts.
VIEW SCRIPT
STEP # 4. CREATE A CIMITRA ACTION
Create a Cimitra App which is a pointer to the script that you created, or the command that performs the action you are automating with Cimitra.
STEP # 5. SHARE THE CIMITRA ACTION
Create a Cimitra Folder and put the Cimitra Action into the Cimitra Folder. Then share the Cimitra Folder with one or more end-users who are intended to use the Cimitra Action(s).
STEP # 6. LOGIN AS AN END-USER
When logged in as an end-user to whom the Cimitra Action was shared with, the Action shows up in the folder that was created and shared by the Administrator.
TRY IT YOURSELF
STEP # 7. END-USER RUN THE ACTION
When a script requires inputs, the Cimitra Action is designed to pass inputs to the script. The end-user has no sense or understanding that in effect they are remotely executing a PowerShell script. The PowerShell script does not execute on the end-user's machine, the PowerShell script executes on the Windows 2019 server where the Cimitra Agent has already been deployed.
TRY IT YOURSELF
STEP # 8. END-USER VIEW THE ACTION RESULT
When the end-user selects the "Run" button, their input is passed to the Cimitra Server, and then the Cimitra Agent takes the end-user input and passes it to the script that was shown in STEP #3.
TRY IT YOURSELFFrequently Asked Questions
Why would I want Cimitra?
The basic premise of Cimitra is that smart IT specialists are often unable to efficiently implement high-value projects because they are constantly pulled away on mundane tasks, that with Cimitra can be run by other individuals.
Cimitra helps IT specialists to provide more value to an organization, because the IT specialist’s workload becomes less of a bottleneck. When bottlenecks of productivity are removed, everyone is happier. And the IT specialist can implement technology solutions with greater speed.
Is Cimitra a DevOps solution?
No. DevOps solutions have much more functionality than Cimitra. However Cimitra has functionality that is not contained within DevOps solutions. Specifically, Cimitra is designed to allow just about anyone to participate in routine IT tasks.
To use a kitchen analogy, DevOps solutions are like a food processor, and Cimitra is like a knife. A well equipped kitchen has both a food processor and a knife.
Do you have an example of how others have used Cimitra?
- Read how a medical clinic uses Cimitra, [CLICK HERE]
- Read how a U.S. university uses Cimitra, [CLICK HERE]
What are Actions in Cimitra?
Actions are shareable scripts and sequences, written in any language (PowerShell, Bash, Python, etc). Even a simple command such as “dir” that isn’t wrapped in a script can be made into a Cimitra Action. You import or create the Actions, and Cimitra will take care of:
• Access control
• Version control
• Distribution
• Security
• Auditing
• In-line Help and documentation
• Input validation (Regex)
Do I make the scripts, or does Cimitra create them?
Yes, you make the scripts. However Cimitra has several pre-made scripts that you can use or model after. A good example is the Cimitra Active Directory Integration Scripts. [CLICK HERE]
Your distributor or the Cimitra Team can give you further assistance in making your own scripts.
Do I manually distribute the Cimitra Agent?
Yes. The Cimitra Agent is generally installed on servers or devices. Occasionally you may need to implement a Cimitra Agent on a workstation.
For Linux and MacOS installs there is a command-line install option also.
What if I have servers in the cloud?
The Cimitra Agent works on-premise or in the cloud! If your cloud provider does not allow you to install the agent, there are APIs available to allow you to control your cloud-based solutions.
Do I manually distribute the Cimitra Client?
No. Cimitra is a web-based application. All you need to share is the URL! The Cimitra Client also works well on mobile devices.
What security measures does Cimitra have?
- User Multi-Factor Authentication through DUO
- User LDAP Authentication using your in-house directory
- Action Input Validation – Users can only input the characters you allow through validating Regex (Regular Expressions)
- Event Auditing – Every time a Cimitra Action is run, the run event is logged and easily accessible. The user who ran the event, the event time and event results are all logged.
- Independent Auditors – Anyone with Administrative rights in Cimitra has the right to audit events. However, an “Auditor” role also exists so that an Auditor does not need to be an Administrator.
- On the Windows platform, since the Cimitra Agent runs as a Service, it can be configured to run as a certain user that you specify in Windows
What is the best way to get better acquainted with Cimitra?
Installing a Cimitra Server is very simple. You simply need to get a Linux box or a Windows box with Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) and you can install the Cimitra Server. See the documentation for the Cimitra Server Installation for more details. [ CLICK HERE ]
Does Cimitra distribute scripts to computers where the Cimitra Agent is deployed?
Cimitra does not distribute scripts. You need to create your own method of performing that function. A DevOps solution might be a good fit for this functionality.
Purchase Offerings
Please contact a Cimitra Authorized Distributor in order to purchase Cimitra. You can contact Cimitra at [email protected] in order to find your Authorized Distributor.
Admin/Technician Licenses: This is the number of users which can log into Cimitra and use it either as an Admin, an Auditor or a non-Admin account.
Support: We are here to help. Call us at 801-228-0785 or [email protected]
Annual Pricing
- 3 Admin/Technician Licenses
- Minimum Entry Price $3,000
- Additional Licenses $1,000 Per License