Serva vs Symantec IT Management Suite

Serva is a Windows application for automated PXE network booting and operating-system installation. Its portable package bundles HTTP, FTP, TFTP, DHCP, proxyDHCP, BINL, DNS, SNTP, and SYSLOG services, plus a TFTP client. It delivers Windows and non-Windows assets to BIOS and UEFI systems, including ARM 32-bit and 64-bit UEFI. ProxyDHCP is intended to provide PXE service without changing existing DHCP infrastructure settings. For Windows deployment, Serva offers a WAIK/ADK-independent alternative to RIS and WDS and includes a Task Sequence Manager for capturing and deploying PC images. It requires no installation and does not save keys in the Windows registry. The free Community edition is for personal, non-commercial use, limits PXE/BINL service to 50 minutes and two PXE clients, and excludes WinPE booting and Task Sequence Manager. Professional costs $92 a year, permits commercial use, supports 50 PXE/BINL clients, and provides unlimited PXE/BINL service time.

Symantec IT Management Suite manages application and operating-system configurations across desktops, laptops, and servers. It combines Asset Management Suite, Client Management Suite, and Server Management Suite, which can be licensed together or separately. Management features include automated patching, on-demand assessments, Patch Now actions, and CVE-based reporting. Deployment supports operating-system rollout, bare-metal provisioning, hardware-independent imaging, and software distribution. CMDB-backed discovery tracks hardware, software, virtual assets, contracts, warranties, and license usage. Cloud-Enabled Management collects inventory and delivers patches or software updates to Windows and Mac devices outside the corporate network without VPN. Users can request approved software through a self-service portal. The suite supports Microsoft, Red Hat, CentOS, and SUSE updates, plus Windows and Mac workstations. ITMS 8.8.1 and later provide REST API data exchange. Microsoft SQL Server is required for ITMS 8.7.x and 8.8.x; other listed database platforms are unsupported. Pricing is on request.