I wrote recently almost 10 ways Alexa can aid y'all get your work done, which focused on a broad prepare of business-related objectives the Amazon Echo (aka Alexa) can perform for you via voice commands. Alexa utilizes diverse features known as skills to carry these operations, and you can work with these skills via the Alexa app or web interface.

During the form of my research I institute and tested a plethora of technical-related skills for Alexa which are worth checking out, whether you work in Information technology or are merely a hobbyist. I've arranged them by respective categories.

SEE: Alexa Skills: Cheat sheet (TechRepublic)

Networking

1. MyNetLyzer

The MyNetLyzer skill can assistance you lot diagnose bug with your habitation network such as poor functioning and determining what is connected to the network. You can say "Enquire myNetLyzer what is my network operation," "Inquire myNetLyzer what are my connected devices," or "Ask myNetlyzer what is my performance report for a week." It does crave yous to link your Amazon account and register your devices with MyNetLyzer via their portal page, which tin as well provide insights into how your network is operating.

2. Port Numbers

Alexa tin match port numbers with services using the Port Numbers skill. She responds to the commands "Alexa, enquire port numbers which port runs (service name)," or "Alexa, ask port numbers which service runs on port (port number)," to provide the requested details. She was able to provide information about SSH and HTTP, two commonly used services,

iii. Subnet Calculator

For those of the states who fiddle in subnet calculations, Alexa can as well be a wizard in handling this task for you via the Subnet Computer skill. Y'all can ask questions such as "Alexa, ask Subnet Reckoner what is the subnet mask for a slash 27?" and she will read off the mask. Co-ordinate to the skill's developers, future updates will provide network and broadcast address for a given host address, as well as other subnet calculations.

Run across: Cyberspace of Things policy (Tech Pro Enquiry)

Obtaining public IP address/domain data

4. IP Lookup

Alexa can determine IP accost/domain information and location using the IP Lookup skill. Say: "Alexa, ask IP lookup where is 8.8.eight.viii," for example, and she will place the domain as owned past Google and where they are located.

5. Domain Name Info

The Domain Name Info skill can obtain DNS data related to requested domains. Just say, "Alexa, launch Domain Name Info." She will then ask what domain y'all want to inquiry, and can provide the A Tape (IPv4 address), AAAA Record (IPv6 address) MX Record (Post Exchange) or TXT Record (Text).

6. Server Status

Having trouble getting to a specific site? The Server Status skill can tell you if diverse public websites are online or offline. Use the phrase, "Alexa, inquire Server Status if (domain) is online." Y'all can also inquire if a domain is offline.

vii. DNS Tools

The DNS Tools skill performs a similar yet simpler office and can obtain forward and reverse DNS lookups. Yous could apply the command "Alexa, ask DNS Tools to get the IP address for techrepublic.com" to become the IP address of 64.30.228.108. You could as well say: "Alexa, ask DNS Tools to get the domain for 64.30.228.108."

Security advice

8. Security Flashcards

The Security flashcards skill tin can help you larn more nearly security terms and set for exams. Say: "Alexa, open Security flashcards," and she can define various terms. I asked about phishing, for example, and she provided information on the concept.

9. Hack Me

The Hack Me skill tin can tell you if your Amazon-linked email address has been involved in a security alienation, and if so when and which system was involved. Sadly, I institute my electronic mail address had been associated with three breaches, simply I inverse my password in the aftermath. Alexa provides some security recommendations if it turns out you are vulnerable.

SEE: Special report: Cybersecurity in an IoT and mobile world (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

Development and programming

10. Programming Concepts

The Programming Concepts skill offers an assortment of programming-based details and definitions to broaden your noesis base of operations.

11. Coffee Programming Language Facts

Similarly, the Java programming language facts skill can provide random Java-related facts via the control "Alexa, open Java Geek."

12. Build a Website Tips

The Build a Website Tips skill works the same way and can provide diverse website building tips using the "Alexa open website tips" command.

13. Coding Questions

To upward the dues, the Coding Questions skill can quiz y'all on programming challenges to aid sharpen your abilities.

Full general utilities

fourteen. Rudimentary countersign generator

If you're terrible at thinking up unique passwords, try the Rudimentary countersign generator skill. Just say "Alexa, open up scrambled keys," and follow her instructions to generate passwords of a specific or random length.

15. ASCII Converter

The ASCII Converter skill tin catechumen alphanumeric characters to ASCII or vice versa.

sixteen. Number Converter

Use the Number Converter skill to convert binary numbers to hexadecimal or vice versa, or work with other various base conversations.