I wrote recently about 10 ways Alexa tin can assistance you go your work done, which focused on a broad set of business concern-related objectives the Amazon Echo (aka Alexa) can perform for you via vocalism commands. Alexa utilizes diverse features known as skills to conduct these operations, and you can piece of work with these skills via the Alexa app or spider web interface.

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

SEE: Alexa Skills: Cheat sheet (TechRepublic)

Networking

1. MyNetLyzer

The MyNetLyzer skill can assist you diagnose issues with your home network such as poor performance and determining what is connected to the network. Yous can say "Ask myNetLyzer what is my network performance," "Ask myNetLyzer what are my connected devices," or "Enquire myNetlyzer what is my performance report for a week." It does require you to link your Amazon business relationship and annals your devices with MyNetLyzer via their portal page, which can also provide insights into how your network is operating.

2. Port Numbers

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

three. Subnet Calculator

For those of us who dabble in subnet calculations, Alexa can also be a sorcerer in handling this task for you lot via the Subnet Calculator skill. You can inquire questions such as "Alexa, ask Subnet Calculator what is the subnet mask for a slash 27?" and she volition read off the mask. Co-ordinate to the skill's developers, time to come updates volition provide network and broadcast address for a given host accost, as well as other subnet calculations.

See: Internet of Things policy (Tech Pro Research)

Obtaining public IP address/domain data

4. IP Lookup

Alexa tin determine IP address/domain information and location using the IP Lookup skill. Say: "Alexa, ask IP lookup where is eight.8.8.8," for instance, and she will identify the domain as owned by Google and where they are located.

5. Domain Name Info

The Domain Name Info skill can obtain DNS data related to requested domains. But say, "Alexa, launch Domain Name Info." She will and then inquire what domain you lot want to enquiry, and can provide the A Tape (IPv4 address), AAAA Record (IPv6 address) MX Record (Mail service Exchange) or TXT Tape (Text).

6. Server Status

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

7. DNS Tools

The DNS Tools skill performs a like yet simpler function and can obtain forward and reverse DNS lookups. You could utilise the command "Alexa, ask DNS Tools to get the IP address for techrepublic.com" to get the IP accost of 64.30.228.108. You could likewise say: "Alexa, ask DNS Tools to get the domain for 64.xxx.228.108."

Security advice

8. Security Flashcards

The Security flashcards skill can assist you learn more than about security terms and gear up for exams. Say: "Alexa, open up Security flashcards," and she can define various terms. I asked well-nigh phishing, for example, and she provided information on the concept.

nine. Hack Me

The Hack Me skill can tell you if your Amazon-linked email address has been involved in a security breach, and if and then when and which organization was involved. Sadly, I found my email address had been associated with three breaches, simply I changed my password in the aftermath. Alexa provides some security recommendations if information technology turns out you are vulnerable.

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

Evolution and programming

10. Programming Concepts

The Programming Concepts skill offers an array of programming-based details and definitions to augment your noesis base.

xi. Java 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 aforementioned fashion and tin provide various website building tips using the "Alexa open website tips" command.

thirteen. Coding Questions

To up the ante, the Coding Questions skill can quiz you on programming challenges to aid sharpen your abilities.

General utilities

14. Rudimentary password generator

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

15. ASCII Converter

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

16. Number Converter

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