Server Monitoring Software

[DesignerNick]

Does anybody know of a decent server monitoring software? Will be looking to monitor Windows Servers for things like drive space, updates available (if possible), cpu usage, memory usage.

Ideally it will go to a central monitoring server which can alert me to any issues so I can be pro active.

I just wondered what you IT bods use.

Thanks

 

[edmondscommerce]

I did until you said Windows

 

[chip_y2kuk]

Nagios and nsclient.

I use it to monitor everything (not yet got it to monitor windows updates, but does linux)
Traffic, disk space, processor usage, uptime, running services etc.

Joe

 

[Posilan]

Nagios and nsclient.

I use it to monitor everything (not yet got it to monitor windows updates, but does linux)
Traffic, disk space, processor usage, uptime, running services etc.

Joe

This ^^

We use it to monitor all our servers/services.

Steve

 

[chip_y2kuk]

This ^^

We use it to monitor all our servers/services.

Steve

do you also monitor windows updates available?

i had a script but couldn't get it to work

joe

 

[Posilan]

do you also monitor windows updates available?

i had a script but couldn't get it to work

joe

No, it's primarily used for Linux here, but do use nsclient to monitor Windows servers.

We use LogMeIn Pro for all Windows PC's & Servers which monitors & alerts for Windows updates etc.

Steve

 

[chip_y2kuk]

No, it's primarily used for Linux here, but do use nsclient to monitor Windows servers.

We use LogMeIn Pro for all Windows PC's & Servers which monitors & alerts for Windows updates etc.

Steve

yeah i have it monitoring my web platform (all linux) and me netbook, a windows server

the linux boxes are all monitored for updates and an alert is triggered if there are updates available but i never managed to get it to work on windows.

do you use mrtg to monitor traffic? (mbps)

joe

 

[lynxus]

+1 for Nagios
I also use Cacti and a lot of custom scripts.

 

[chip_y2kuk]

+1 for Nagios
I also use Cacti and a lot of custom scripts.

why would you use cacti at all?

nagios (whether things are working)
nagiosgraph (how well their working, in nice graphs)
mrtg (for monitoring traffic usage and data transfer's in mbps in nagios)

joe

 

[lynxus]

why would you use cacti at all?

nagios (whether things are working)
nagiosgraph (how well their working, in nice graphs)
mrtg (for monitoring traffic usage and data transfer's in mbps in nagios)

joe

Mainly because "its what i know"
But its used for basic host checking ( is it up ) then emails an error.

Then its mostly used for network usage and things like mysql usage, httpd connections.. stuff like that

 

[chip_y2kuk]

Mainly because "its what i know"
But its used for basic host checking ( is it up ) then emails an error.

Then its mostly used for network usage and things like mysql usage, httpd connections.. stuff like that

Cool, you can setup nagios to monitor mysql (i've got that working) and httpd connections (never tried that but know it can be done)

 

[RAIDMEUK]

I've always favoured Solarwinds Orion NPM 10 with SW Patch Manager on the same server.

 

[RAIDMEUK]

oriondemo.solarwinds.com/Orion/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f

 

[KM-Tiger]

Cool, you can setup nagios to monitor mysql (i've got that working) and httpd connections (never tried that but know it can be done)

Nagios can monitor almost anything on *nix systems.

If there isn't a plugin available, they are not that hard to write.

 

[webhostuk]

Yes Nagios is the perfect tool to use if configured correctly.

 

[Optegris]

Paessler PRTG: http://www.paessler.com/prtg

It beats the pants off Nagios in terms of deployment time and ease of use. Runs on Windows but also monitors Linux systems very well. We have around 2,000 checks running over 100's of services every 60 seconds and it's faultless...

 

[Posilan]

It beats the pants off Nagios in terms of deployment time and ease of use.

Why do you say that? Once the Nagios core is set up, you can add an extra server to be monitored within seconds, and that includes the installation of nrpe server on the remote box...

Steve

 

[Optegris]

I'm speaking from personal experience of using the two systems.

With PRTG I download a probe, open the firewall port and add my monitored services or use the auto discovery.

With Nagios I found the whole process a lot more time consuming especially monitoring Windows servers...

 

[nkukard]

Zabbix is pretty decent

 

[Posilan]

I'm speaking from personal experience of using the two systems.

With PRTG I download a probe, open the firewall port and add my monitored services or use the auto discovery.

With Nagios I found the whole process a lot more time consuming especially monitoring Windows servers...

Thanks - the freeware version seems to be limited to just 10 "sensors" though - is that right?

Steve

 

[JohnGeek]

PowerAdmin provides a full server monitoring solution for Windows Server.

 

[jaydeee]

Task Manager do to me.
Anyways, what specific features you want to monitor?

 

[NeilT]

This is our field of expertise - proactive management.

We deploy agents to servers, set thresholds, alerts and either we can set actions to remedy the problem or just flag this up to the customer.
Typical monitors: CPU, RAM, Disk space, AV out of date, X service failed

Software and hardware audits, patch management etc are also in the package if required.

This solutions is possible cheaper than purchasing the software yourself.

 

[susanal]

Task Manager do to me.
Anyways, what specific features you want to monitor?

What if some programs may not show on task manager?

 

[ecenica]

+1 for Nagios (customised)

We've used PRTG in the distant past. Good solid chunk of German software. If you're more familiar with Windows GUI you might find it better suited to your needs.

Rich

 

[Jim2k]

Another Nagios user here. Its free, its customisable and its lightweight. Currently have a test monitoring system on the Raspberry Pi and it works a treat. Currently use another RPi to output the monitoring page on a nice big flatscreen on the wall.