Network monitoring conventionally consists of observing a system's bandwidth usage in order to determine choke points or to analyze equipment or software problems. Nagios and MRTG are useful, no-cost monitoring tools that operate under Linux and can be used to understand mixed-platform networks where UNIX and MS Windows coexist. Progent's IT support consultants can help you use both these utilities to optimize and troubleshoot your infrastructure.
Nagios Open Source Monitoring Application The Nagios monitoring system is a host and service monitor that operates with Linux or a UNIX variant. The monitoring daemon executes intermittent checks on servers and services you request by means of external plug-ins which return status data to Nagios. When problems are encountered, the daemon can generate notifications to administrative contacts in a number of ways such as email, instant messaging, or Short Message Service. Current status information, archival logs, and analysis reports can be examined using the web.
Key capabilities of the Nagios monitor include:
Tracking of network services such as SMTP, HTTP, FTP, and PING
Tracking of host resources: CPU load, disk and memory utilization, running processes, etc.
Ability to define network host ranking, permitting distinction between hosts that are not running vs. hosts that are unreachable
Support personnel alerts via e-mail, pager, or other pre-specified means when service or machine problems are detected or get resolved
Option to define scripts to be executed during service or machine events for proactive problem resolution
Accommodation for implementing redundant and distributed monitoring servers
Outboard command option that allows ad hoc edits to be defined for the tracking and alerting activity through the use of event scripts, the web interface, and independent applications
Retention of host and service state after program restarts
Scheduled offline periods for eliminating host and service notifications when there are intentional service breaks
Web applet for examining current system state, notification and anomaly archive, event logs, etc.
Authorization scheme that enables you to restrict what customers can see and modify from the web interface
MRTG Graphical Traffic Load Monitor Multi Router Traffic Grapher (MRTG) is an Open Source tool to monitor the traffic load on your network. Powered by Windows or Linux and most UNIX platforms, MRTG reads the traffic counters of routers and produces web pages which offer a live visual depiction of this traffic.
Multi Router Traffic Grapher allows you to graph the bandwidth through any SNMP-enabled network device. This includes servers, routers, and switches. You can use the resulting information to identify system trouble spots.
Data you can depict with MRTG include:
Throughput in and out in bits or bytes per second
Connection rate in connections per second
Throughput through a particular VIP server or node server
Number of concurrent sessions
Contact Progent for Network Monitoring Help
Progent’s network monitoring specialists are skilled in operating a number of network monitoring tools that can help you to repair or optimize your connectivity infrastructure. For network monitoring expertise, call Progent at 800-993-9400 or email linux-help@progent.com.
Progent's Microsoft, Cisco, and Applications Consulting Expertise
Progent's Microsoft and Cisco certified professionals provide clients in San Francisco, San Jose, and in select cities across the United States a broad range of expertise concerning the fundamental information technology requirements shared by typical small and mid-size business networks. Progent's primary consulting areas include network integration, MS Exchange consulting, network security consulting and Help Desk outsourcing and support. Progent's Application Experts Team offers in-depth knowledge of key application areas. By offering a single source for information technology generalists and experts, Progent can tailor speedy, economical and thorough network solutions that address the special needs of your company.
The Nagios monitoring system is a host and service monitor that operates with Linux or a UNIX variant. The monitoring daemon executes intermittent checks on servers and services you request by means of external plug-ins which return status data to Nagios. When problems are encountered, the daemon can generate notifications to administrative contacts in a number of ways such as email, instant messaging, or Short Message Service. Current status information, archival logs, and analysis reports can be examined using the web.
Multi Router Traffic Grapher (MRTG) is an Open Source tool to monitor the traffic load on your network. Powered by Windows or Linux and most UNIX platforms, MRTG reads the traffic counters of routers and produces web pages which offer a live visual depiction of this traffic.
