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Looking for “free” Server Monitoring utility

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Anyone know of a simple and safe freeware/shareware utility I could use to periodically ping my servers automatically and then send me an email alert if one becomes un-reachable? Just something simple that could run on a desktop PC even. What’s Up Gold is a good product but is $795 I think. Yes – simple, safe, and free would be good!!

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Reply To: Looking for “free” Server Monitoring utility

In reply to Looking for “free” Server Monitoring utility

ethereal.
snort

both good monitoring for traffic.
just have thier logs being made on your remote system, when logs are not being updated then the server is down.

Try this

In reply to Looking for “free” Server Monitoring utility

I was looking for this not too long ago for some ‘smaller’ jobs. There are all kinds of them out there, but none would give notifications.

We now use MonitorMagic and are extremely happy with the product.

It’s highly customizable & alerts can be escalated if not responded to. You can also use it to (auto) restart hung services or restart servers depending on conditions.

Check it out http://www.tools4ever.com/

They also offer free a free ping monitor

Good stuff

In reply to Try this

Thanks for the link. I learn more about various products and utilities here than I do anywhere else.

I will read up on the features. This stuff is vital in a conscious analysis and threat prevention approach. 🙂

Your welcome

In reply to Good stuff

That’s a great product, I’ve used it with up to 43 Servers………The automation and reporting alone is worth the cost.

In the larger farms we go with HP Openview and MOM (MS Operations Manager).

Have a good one, DAFE2

Licencing?

In reply to Your welcome

Is it per node or a one shot software price?

Per Server (includes 10 nodes/devices)

In reply to Licencing?

They have an ‘enterprise’ program…..so I’ask them for a quote.

heh..

In reply to Try this

interesting link. 🙂

but why ether & snort , what does he want to monitor – the packet traffic going to and from server? there will be a lot of it.

what you want to focus on is setting up the server OS to log properly exactly what you want it to log, and monitoring those server logs constantly. a good thing to do is have the thing email you any problem logs as they occur.

Hey Sec;

In reply to heh..

That wasn’t me……..I don’t use Ethereal or Snort (Actually, if I find them on my networks I delete them :-))

I only use three tools in OPS:

Monitor Magic for less than 50 Servers

Microsoft Operations Manager and HP OPenview for any larger than that.

Alltough I found the name of MM a little ‘tacky’ it’s proven to be one hell of a solid product and has saved my a.ss a few time with alerts and alert escalation.

It DOES require effort to setup properly, but it’s well worth it. For $700 ca it’s money well spent.

True

In reply to heh..

Are you saying that we should create baselines and monitor the resources locally or remotely? How about we use the Network Performance Monitor itself?

Baselines

In reply to True

MM uses Performance Monitor Objects/Counters etc.. to collect data.

The advantage is to graphically display results in more ‘meaningful’ ways to the non-tech crowd when you want to fund a new project 🙂

automate it..

In reply to True

Yes, you can create baselines. But what I am getting at is that you should use the technology at your disposal and automate the process.

Most server downtime results for sys admins not bothering to look at the *.err logs or the event logs for windows. You don’t have to SSL or RD to the box to look at it and you don’t have to schedule time out of your busy day to do it. Have the server email you the problems so you are getting everything from a single support point of pickup – your email client.

SL

Opensource monitoring solution

In reply to Looking for “free” Server Monitoring utility

OpenNMS should do what you need and a whole bunch more:

http://www.opennms.org

Another Open Source NMS…

In reply to Opensource monitoring solution

Check out http://www.jffnms.org/. Despite the less then serious name, (Just For Fun NMS) it’s got a lot capability. Takes a bit to set up, but the price is right and has an impressive interface.

Dhyan NMS

In reply to Another Open Source NMS…

Dhyan Infotech, software and services company providing NMS to companies in telecom and networking markets.

To know more visit

http://www.dhyanit.com

Server Monitoring

In reply to Looking for “free” Server Monitoring utility

I’m assuming that you want something for Windows…
Check out Fpinger (www.kilievitch.com) — it wasn’t free but it was inexpensive and it works for me…

“free” Server Monitoring utility

In reply to Looking for “free” Server Monitoring utility

Try FREEPing, used by LOTS of people. You can get more information at http://www.tools4ever.com/products/free/freeping/
and can download it from the website.

I work for Tools4ever and came across your inquiry today.

Dennis Cutler
Tools4ever
516-482-4414

WebWatchBot Server Monitoring

In reply to Looking for “free” Server Monitoring utility

For a PC based app, check out WebWatchBot: http://www.exclamationsoft.com/webwatchbot/

It does simple ping and other stuff. It’s not free, but far cheaper than $795

Server Monitor

In reply to Looking for “free” Server Monitoring utility

I use a program called “Servers Alive”. It is free up to 10 devices and around 20 dollars if you want to monitor more. You can even set it up a modem on the machine you install Servers Alive to call you if one of the monitored devices goes down. Works great for me.

ServersAlive

In reply to Looking for “free” Server Monitoring utility

This is the best product I have ever used for the price. Free for 10 servers or less. Somewhere around $250 for 5000 servers
http://www.serversalive.com/

LogicMonitor will save you time

In reply to Looking for “free” Server Monitoring utility

If you don’t want to spend a lot of time cobbling together different tools to get good monitoring, LogicMonitor is pre-configured. Just enter the IP address and your work is done. http://www.logicmonitor.com/

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