The observation of critical Linux servers and applications is a vital aspect of systems administration. Network services are commonly monitored for performance, availability, or both. IPNetwork Monitor offers both availability and performance monitoring capabilities for Linux servers.
Monitoring Linux systems is achievable using two approaches in the current IPNetwork Monitor version:
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). This method requires installation of an “SNMP agent,” such as net-SNMP, on the monitored computers;
SSH (Secure Shell). You have the option to develop a custom script for your specific needs or utilize several pre-configured SSH monitors.
The current IPNetwork Monitor version can monitor Unix/Linux systems using specialized monitors supporting Linux/UNIX without requiring installations or modifications on the target machines. Data collection for CPU load, memory utilization, disk space, etc., is performed using either SSH scripts or the SNMP protocol.
Linux Network Monitoring
Leveraging SSH scripts or SNMP, IPNetwork Monitor can gather information regarding CPU load, memory consumption, and hard drive metrics (free space, swap file usage) directly from Ubuntu systems. Ubuntu server and network surveillance can be accomplished using the following monitor types:
CPU Load Monitor: Tracks the load average of a Linux/UNIX system via Secure Shell (SSH connection) or the SNMP protocol.
Available Disk Space: Supervises the available free disk space. It displays the aggregate free disk space (sum) and the free disk space percentage for each mounted partition (volume) using either an SSH connection or the SNMP protocol.
Swap Usage: Observes the swap usage percentage for each disk (partition) via SSH or SNMP. Elevated swap usage can indicate system performance degradation.
Processes Total: Keeps track of the number of active processes on the system using either an SSH connection or the SNMP protocol. A higher number often correlates with reduced system speed.
Number of User Sessions: Tracks the number of user sessions via SSH. Maintaining a low number is advisable.
SNMP Traffic Volume: Measures traffic volume on a device over a specified duration using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
SNMP Traffic Speed: Measures the average traffic speed on a device using SNMP.
Device availability can also be verified using a PING monitor.
When SSH is employed, data transmission occurs over a secure connection, guaranteeing the security of your systems during the transfer of monitoring data across the network.
While these monitors can be referred to as “Linux monitors,” SSH is also compatible with Mac OS X, allowing seamless integration of Macintosh monitoring into IPNetwork Monitor.
IPNetwork Monitor is More Than an Ubuntu Network Monitor
Network and server monitoring is streamlined with IPNetwork Monitor. Network monitoring templates facilitate the monitoring of Linux and Windows servers, file servers, web servers, and more. CPU monitoring provides insights into server and workstation loads, enabling more balanced load distribution and enhanced network speed and performance.
WMI monitoring (Windows Management Instrumentation) offers advanced capabilities for managing Windows-based systems.
