Since the remote probe software version needs to match the IPCheck host software version it is always necessary to update the probe’s software each time the host’s software is updated.
In order to automate the process and to update the software in such a manner that the actual users working on the target machines barely notice the process, the following steps can be taken for a “silent” install.
The LINKSYS WRT54G/GS routers are quite popular and offer the ability to upload your own firmware. With the right firmware you can monitor the router using SNMP.
We have published a new beta of IPCheck Server Monitor that adds a couple of new and interesting features.
(more…)
The latest beta version of PRTG 6 adds a feature that has been requested numerous times by many customers: Graph Aggregation! Using aggregated graphing you can now sum up the traffic data of two or more ports and use it just a like a new sensor for graphs, tables and reports.
We have published a new article in our knowledge base that explains how you can use the Custom Script sensor of IPCheck Server Monitor to monitor non-integer values via SNMP.
Now there is a brand new version of our MIB Importer Tool available on the website. With this software you can easily import MIB files and convert them into OID libraries for PRTG Traffic Grapher and IPCheck Server Monitor.
Microsoft now offers preconfigured virtual machines that enable you to test drive setups of some of their server systems using MS Virtual Server 2005 R2.
Today we have uploaded a new guided tour movie for PRTG Traffic Grapher onto our website. The tour shows how easy it is to create a sensor within PRTG’s Windows user interface.
A new interesting online tool helps you to analyze how a browser downloads the elements of a page. All single HTTP requests with their timing are shown in an easy to read graph.
Question #5: Does It Support the Three Common Methods for Acquiring Network-Usage Data?
A comprehensive bandwidth-monitoring solution should support Packet Sniffer applications, as well as SNMP and NetFlow protocols. Each data-acquisition method has pros and cons — depending on your network configuration and your monitoring needs. That said, your bandwidth-monitoring solution should support all three methods and allow you to effectively monitor your traffic regardless of your current or future network configuration.
Here is a brief description and analysis of each method:
Advantage: Exact data, traffic can be accounted by IP and protocol.
Disadvantage: High load on monitoring system for high-traffic systems; network topology must be changed, so that all packets in the network are sent to the analyzing machine.
Advantage: Best choice for high-traffic networks that need protocol analysis
Disadvantage: Only works with Cisco routers.
Advantage: Low bandwidth and CPU load caused by monitoring itself. Best choice for high-traffic networks that don’t need protocol analysis
Disadvantage: Traffic can only be monitored in totals per device/port and cannot be differentiated by protocol.
Note: Only Packet Sniffer- and NetFlow-based monitoring methods allow you to measure traffic by IP address, MAC address and/or protocol. SNMP-based measurements are strictly port-based.