PRTG Manual: System Requirements

PRTG Network Monitor consists of two main system parts, the PRTG core server and one or more probes. For details, see section Architecture and User Interfaces.

If you want to use PRTG on premises, you need to install the PRTG server on a computer that meets the System Requirements for PRTG Core Server (PRTG on Premises).
If you want to use PRTG hosted by Paessler, you need to install at least one remote probe on a computer the meets the System Requirements for PRTG Remote Probes.

System Requirements for PRTG Core Server (PRTG on Premises)

To install a PRTG on premises server and work with it, you need to meet the following requirements:

A current PC or server with at least a dual core CPU and a minimum of 2048 MB RAM memory is sufficient for the PRTG server.
We recommend that you use the operating system Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 for best performance.
A web browser to access the web interface. The following browsers are officially supported:

Google Chrome 61 or later (recommended)
Mozilla Firefox 56 or later
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11

PRTG hosted by Paessler does not require any hardware for the PRTG server, but at least one remote probe installation is necessary to monitor your local network when using PRTG hosted by Paessler.

System Requirements for PRTG Remote Probes

Hardware
A current PC or server with at least a dual core CPU and a minimum of 2048 MB RAM memory is sufficient for remote probes.
Operating system
We recommend that you use the operating system Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 for best performance. Microsoft Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 are also good options for remote probes.

Stable network connection
Remote probes require a stable network connection between the PRTG server and the remote probe. Remote probes that connect to a PRTG hosted by Paessler server need a reliable internet connection. Unstable connections, for example via 3G, might work but it is possible that you lose monitoring data if the connection is non-reliable.

Why are remote probes helpful for monitoring with PRTG? Because you can extend your monitoring.

Remote probes allow you to monitor different sub-networks that are separated by a firewall from your PRTG on premises core server and to keep an eye on remote locations. You can install one or more remote probes.
Remote probes are useful if you want to distribute monitoring load by taking it from the system running the PRTG core server and putting it on one or more remote probe machines.
You will need a remote probe if you want to monitor your local network using a PRTG hosted by Paessler instance.
Remote probes may be suitable monitoring components in several individual scenarios that depend on your custom network setup.

Planning a PRTG on Premises Installation With Hundreds of Sensors or More?

The maximum number of sensors you can monitor with one PRTG on premises installation mainly depends on the monitoring technology and the monitoring intervals you use. In general, we recommend that you use a dedicated physical machine to run both the PRTG core server and PRTG remote probes.

For more information, see section Detailed System Requirements.

PRTG hosted by Paessler is restricted to max. 5,000 sensors, more sensors are not possible. This number of sensors is available in the PRTG-5000 subscription.