How to use SNMP to
monitor your servers
PRTG uses
SNMP to monitor servers
Three PRTG
sensors for servers
Automated
alarm included
Tips for
configuring SNMP Server
Tips for
installing SNMP Server
3 SNMP sensors for getting started
SNMP Traffic Sensor
The SNMP Traffic Sensor shows you the amount of data that runs through your network or a specific network device. You’ll therefore be able to immediately see if a server is heavily strained or overloaded.
SNMP Hardware Status Sensor
This sensor comes in handy for determining whether one of your server’s hardware components is running or not. You can also create special sensors that monitor components such as CPU, memory, or hard disks separately.
SNMP Custom Sensor
The SNMP Custom Sensor is customizable. In search of a way to monitor your virtual servers, mail servers, or file servers? PRTG comes with preconfigured sensors for each and every one.
How PRTG defines sensors
In PRTG, “sensors” are the basic monitoring elements. One sensor usually monitors one measured value in your network, e.g. the traffic of a switch port, the CPU load of a server, the free space of a disk drive. On average you need about 5-10 sensors per device or one sensor per switch port.
Why SNMP-compatible servers are a good idea for your IT infrastructure
The standard
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) has been the standard protocol for network management for many years now. Reliable and robust, this protocol can be used to manage and monitor network devices such as servers, computers, routers, and switches. Pretty much every device – including those from the biggest manufacturers – supports SNMP. For more information, visit our page on SNMP. PRTG comes with preconfigured monitoring sensors for the servers of all the biggest manufacturers.
Uniformity
System administrators are often responsible for managing extremely complex networks made up of devices from many different manufacturers. These networks also use a number of different servers, including mail servers, database servers, and more. When monitoring, it therefore makes sense to focus on one central protocol. With PRTG, you can also use other protocols for your monitoring such as WMI for Windows servers, NetFlow, and packet sniffing.
Monitoring
PRTG is a centralized Windows monitoring tool. It comes with a built-in dashboard that lets you keep a constant eye on the status of your servers as well as your entire network. If something goes wrong, you’ll automatically receive an alert – before the problem gets out of hand and your coworkers or customers begin to notice. PRTG lets you take action at once. You can also try or use our software free of charge. The free version of PRTG comes with 100 sensors and all the software’s features. If this is all you need, then you can take advantage of network monitoring without having to spend a penny.
Monitor your servers via SNMP – even while on the go
PRTG is set up in a matter of minutes and can be used on a wide variety of mobile devices.
Configuring SNMP on your Windows servers: How it works
No two servers or Windows systems are operated in the same way. Nevertheless, we’d like to
provide you with some simple instructions for configuring SNMP. For more detailed instructions
(including screenshots), please see our blog article, in which we go over the various versions of
Windows and SNMP.
Step 1:
Determine if your server is compatible with SNMP
In general, Windows servers are compatible with SNMP. For other servers or devices, have a look in their manuals to find out if you can monitor them using SNMP. Product datasheets and manufacturer websites are also a good bet for finding information on whether a server is SNMP-compatible – and how to configure it.
Step 2:
Enable SNMP in your settings
Open “Programs and Features” in your Windows settings. Here you’ll find the SNMP function. Click the box to enable SNMP. For some Windows servers, the SNMP service must be installed anew.
Step 3:
Check the other settings
In the “Agent” category, check to make sure all the SNMP services are available. In “Security,” check the password, encryption, and port numbers. You can then create a sensor in PRTG.
Trusted by 500,000 users and recognized
by industry analysts as a leader
by industry analysts as a leader
“Fantastic network and infrastructure monitoring solution that is easy to deploy and easier still to use. Simply the best available.”
“Software is absolutely perfect, Support is superior. Meets all needs and requirements, this is a must have solution if you are needing any form of monitoring.”
“The tool excels at its primary focus of being a unified infrastructure management and network monitoring service.”
PRTG makes your job easier
Our monitoring software frees you to focus on other tasks by promptly notifying you of potential issues.
Save effort
PRTG gives you one central monitoring tool for your servers and entire network. Enjoy a quick overview of your whole infrastructure via our dashboard and app.
Save time
Getting started with PRTG is a breeze. Setting up or switching from another network monitoring tool is easy thanks to the auto-discovery and pre-configured device templates.
Save money
80% of our customers report substantial cost savings with network monitoring. Your costs of licenses will likely pay for themselves within weeks.
Software for SNMP server monitoring: 6 advantages of PRTG
Centralized monitoring
Many companies make do with whatever monitoring they can muster. They use a variety of small tools – usually free tools or open-source software – which can take a great deal of time and effort to set up and configure. With PRTG, you get one centralized tool that monitors your network devices, data packets, applications, and much more.
Easy-to-read dashboard
With PRTG, all your monitoring data is neatly displayed on one central dashboard. It only takes a quick glance to see if everything is OK. You can also consult the dashboard from your smartphone or tablet. As a result, you’ll enjoy peace of mind and can confidently go about your other tasks. PRTG runs continually in the background, 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
Automatic alarm
PRTG comes with an automated notification system. This alarm is included free of charge. It notifies you immediately in the event that a sensor picks up on a server error via SNMP. You get to choose the servers and devices that trigger alerts, as well as the means by which these alerts are sent (email, SMS, push notification, etc.).
Improved IT security
PRTG monitors your servers, firewalls, routers, and ports in real time to root out unusual activity. It is therefore a vital part of your security structure. Open ports, in particular, can serve as loopholes for viruses and attacks.
Get started for free
In search of some freeware to get a feel for monitoring with SNMP? Try the full version of PRTG for 30 days for free. After the trial period, you can continue to use 100 sensors as well as all the software’s major features, including the reporting function and the notification system. You can therefore opt for fewer SNMP sensors and continue using PRTG for free.
Custom licenses
At Paessler AG, we work hard to provide you with exactly the right software for your needs. We offer several custom licenses with sensor packages that meet the requirements of networks of all sizes. Tip: you’ll need about 10 sensors for every device you wish to monitor. Discover our selection of licenses here. Need more sensors down the line? No problem, you can upgrade whenever you like.
Create innovative solutions with Paessler’s IT partners
Partnering with innovative IT vendors, Paessler unleashes synergies to create
new and additional benefits for joined customers.
With ScriptRunner, Paessler integrates a powerful event automation platform into PRTG Network Monitor.
ScriptRunner
UVnetworks
UVexplorer integrates tightly with PRTG to bring fast and accurate network discovery, detailed device inventory, and automatic network mapping to the PRTG platform.
3 resources for SNMP-related problems
SNMP manuals
You’ll find the answers to numerous questions in our knowledge base – including many on SNMP. Here are 3 highlights: SNMP troubleshooting, how to install the SNMP service in Windows, and the customized monitoring of devices via SNMP. Can't find your question? Send us a message, we’ll be happy to respond!
SNMP tester
Having trouble querying data or communicating between PRTG and a specific device? Use our free SNMP tester to quickly get to the root of the problem. It sends simple SNMP queries at the protocol level and therefore helps with debugging.
SNMP videos
Wondering how to set up professional SNMP monitoring? Our videos provide step-by-step instructions on how to proceed. Simply choose “SNMP” in the menu and select the topic of your choice.
PRTG: The Swiss Army knife for sysadmins
Adapt PRTG individually and dynamically to your needs and rely on a strong API:- HTTP API: Access monitoring data and manipulate monitoring objects via HTTP requests
- Custom sensors: Create your own PRTG sensors for customized monitoring
- Custom notifications: Create your own notifications and send action triggers to external systems
- REST Custom sensor: Monitor almost everything that provides data in XML or JSON format
We asked: would you recommend PRTG?
Over 95% of our customers say yes!
Paessler AG conducted trials in over 600 IT departments worldwide to tune its network monitoring software closer to the needs of sysadmins.
The result of the survey: over 95% of the participants would recommend PRTG – or already have.
Still not convinced?
More than 500,000 sysadmins love PRTG
Paessler PRTG is used by companies of all sizes. Sysadmins love PRTG because it makes their job a whole lot easier.
Still not convinced?
Monitor your entire IT infrastructure
Bandwidth, servers, virtual environments, websites, VoIP services – PRTG keeps an eye on your entire network.
Try Paessler PRTG for free
Everyone has different monitoring needs. That’s why we let you try PRTG for free. Start now with your trial.
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PRTG |
Network Monitoring Software - Version 22.4.81.1532 (November 29th, 2022) |
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Hosting |
Download for Windows and cloud-based version PRTG Hosted Monitor available |
Languages |
English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese |
Pricing |
Up to 100 sensors for free (Price List) |
Unified Monitoring |
Network devices, bandwidth, servers, applications, virtual environments, remote systems, IoT, and more |
Supported Vendors & Applications |
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Other SNMP-related topics
Server monitoring
What are the best ways to monitor your servers? We’ve already covered some of the basics here. On our server monitoring page, you’ll find out which sensors can be used to monitor individual servers.
Ping monitoring
PRTG uses ping queries to check the availability of all the devices in your network. In the event of interruptions or malfunctions, you'll be notified at once. Learn more about our ping sensors here.
Combining the broad monitoring feature set of PRTG with IP Fabric’s automated network assurance creates a new level of network visibility and reliability.