Professional all-in-one
WMI monitoring software
PRTG monitors Microsoft servers and workstations with WMI
Hybrid Windows sensors included using performance counters
and WMI
PRTG incorporates other technologies such as SNMP
WMI monitoring with PRTG
Jump to the topic of your choice
- Why you should consider using WMI Monitoring
- What is WMI Monitoring?
- PRTG solves Traffic Monitoring: WMI, SNMP, Packet Sniffing, NetFlow in comparison
- An overview: WMI, SNMP, packet sniffing, xFlow
- Get started at once: More than 10 WMI sensors are predefined in PRTG
- WMI Monitoring: Why PRTG is the right choice for you!
- Paessler Study on WMI Network Monitoring
- Table with the full results from the 2012 WMI test
- Results of the 2012 WMI test as a bar chart
- WMI monitoring got you stuck? Use our PRTG WMI Tester!
- Things to consider for your WMI Monitoring
Why you should consider using WMI Monitoring
WMI Monitoring gives you detailed insights into your servers and workstations running Windows. Through WMI you can access many Windows system status values and configurations. WMI can also be used to monitor things like Active Directory, SharePoint, or a SQL database. WMI Monitoring with PRTG also provides you with important metrics like bandwidth usage, memory load or free disk space.
If you have a special corner case, there's also the possibility to create a custom query and monitor the returned values.
What is WMI Monitoring?
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.
WMI is Microsoft standard
The Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is a commonly used Microsoft standard which provides detailed data during a centralized monitoring of Windows workstations and servers. WMI shows information about, among others, operating system metrics, process state, service state and file system usage. The standard is based on the DCOM (Distributed Component Object Model) communication protocol and has been an integral part of all Windows operating systems since 2000.
WMI Monitoring is a technology for agentless monitoring of Microsoft servers and workstations. A WMI Monitor gives you insights into real-time performance of any Windows server or application.
WMI is the default protocol
WMI is enabled by default in Windows workstations and servers and runs as a Windows service (“Windows Management Instrumentation”). Initially, administrators do not need to worry about how they are going to monitor their servers or workstations, for in simple scenarios the entering of administrator access data on the target device usually suffices. WMI is able to access a variety of Windows performance data, such as CPU load, memory utilization, data traffic on the network card, and other information.
WMI is resource-hungry
But there is also a downside: WMI is resource-hungry. It puts a heavy burden on your system. We recommend using a maximum of 200 WMI sensors in the PRTG probe system, and implementing a longer scanning interval. While an interval of one minute is generally the norm, this interval should be increased to five minutes with WMI.
Alternative 1: As an alternative to WMI, administrators may use SNMP for their monitoring. With SNMP, a number of parameters are also queried by default, such as availability, CPU load, memory, and network card information. SNMP uses a significantly lower load, but in most cases must be set up on target computers and servers first.
Alternative 2: Hybrid sensors, which use Windows performance counters as the primary method for requesting data, are another alternative to WMI. These sensors are much more effective than WMI. At the same time, WMI is used as a fallback should the performance counters not be available.
Traffic Monitoring: WMI, SNMP, Packet Sniffing, NetFlow in comparison
How would you like to implement your bandwidth monitoring?
PRTG features a variety of different options, both with WMI and SNMP Monitoring, Packet Sniffing und NetFlow Monitoring. Each of these tools has its own pluses and minuses. A summary:
An overview: WMI, SNMP, packet sniffing, Flow
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| WMI | SNMP | Packet Sniffer | Flow (IPFIX, NetFlow, sFlow, jFlow) |
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| Setup | Medium | Easy | Easy to complex (depending on filter rules used) | Can be complex (e.g., the switch must be configured) |
| Traffic can be filtered |
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| Differentiate bandwidth usage by protocol or IPs |
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| PRTG can show Toplists (Top Talker, Top Connections, Top Protocols, custom) |
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| Filter bandwidth usage by IP |
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| Filter bandwidth usage by MAC address |
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| Filter bandwidth usage by physical network port |
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| Monitor network parameters other than bandwidth usage |
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| CPU load on the machine running PRTG | Medium | Low | Higher, depends on the amount of traffic | Higher, depends on the amount of traffic |
| Excess bandwidth usage of monitoring | Small | Small | None (except when monitoring switch ports are used) | Depends on the traffic |
Get started at once: More than 10 WMI sensors are predefined in PRTG
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.
PRTG features a wide variety of WMI sensors. You can also create individual WMI sensors with just a few clicks.
Some examples:
- Windows System Uptime Sensor: The Windows System Uptime sensor measures the operating time of your network’s Windows devices with WMI.
- Windows CPU Load Sensor: The Windows CPU Load sensor monitors the CPU load of your computer with WMI.
- WMI File Sensor: With the WMI File sensor, you can monitor the files of your Windows server and workstations.
- WMI Free Disk Space (Multi Disk) Sensor: Monitor your server’s free disk space with this sensor.
- WMI Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Sensor: With this sensor, you can monitor your SQL database. Also available for SQL 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
- Windows Network Card Sensor: Use this sensor to monitor data traffic and bandwidth use on the network card of a Windows computer.
- WMI SharePoint Process Sensor: Use the WMI SharePoint Process sensor to monitor your Microsoft SharePoint server.
- WMI Security Center Sensor: This sensor monitors all security protocols used by the Windows Security Center.
- PerfCounter Custom Sensor: This sensor monitors a set of Windows performance counters which you configure yourself.
- WMI Custom Sensor: With the WMI Custom sensor, you can create your own WMI sensor with a customized WQL query.
- WMI Storage Pool Sensor: This sensor monitors a storage pool.
- WMI Battery Sensor: This sensor monitors the available capacity and the state of connected batteries of a Windows-based device.
Your WMI sensors at a glance – even on the go
PRTG is set up in a matter of minutes and can be used on a wide variety of mobile devices.
WMI Monitoring: Why PRTG is the right choice for you!
20 years of experience
PRTG is the fruit of the PAESSLER AG, which was founded in 1997. Our Windows performance monitoring software is our only product, and thus gets the full attention of all our developers. Our Support department has encountered practically every problem associated with WMI - and is equipped to offer you solutions or alternatives.
500,000 administrators
Over 500,000 administrators worldwide use our network monitoring tool. In particular, our software is used for complex systems and infrastructures which require a high degree of reliability. Read more on this topic in our Case Studies.
Easy setup
PRTG comes with more than 250 standard sensors, some of which are automatically created during setup. Among these are numerous WMI sensors. You can even create your own custom WMI sensors to meet the specific requirements of your system.
Built-in alarm
PRTG features a built-in notification system that is quick and easy to configure. PRTG alerts you promptly - before the onset of more serious problems. At the same time, the alarm feature can be configured so you are not flooded with notifications. This means you can focus on your other tasks with peace of mind.
All-in-one monitoring
PRTG is a comprehensive monitoring solution. Thanks to our tool, you can keep an eye on your servers, workstations, virtual environments, and much more. Whether WMI, SNMP, Packet Sniffing, or NetFlow: With PRTG, you get access to several different protocols.
“We can all work with greater peace of mind knowing
that our systems are constantly being monitored.”
Markus Puke, Network Administrator, Schüchtermann Klinik, Germany
Trusted by 500,000 users and recognized
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.”
You got stuck with your WMI monitoring? Use our PRTG WMI Tester!
WMI tends to be racked with problems. It is complicated to configure, e.g. when it comes to access rights or when the monitoring is to be set up outside a particular domain. Thanks to the PRTG WMI Tester, you can quickly determine if it is possible to access the target device from your PRTG server with WMI, and establish the causes of errors.
WMI Tester main screen
Practical tip: Hey Volker, do you have any WMI Monitoring tips up your sleeve?
„WMI is awesome technology for monitoring Windows computers. If problems do occur, they are often the result of an overload which arises from the querying of too many target devices with too many sensors in too short of intervals. Otherwise, WMI encounters problems with network access rights and domain restrictions. In both cases, I would recommend setting up one or more PRTG remote probes so you can find a quick and easy solution."
Volker Uffelmann, PRTG Software Developer
Create innovative solutions with Paessler’s IT partners
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new and additional benefits for joined customers.
With ScriptRunner, Paessler integrates a powerful event automation platform into PRTG Network Monitor.
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Things to consider for your WMI Monitoring
In order for WMI monitoring to function properly, a number of requirements must first be met. Here is an initial overview:
Rights
The Windows user who sends WMI requests via PRTG must possess appropriate access rights. The user should be a member of the domain’s administrator group in the same Active Directory as the target computer. The respective user must also possess remote access rights.
DCOM
The DCOM communication protocol must be activated on both the PRTG server and the target. DCOM requires open UDP ports between 1024 and 5000 and chooses one of these ports dynamically.
Firewall
Configure your firewall so WMI requests are allowed to pass through. You should also activate “Enable Remote Management” if the firewall is set up according to group guidelines.
Security Software
Local security software such as anti-virus programs should also be checked to ensure WMI connections do not become blocked.
RPC Server
The RPC server, which is used for WMI on the target computer, runs by default on port 135. It is important to ensure that this port is not blocked by another network (hardware) firewall and that the settings in PRTG conform to it.
Find out more on this topic in this detailed article in our Knowledge Base. For information on the most common problems associated with this server (and their corresponding solutions), please see this additional article.
PRTG: The multi-tool 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
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 23.3.88.1393 (September 20th, 2023) |
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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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