GFI Network Server Monitor 7.0 Manual By GFI Software Ltd.
GFI SOFTWARE Ltd. http://www.gfi.com E-mail: info@gfi.com Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Companies, names, and data used in examples herein are fictitious unless otherwise noted. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of GFI SOFTWARE Ltd. GFI Network Server Monitor is copyright of GFI SOFTWARE Ltd. 2000-2005 GFI SOFTWARE Ltd.
Contents Introduction 1 Introduction to GFI Network Server Monitor (GFI NSM)................................................ 1 Key features ...................................................................................................................1 GFI Network Server Monitor components ..................................................................... 7 Network Server Monitor Engine ........................................................................ 7 Network Server Monitor configuration .
Email Route check .......................................................................................... 53 SNMP monitoring checks............................................................................................. 58 Generic SNMP function .................................................................................. 58 Windows OS generic checks ....................................................................................... 60 Generic VB Script ......................................
Global alerting options 107 Introduction ................................................................................................................107 Mail server settings ....................................................................................................107 Adding a Mail server .....................................................................................108 Edit existing mail server details.....................................................................
SNMP audit ................................................................................................................166 SNMP walk.................................................................................................................167 Other features 169 Export configurations .................................................................................................169 Import configurations.............................................................................................
Introduction Introduction to GFI Network Server Monitor (GFI NSM) GFI Network Server Monitor is a network and server monitoring tool that allows administrators to monitor the network for failures or irregularities automatically.
the computers that you wish to monitor. The Network Monitor Engine is multi-threading and can run 24 checks at a time. This software architecture allows for high reliability and scalability to monitor both large and small networks. Setup monitor checks using wizards Check setup wizards help the user to quickly set up an efficient monitoring system using the built-in checks available in just few steps. It is also possible to create a batch of checks simultaneously using the Quick Start Wizard.
Support for nested folders Nested folders (folders contained within other folders) are available in the Enterprise/Consultant editions of GFI Network Server Monitor. Through nested folders, you can organize monitoring checks into a hierarchical structure that reflects specialized monitoring network needs (e.g., grouping of monitoring checks by zone, companies being served, or check type grouping).
• Process running function – Checks that processes are running on specified target computers. • Users and Groups Membership function – Monitors user groups against the presence of unauthorized users. Built-in checks for Windows applications • Generic ISA Server check – Monitors the status of ISA Server services. • Generic Exchange Server check – Monitors the status of Exchange services and important performance counters.
Built-in checks for SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) • SNMP function – Monitors specified variables on remote computers or devices via the SNMP GET message. Built-in checks for Linux/Unix OS • Generic Secure Shell (SSH) check – Allows you to create custom monitor functions which can be remotely executed on Unix/Linux based computers through the Secure Shell (SSH) service running on that computer.
Unix based computers. In VBscript, you can make use of WMI and ADSI. WMI is an interface to a broad range of hardware/software/OSrelated properties of a computer, allowing you to perform almost any check. Using ADSI you can interface to Active Directory. GFI Network Server Monitor includes a library of sample scripts, and others are continuously being added to the GFI website. Monitor users, groups & other Active Directory information Use GFI Network Server Monitor to monitor directory information.
GFI Network Server Monitor components GFI Network Server Monitor is a client/server application, based on a central monitoring service able to run on Windows NT or higher. This application monitors servers and workstations in your LAN, WAN or even outside your enterprise without the need of any other additional software. This software architecture allows for high reliability and scalability to monitor both large and small networks. GFI Network Server Monitor consists of 3 main modules which are:• NSMUI.
Screenshot 1 - The GFI Network Server Monitor configuration The main GFI Network Server Monitor configuration display is divided into two windows. • Tools Explorer window (left view) – Contains nodes, check folders and tools required for the configuration and running of GFI Network Server Monitor. • Event Window (right view) – Multipurpose window in which the contents and options related to the nodes selected in the Tools explorer (left) window are displayed (e.g.
Installing GFI Network Server Monitor System requirements Computers running GFI Network Server Monitor require: • Windows 2000 (SP4 or higher), 2003 or XP Pro operating systems. • Windows scripting host 5.5 or higher (included in Internet Explorer 6 and in Service pack 2 of Internet Explorer 5.5; you can download it separately from http://www.microsoft.com/scripting. • .NET Framework 1.
Screenshot 2 - Previous Version Detected 3. The Installation Wizard starts by checking if you have previous versions of GFI Network Server Monitor installed on your computer. Specify if you want to keep any previous installation detected or instruct the wizard to uninstall it for you. Screenshot 3 - Check for latest build 4.
Screenshot 4 – Import settings from an older installation NOTE: The following stage is required only if GFI Network Server Monitor 6 or higher have been previously installed on your computer. 5. Choose whether you want to import configuration settings from an existing installation or else continue with a new (clean) installation. Click on ‘Next’ to continue. Screenshot 5 - User and License key details NOTE: The following stage is only required during a new (clean) installation.
6. Specify the full user name, the company name and the license key. If you are evaluating the product, leave the evaluation key as default (i.e. “Evaluation”). Click on ‘Next’ to continue. NOTE: After you have purchased the product, there is no need to uninstall and reconfigure GFI Network Server Monitor because you can enter the new license key directly from the GFI Network Server Monitor configuration program.
Screenshot 7 - Mail Server details NOTE: The following stage is only required during a new (clean) installation. 8. Specify the SMTP/mail server details (Hostname/IP and Port) as well as the email address where generic alerts will be sent. Click on ‘Next’ to continue. NOTE 1: You can define separate email alert addresses for each check from the check properties during configuration. NOTE 2: You can verify your settings by sending a test message. Do this by clicking on ‘Verify Mail Settings’.
9. Specify which database backend must be used to store the results of its monitoring operations. You can choose between Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or MSDE. Click on ‘Next’ to continue. NOTE 1: MS Access database backend usage is recommended for small networks. For medium and larger networks, usage of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 as a database backend is recommended.
3. Click on the ‘Log On’ tab and make the required changes. 4. Click on ‘OK’ to exit.
Configuring GFI Network Server Monitor Getting started with GFI Network Server Monitor NOTE: All configuration settings for GFI Network Server Monitor are carried out from GFI Network Server Monitor configuration. Launch this configuration program from Start > GFI Network Server Monitor program group > GFI Network Server Monitor configuration. Introduction to monitor checks Monitoring checks are tests which verify the condition of specified computers and services on your network.
Once ready, you can still make use of this wizard by launching it from File > New > Quick Start Wizard or Right Click on the ‘Monitoring Checks Configuration’ node in the Tools Explorer window and go to New > ‘Quick Start Wizard’. Running the Quick Start Wizard 1. Launch the ‘Quick Start Wizard’ and click on ‘Next’. Screenshot 10 – Specify the OS of the target computer 2. Select the operating system installed on your target computer(s).
Screenshot 12 – Specify additional applications that require monitoring 4. Select any additional important service applications installed on the target computer(s). Screenshot 13 - Select target computers 5. Specify the target computer(s) on your network which fit the options you selected (operating system / roles / applications). Click on next to continue. TIP: Use the 'Select' button to choose from a list of computers detected to be running on your network.
6. Click on ‘Finish’. A default set of folders (one per target computer) containing the checks for that target computer will be created. Creating monitor checks To generate a new check, use the Create New Monitoring Check Wizard. This wizard asks you for: • The type of check to create • The properties relevant for that type of check • The target(s) to run the monitoring check against. Example: Creating an ICMP Ping check 1.
Screenshot 15 - ICMP/Ping check properties dialog 3. Configure the parameters to be used by the selected check. Click on 'Next' to continue. The ICMP/Ping check requires the following parameters: • Make sure you…..ping the target computer – Specify whether the ping will succeed or fail if a ping reply is received. • Number of Echo requests to send – Specify the number of consecutive pings to be sent (e.g.
Screenshot 16 – The Select Computer(s) dialog 4. Select the target computer(s) to ping. TIP 1: You can also enumerate target computers by clicking on ‘Select’. This will open a dialog from where you can choose the required target computer(s). TIP 2: You can import the list of target computers from a text file using the ‘Import’ button. However make sure that the text file is in plain text. 5. Optionally, you can specify a short description for the new check(s) to be created. 6.
Some type of checks (e.g., IMAP, POP3) may require alternative logon credentials to the ones used to log on to the target computer. When applicable you will be asked to confirm or specify alternative logon credentials to be used for that check. Screenshot 17 - Logon Credentials dialog As an example, the IMAP Mailserver check uses logon credentials to connect to the mailserver and check its availability.
Screenshot 18 – The Select Target folder dialog NOTE: Refer to 'Configuring Monitor Functions' chapter for more information on the type of checks supported by GFI Network Server Monitor. Configure monitor check properties About monitor check properties Monitoring checks require parameters which define their performance. (E.g. the ‘Scan Frequency’ defines the time interval between consecutive runs of a monitoring check).
Configure general parameters Screenshot 19 - Check properties dialog To specify the general parameters of a monitor check (e.g., Check Name and Target Computer): 1. Right click on the check to be configured and select ‘Properties’. By default the check properties dialog will open in the ‘General’ tab. 2. Specify the following parameters: • Check details – The monitoring check name (e.g. ‘Fileserver Availability Check’) and relative function description (e.g.
connections or delays in connection in extremely busy targets (e.g. File servers and Mail servers) during peak hours. Configure check (functional) parameters The check functional parameters are the test settings that define the role of a monitoring check (i.e., each type of monitoring check requires its own configuration settings and parameters). For further information on functional parameter setups, please refer to the Configuring monitor functions chapter in this manual.
• File must contain…. – Enable this option and specify the string that must be present in the file in order for the check to be successful (e.g. ‘transfer was successful’). 3. Click on ‘Apply’ to accept the current configuration. Define logon credentials The logon credentials are the (logon) authentication details which a monitoring check requires to connect to a target computer.
4. When ready, click on ‘Apply’ to accept the current configuration. Alerts and actions Screenshot 22 - Actions Setup dialog Actions refer to the activities which follow the occurrence of an important event, i.e., what happens when a monitoring check meets a specified condition. GFI Network Server Monitor supports the following actions: • Alerts – Send messages to inform the recipient(s) of the event(s).
Screenshot 23- Alerts Setup Dialog These alerts can be sent in two situations: • When a monitoring check fails – after a configurable number of errors, the monitor check is considered as failed. • When a monitoring check has recovered from the ‘Failed’ state – since GFI Network Server Monitor can recover a server/device, it can be useful to send an alert to the operator to inform him/her that the previous error is no longer present.
GSM device (e.g., cell phone) or via a web-based SMS gateway. When an SMS alert is to be sent through an SMS Center, GFI Network Server Monitor uses the modem to dial in to the SMSC provider and deliver the actual SMS message(s); most countries have one or more SMSC service providers. When an SMS alert is to be sent via a web-based SMS gateway, GFI Network Server Monitor generates an email containing all the alert details.
Screenshot 25 - Alerts setup dialog 3. Choose the event for which alerts must be sent: • Select ‘When the check fails:’ option to send alerts whenever this check fails. • Select ‘When the check recovers from a failed state’ option to send alerts when the monitoring check recovers from a failed state. 4. Select the type of alert to be sent (e.g., click on the ‘Send an email to:’ option to send email alerts whenever this check fails). Screenshot 26 – Configuring alert recipients 5.
information on user properties, please refer to the ‘Configure user properties’ section in the ‘Users and Groups’ chapter. NOTE 2: Select the ‘Once every …… minutes as long as the check continues failing’ option, ONLY if this alert is to be sent more than once during the time that this check is in a failed state. In this case specify the time interval (in minutes) required between each alert sent. (e.g.
Screenshot 28 - File parameters dialog If the file requires any parameters you can still pass them on the command line. You can also pass such parameters through GFI Network Server Monitor, by specifying them in the ‘Parameters to pass to the file’ field. You can pass parameters in plain text as well as through variables like <%Date%> and <%CHECK_RESULT%>. These variables are then substituted to values when the program or script is launched.
Restart computers/services after an alert is triggered Screenshot 29 - Services / Computer restart setup dialog GFI Network Server Monitor can be set to remotely reboot a computer or restart specific services whenever a monitoring check fails (e.g. if you can’t reach an IIS web server in your LAN, you can restart the W3SVC service). Configure this action as follows: 1. Right click on the check to be configured and select ‘Properties’. By default the check properties dialog will open in the ‘General’ tab.
Set up dependencies Dependencies are checks that define the availability of servers (e.g., ISA Server or Proxy Server) and services (e.g., DNS Server or DNS Client) required by a target computer (i.e., on which a target computer is dependent). The specified dependency check(s) must be successfully executed before the other monitoring checks can be run. E.g.
• Select the ‘Ensure one of the following checks succeeds…..’ option, to denote that at least one of the checks specified in the dependency list must be successful before this check is allowed to execute. 3. Click on ‘Add’. Then choose the checks to be included in the dependencies list and click on ‘Select’ Screenshot 31 – List of available checks TIP: Multiple check selections are possible by holding down the ‘CTRL’ or ‘SHIFT’ keyboard buttons. 4. Click on ‘Apply’ to accept the current configuration.
Screenshot 32 - Maintenance schedule Dialog To set up maintenance schedules: 1. Right click on the check to be configured and select ‘Properties’. By default the check properties dialog will open in the ‘General’ tab. 2. Click on the ‘Maintenance’ Tab. If the ‘Inherit maintenance times parameters from Parent folder’ option is selected, unselect it and specify the operational/maintenance periods for the target computer being monitored. e.g.
those configured in monitoring checks. In fact, such folder properties can be configured and then passed on to any/all checks contained in the folder, i.e., they can b inherited. All properties except for the ‘Check details’ and ‘Check (functional) Parameters’ can be inherited from a parent folder. These include Scan Frequency, Logon credentials, Alerts, and Maintenance parameters among others. For further information on parent folders, please refer to the ‘Check folders’ chapter in this manual.
NOTE: It is not possible to set a folder to inherit the parameters of a single alert method (i.e., you cannot inherit just the email alert parameters). Enable or disable checks Screenshot 34 – Check Status display and relative options GFI Network Server Monitor allows you to enable/disable existing monitoring checks. The icon on the left of the check details will indicate its state: - Monitoring check enabled.
Screenshot 35 - The 'Monitor Now' dialog NOTE: When running a check through the 'Monitor Now…' utility, no alerts or actions are triggered whenever a check fails. Move checks between existing folders To move checks from one folder to another: 1. Select the check(s), right click on the selection and select ‘Cut’. 2. Right click on the destination folder and select 'Paste'. Copy checks from/to existing folders To copy checks from one folder to another: 1.
Configuring monitor functions Introduction As soon as the new check wizard is triggered, you must select the required monitor function from the extensive list of built-in functions included in GFI Network Server Monitor. This chapter explains how to configure each built-in function as well as how to create custom monitor functions using VB Scripts. GFI Network Server Monitor groups monitor functions according to their respective role.
Screenshot 36 - HTTP/HTTPS check parameters dialog Should the HTTP/HTTPS site require authentication, GFI Network Server Monitor will pass the username and password specified in the Logon Credentials of the monitoring check. For more information on authentication details, please refer to the Logon Credentials section in the ‘Configuring GFI Network Server Monitor’ chapter.
• Use proxy server – Enable this flag if the target web site is to be accessed through the Proxy server. FTP GFI Network Server Monitor can check the availability of FTP sites through specified ports. Screenshot 37 - FTP check parameters dialog GFI Network Server Monitor can be configured to go through a proxy server as well as to pass access credentials to the specified FTP site should authentication be required.
accessible and delivering the service required to the end users. The IMAP check also supports logon to the IMAP mailbox using SSL. Through SSL, you can secure the transmission session by electronically authenticating each end of an encrypted transmission. Screenshot 38- IMAP server check parameters dialog The IMAP check requires the following parameters: • Port – Specify the TCP port to be used when connecting to the IMAP mail server (IMAP default port is 143).
the mailbox on your IMAP server. The New Check Wizard automatically prompts you to configure these alternative credentials (i.e., the user name and password) during the creation of this check. After the check has been created, you can make changes to alternative credentials from the Check properties dialog > ‘Logon Credentials’ tab. NNTP news server availability GFI Network Server Monitor can check NNTP news servers by starting a handshake connection on the remote TCP port (normally port 119).
within 1 second. However, some slow/busy servers need more time. Default value is set to 7000 milliseconds. POP3 Mailserver check GFI Network Server Monitor can check the availability of POP3 mail servers. The POP3 Mailserver check initiates a handshake connection to the remote POP3 port and through the replies received, it can verify if the remote server’s POP3 protocol is working properly.
• Login to mailbox – Select this option if you want to verify mail box authentication on your mail server. • Mail count in folder - Select this option if you want to count the number of emails in a POP3 mail box. In addition, you must specify the: • Logical comparison operator: State if the count should be ‘equal to’, ‘not equal to’, ‘less than’, ‘less than or equal to’, ‘greater than’, ‘greater than or equal to’ a specified value. • The value (i.e.
Screenshot 41 - SMTP server check parameters dialog The SMTP Mailserver check requires the following parameters: • Port – Specify the TCP port to be used when connecting to the SMTP mail server (SMTP Default port is 25). • Timeout – Specify the connection timeout in milliseconds. The check will fail if a connection is not established before the specified timeout elapses. • Requires an encrypted connection (SSL) – Select this option if you want to encrypted the transmission (i.e.
NTP Time Server availability Most of organizations use a time server to ensure accurate time settings. The NTP protocol is the protocol used to synchronize times between workstations/servers, and external time sources. GFI Network Server Monitor uses NTP to check the availability of internal and external time sources. Screenshot 42- NTP Time server check parameters dialog The NTP function requires NO parameters.
Screenshot 43 - DNS server check parameters dialog The DNS server check requires the following parameters: • Type of record – Specify the record type which needs to be defined by the DNS server. This can be an A record or any other record type present in the drop down list. • Host/Domain Name to query – Specify the hostname or domain that you wish to resolve (E.g., www.google.com). • Record values – Specify the expected return value(s).
ICMP/Ping The ICMP Ping function checks the availability of a remote host by sending ICMP Echo commands and waiting for the response from the host. NOTE: Although local hosts should normally respond to ping requests within milliseconds, an ICMP timeout failure doesn't necessarily mean that the remote host is actually functioning beyond its ability to echo packets. Screenshot 44 - ICMP/Ping check parameters dialog The ICMP/Ping function requires the following parameters: • Make sure you…..
Generic TCP/IP check GFI Network Server Monitor can check local or remote server connections by challenging a specific port. The challenge will involve connecting to the target computer, sending it a sequence of bytes and analyzing the information received. Screenshot 45 - TCP/IP check parameters dialog A TCP/IP check requires the following parameters: • Port – Specify the TCP port number of the protocol to be checked, by default port 80.
Email Route check Figure 1 – Email Route check operation The Email Route check verifies if your email services are working properly; it does so by sending a physical email through a target SMTP server and checking for the arrival of the test email in a mailbox on a target POP3 Server.
• The sender’s and recipient’s email address. For more information on how to configure these parameters refer to the ‘Configuring the sender’s and recipient’s email address’ section. • The SMTP server through which the test email will be sent (i.e., the SMTP server to be checked). For more information on how to configure these parameters, refer to the ‘Configuring the SMTP Server details’ section below. • The POP3/IMAP server through which the test email will be delivered (i.e.
Configuring the sender’s and recipient’s email address Screenshot 47 - The test email details dialog Click on the ‘Configure’ button of the relevant section to specify the following parameters: • From – Specify the sender’s email address (i.e., the email account from where the test email will be sent). • To – Specify the recipient’s email address (i.e., the email account where the test email will be sent). • Subject – (Optional) Specify the text to be included in the subject field of the test email.
Screenshot 48 - SMTP Server configuration dialog Click on the ‘Configure’ button of the relevant section to specify the following parameters: NOTE: The ‘Host name/IP’ parameter contains the details of the SMTP Server to which the connection will be established. This parameter cannot be changed and it is configured to acquire its value from the %CHECK_TARGET% variable. This variable takes its value directly from the Target Computer field in the Check properties.
alternative credentials that this check will use by selecting one of the following options: • Use credentials set in the folder/check – Select this option to use the authentication details specified in the check properties > ‘Logon Credentials’ tab. • Use the following credentials – Select this option to specify the additional credentials to be used for authentication (i.e. User name and password).
Computer field in the check properties. If required, specify an alternative target or use the ‘Select’ button to choose the required POP3/IMAP server from the list of active servers on you network. NOTE: When using %CHECK_TARGET%, make sure that you specify the correct Target Computer details (i.e., the name/IP of your POP3/IMAP server) in the check properties > General tab. Otherwise the check will fail since it will not know which target to query.
Screenshot 50 - SNMP check parameters dialog The SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) GET message allows the Network Monitor Engine to request information about a specific variable on a remote computer or device. Upon receiving a GET message, the agent will issue GFI Network Server Monitor Engine a GET-RESPONSE message containing either the information requested or an error indicating why the request cannot be processed.
Windows OS generic checks Generic VB Script The VBscript function allows you to create custom checks using VBscripts. For more information about writing scripts, please refer to the ‘Writing your own monitoring functions’ chapter. Screenshot 51 - VBscript check parameters dialog A VBScript function requires the following parameters: • Script location – Specify the path to the required VBScript file.
• VB Function Parameters – In the parameters list, specify any additional parameters required by this function. During check execution these parameters will be automatically passed on to the VB script in the order specified in the VB Function Parameters list. To add a parameter, double click on the position/row where you wish to add this additional parameter and specify the required values in the parameters dialog.
The parameters required for this function are: Performance Object – Click on the available objects. button to display the list of Screenshot 54 - Performance Counter - Object Selection Dialog 1. Specify the target computer containing the object/performance counters that need to be shown by selecting one of the following options: • Select ‘this computer’ to use the performance counters available on the target computer.
Screenshot 55 - Command Line Output check parameters dialog The parameters required for this function are: • Run the file at location – Specify the complete path to the command line tool file which must be executed (e.g.C:\Windows\System32\Ping.exe). • With the following parameters – Specify additional parameters required by the specified tool (e.g. the IP address / name of host to which the ping will be sent).
Screenshot 56 - Process Properties check parameters dialog The parameters required for this function include: • Check that the…. – Select the system resource that will be checked from the dropdown list. • Used by the process – Specify the name of the process to be checked. • Operand – Select the operand and specify the value to be compared with the result.
Screenshot 57 - Event log check parameters dialog It can also look for specific patterns in the description of an event as well as notify the system administrator if one of the events occurred within a specific period of time (e.g. You can check if a message from your antivirus software has been posted in the Application Event Log during the last 30 minutes. An Event Log function requires the following parameters: • Query the following event Log – Select the log File to be checked, from the dropdown list.
• Description contains string – Specify the string to search for, in the file contents (i.e. filter event by content string). • Check only events which happened in the last x minutes – Specify this value to filter events occurring during the specified period of time (i.e. filter events by time of occurrence). NOTE: Use (*) wildcard to indicate all/any criteria.
Disk Space GFI Network Server Monitor can check for free disk space on local and remote computers. Alerts can be sent whenever hard disk space falls below a specified value in order for you to take proactive actions before running out of disk space. Screenshot 59 - Disk space check parameters dialog A Disk Space function requires the following parameters: • Check that the Drive… – Select the disk drive to be checked.
Screenshot 60 - Services check parameters dialog A Service monitor function requires the following parameters: • With internal name – Enable this option to check for services having an internal identification / name identical to the string specified in the NAME field. The Internal identification is the ‘Service Name’ displayed in the General dialog of the service properties.
CPU Usage NOTE: This monitor function requires WMI to be installed on the computer running GFI Network Server Monitor as well as on the computer being monitored. The monitor function will create a VBscript which uses WMI with the parameters you specify in the check parameters dialog. WMI is only available on Windows 2000 and higher computers, therefore this monitor function can only be used if both the GFI Network Server Monitor computer and the computer to be monitored are running Windows 2000 or higher.
Screenshot 63 - Directory Size check parameters dialog The Directory Size function requires the following parameters: • Directory Name – Specify the path to the folder/directory in UNC format (e.g. \\server01\public\docs) which needs to be monitored. • Directory size limit – Specify the maximum size in KB, MB or GB allowed for this directory. File Size GFI Network Server Monitor can check for the size of particular files on local and remote computers.
Screenshot 64 - File size check parameters dialog The file size function requires the following parameters: • File name – Specify the path to the file in UNC format (e.g. \\server01\public\docs.txt) which needs to be monitored. • File size limit – Specify the maximum size in KB, MB or GB allowed for this file. LDAP query NOTE: GFI Network server monitor can verify if LDAP Services are available on target computers by querying the rootDSE for the relative information.
Screenshot 65 - LDAP Query check parameters dialog No Setup parameters are required for this check. Physical disk conditions check NOTE: This monitor function requires WMI to be installed on the computer running GFI Network Server Monitor as well as on the computer being monitored. GFI Network server monitor can check the physical condition of the disk drives mounted on computers running windows operating systems.
Screenshot 66 - Physical Disk check parameters dialog No parameters are required for this function. Printer availability GFI Network Server Monitor monitors the availability of network printers by checking their status definition. Supported status definitions include 'Running', 'In Test', 'Power Off', 'Offline', and 'Power Save'. If the Printer Status is not equal to ‘Running’ or ‘Power Save’, then GFI Network Server Monitor will consider this printer as being down.
Screenshot 67 - Printer availability check parameters dialog The Printer Availability rule requires the following parameter: • Printer name – Specify the name of the network printer to be monitored. NOTE: Specify the same printer name used on the network (e.g. HP4P_onJMPC). Process Running NOTE: This monitor function requires WMI to be installed on the computer running GFI Network Server Monitor as well as on the computer being monitored.
Screenshot 68 – Running Process check parameters dialog A Process monitor rule requires the following parameter: • Process – Specify the module name of the process which needs to be monitored. For instance: alerter.exe, or explorer.exe. Users and Group membership NOTE: This monitor function requires WMI to be installed on the computer running GFI Network Server Monitor as well as on the computer being monitored.
Screenshot 69 – Users and Groups check parameters dialog The User and Groups membership function requires the following parameters: • Domain – Specify the name of the domain in which the group is present (e.g. GFIMALTA). • Group – Specify the name of the group to be checked (e.g. Domain Admins group) • Allowed members – Specify the name of the members that are allowed in this group. Separate each member by commas (e.g.
Screenshot 70 - ISA Server check parameters dialog The parameters required are: 1. Specify the ISA Server version installed on the target computer. • 2000 – Enable this option, if your target computer has ISA server 2000 installed. • 2004 – Enable this option, if your target computer has ISA server 2004 installed. 2. Enable ‘Integrated / Firewall’ or ‘Cache’ option to specify the operation mode of the ISA Server installed on the target computer.
Screenshot 71 - Exchange server check parameters dialog The Exchange server check requires the following parameters: 1. Specify the MS Exchange Server version installed on the target computer(s): • Exchange 2000 – Enable this option if the target computer is running Exchange server 2000. • Exchange 2003 – Enable this option if the target computer is running Exchange server 2003.
Screenshot 72 - MS SQL/ADO check parameters dialog An MS SQL / ADO function requires the following parameters: • ADO Connection String – Specify the ADO connection string which will be used to connect to the SQL Server/Data source. • Query – Specify the SQL Query which will be triggered when connection is established. NOTE: For more information on SQL/ADO connections strings, please visit http://www.connectionstrings.
Screenshot 73 - ODBC administrator with sample database configured A system DSN entry is setup as follows 1. Go to Administrative tools > Data Sources (ODBC) to launch the ODBC administrator. 2. Click on the ‘System DSN’ tab then click on ‘Add’. NOTE: It is important that you select ‘System DSN’ and not ‘User DSN’ otherwise the service will not have access to the data source/database.
3. Select a database driver suitable for the database you wish to monitor (e.g. for an MS Access database choose Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)). 4. In the ODBC setup dialog, specify a data source name (e.g. MY_Dbase) and select the database you wish to monitor. In this example we have used the ‘Northwind’ database. Click on ‘OK’ to add the data source. Screenshot 75 - Generic ODBC properties The ODBC check requires the following parameter: • ODBC DSN name - Specify the ODBC data source name (e.g.
Screenshot 76 – Terminal Services: Port Check parameters dialog A Terminal Services check requires the following parameters: • Port – Specify the TCP port number which will be used for communicating with a target computer. The default TCP port is 3389. • Send command when connected – Enable this option to send the specified command as soon as connection is established. • Response must include the following string – Enable this option and specify the string which must be present in the response.
Screenshot 77 – Terminal Services: Physical Logon check parameters dialog The parameters required by this function are: • RDP File – Specify path were the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) file is located (e.g. C:\Documents and Settings\\Recent\default.rdp). • Timeout – Specify the number of milliseconds before the function times out. Usually, a connection to the server is established within 1 second. However, some slow/busy servers need more time.
Screenshot 78 - SSH check parameters dialog A Generic SSH Script Check requires the following parameters: • Script file – Specify the path to the SSH script file which will be used by the monitoring check to test the specified target computer(s). Screenshot 79 - The parameters dialog • Arguments – In the arguments list, specify any additional parameters required by this function.
NOTE 2: You can make changes to the selected script file by clicking on the ‘Edit script …’ button. NOTE 3: The “Generic Secure Shell (SSH) Check” requires logon credentials (i.e. username and password or Private Key file) to connect (authenticate) and run SSH scripts on a remote Unix-based target computer. These credentials must be specified from the ‘Logon Credentials’ tab available in the properties of the relative check.
• Does not exist – Enable this option to check for file existence only. In this case, the check fails if the specified file is found. • Exists - Enable this option to check for file existence only. In this case, the check succeeds if the specified file is found. • File must contain …string – Enable this flag and specify the string to be searched for in the existing file contents. In this case the check will succeed only if the file exists and the specified string is present in the file contents.
Screenshot 82 – Directory/folder Size setup window A Directory Size function requires the following parameters: • Directory Name – Specify the path to the directory to be monitored (e.g. /user/personal). • Directory size – Specify the maximum size (in KB, MB or GB) allowed for this directory. File size Check GFI Network Server Monitor can check the size of files on target computers running on Linux/Unix.
Screenshot 83 - File size check parameters dialog The File Size function requires the following parameters: • File name – Specify the complete path to the file which needs to be monitored (e.g. /data/sys_log). • File size limit – Specify the maximum size (in KB, MB or GB) allowed for this file. Printer availability Check GFI Network Server Monitor can check for the availability of network printers connected to target computers running on Linux / Unix.
Screenshot 84 - Printer check parameters dialog GFI Network Server Monitor uses a Linux shell script, via SSH, to determine printer availability. A Printer Availability check requires the following parameters: • Printer name – Specify the name of the printer to be monitored. Process Running Check GFI Network Server Monitor enables you to check processes on local and remote target computers running on Linux/Unix. If a process is active, then the target computer is considered to be available.
Screenshot 85 –Running Process check parameters dialog A process check requires the following parameter: • Process – Specify the name of the process to be monitored (e.g. init). Users and groups membership Check GFI Network Server Monitor inspects groups and group membership against intruders which could pose a vulnerability threat to your network system (e.g. Intruders in Domain Administrators group can give themselves administrative rights).
Screenshot 86 – Users and Groups check parameters dialog The User/Group parameters: membership function requires the following • Group – Specify the name of the group to be checked against intruders. • Allowed members – Specify the list of authorized members in the specified group. Separate each member by a comma (e.g. JasonM, NickG, AndreM).
Screenshot 87 - Disk Partition check parameters dialog The parameters required by this function are:• Partition label – Specify the identification name of the disk partition to be checked. Disk Space Check GFI Network Server Monitor can check for available free or used disk space information on local and remote target computers running on Linux/Unix. Alerts can be sent when the used or free space exceeds a specified limit.
Screenshot 88 - Disk Space check parameters dialog. A Disk Space function requires the following parameters: • Check that the Drive – Specify the drive to be checked. • Does not use more than the following hard disk space – Enable this option and specify the maximum disk space (in KB, MB or GB) allowed for use on this particular drive, i.e. the check will fail if the used disk space exceeds the specified value.
Screenshot 89 - Daemon check properties dialog The Daemons check requires the following parameters: • Name – Specify the name of the daemon that you wish to check (e.g. lpd). • State – Specify whether this check should verify if the daemon is running or stopped.
Check folders Introduction In GFI Network Server Monitor, all checks are organised into folders. Folders have properties such as alerts, dependencies and maintenance parameters that are inherited by the checks contained in those folders. This way, it is easy to change an alert or dependency for a whole group of checks from a centralized point. By default, a check inherits properties from the parent folder; however, you can override this setting for individual checks if necessary.
NOTE: Folders with the same name cannot exist on the same level. This means that you can have folders with the same name but only if they are located within separate parent folders. Creating new folders To create a folder: 1. Right click on the destination (i.e., where you wish to create the new folder), then select New > Folder. For example, to create a folder within another folder called ZONE1, right click on ZONE1, then go on New > Folder.
2. Specify the folder details; i.e. folder name (e.g. TMJASON) and folder description. 3. Configure the rest of the folder properties in the same way as is done for the monitoring checks properties. For the configuration instructions, refer to the ‘Configure monitor check properties’ section in the ‘Configuring GFI Network Server Monitor’ chapter. 4. Click on ‘OK’ to save the configuration settings and exit the folder properties dialog. Example: Configuring the target computer parameter 1.
1. Right click on the folder that you wish to move and select ‘Cut’. 2. Go on the preferred destination and select ‘Paste’. NOTE: You can also drag and drop the folder from its present to target location. Searching for folders Screenshot 92 - Find folder dialog The Find Folder tool allows you to search and locate folders in your folder tree. To start a folder search: 1. Right click on the ‘Monitoring Checks Configuration’ node and select ‘Find Folder’. 2.
Monitoring checks status Introduction You can view the current state of monitoring checks in three ways: 1. From the GFI Network Server Monitor configuration, by clicking on the ‘Monitoring Check Status’ node. For more information, refer to the ‘Viewing the state of checks from the GFI N.S.M. configuration’ section in this chapter. 2. From a dedicated application called GFI N.S.M. 7 Activity Monitor.
GFI Network Server Monitor allows you to view the state of monitor checks directly from its configuration program. To view this information click on the ‘Monitor Checks Status’ node. This by default, opens the Status Monitor “Home” page in the events (right-hand-side) window. The home page displays all “Failed” checks as well as the last 10 actions that GFI Network Server Monitor has performed. The information on display also includes: • The current state of the monitoring engine (i.e.
Viewing all the checks Screenshot 95 - All checks page To view the status of all checks in GFI Network Server Monitor, click on the ‘Status – All checks’ link located at the top of the Status Monitor home page. This will display a list of all the checks, grouped under their respective folder. Screenshot 96 - Nested Folders You can expand or collapse the contents of a folder by clicking on or respectively.
Viewing the state of checks from the GFI N.S.M. Activity Monitor GFI Network Server Monitor ships with an Activity Monitor which enables you to view the status of the monitoring engine and monitoring checks. This activity monitor is automatically installed with GFI Network Server Monitor and thus it can only be used from the computer where this software is installed. To launch the Activity Monitor, go on Start > Programs > GFI Network Server Monitor 7 > GFI N.S.M. 7 Activity Monitor.
The GFI NSM Activity Monitor also includes a ‘Monitoring Checks Status’ tab. This displays information on monitoring checks such as the current state and the date/time of the last change in state. Since checks are stored in folders, you can also choose to see only the checks which are contained in a particular folder of interest. Folders are selected from the ‘Folder Name’ drop down included at the top of the dialog.
By default, the normal view opens up in the “All checks” page. This page displays the status of all checks currently configured in GFI Network Server Monitor. The navigation and information layout are identical to those of the ‘Monitoring Check status’ feature in the configuration program. For more information on how to navigate through the information on display, refer to ‘Viewing the state of checks from the GFI NSM configuration’ section in this chapter’.
NOTE: For security reasons, we recommend the use of Microsoft IIS web server for accessing and viewing the state of your monitoring checks. For further information on IIS web server setup, refer to the ‘Configuring IIS as the web server’ section in the ‘General Options’ chapter. NOTE: The default port used can be customized from Configuration > General Options > Web Server. Check state indicators Check state indicators are images which graphically define the current state of your monitoring checks.
and the target computer. When such situations occur, monitoring checks are placed in an uncertain state. NOTE 1: When a check is in an uncertain state, no actions are generated (i.e., no alerts, etc.) NOTE 2: Use the General Options > configure GFI Network Server Monitor results. Checks in an uncertain state Success/Failed checks state depending GFI Network Server Monitor ‘Uncertain Results’ tab to on how to treat uncertain can be transformed into on your monitoring needs.
Global alerting options Introduction Screenshot 101 - ‘Alerting Options’ node The ‘Alerting Options’ node contains the general alerting parameters required by GFI Network Server Monitor for sending Email, Network and SMS/Pager alerts. From this node you can: • Specify which mail servers can be used to send email alerts. In addition you can format and define the contents of the email message. • Specify SMS/Pager settings and format the message to be used when sending SMS/Pager alerts.
Screenshot 102 – Email Alerts configuration dialog By default, the server at the top of the mail servers list has the highest priority and is used to send email alerts. If this server is not available, GFI Network Server Monitor automatically switches to the next mail server in the list. This continues until an available mail server is found and the email alert is successfully sent. NOTE: Sort the mail servers list in ascending order of priority.
Screenshot 103 - Mail server propertiesdialog 2. Click on ‘Add’ and specify the following parameters in the Mail server properties dialog: • Hostname/IP - Specify the Hostname (e.g. Mailserver) or IP address (e.g. 192.168.1.200) of the Mail server to be used. • Port - Specify the TCP communication port to be used for the transmission.
6. Click on ‘OK’ to save these settings and exit the Email Alerts configuration dialog. Edit existing mail server details To change configured mail server details: 1. Right click on the ‘Alerting Options’ node and select ‘Properties’. The alerting properties will open by default in the Email Alerts configuration dialog (i.e., Email tab). 2. Click on ‘Edit’ and make the required configuration changes. For more details on mail server configuration, refer to the ‘Adding a mail server’ section in this chapter.
• • Message – Specify the contents of the message body. We recommend that in the message body, you include details related to the event which triggered the alert. By default the message body includes the following information: %PRODUCTNAME% email alert – Product short name (i.e. GFI N.S.M.) Date: %DATE% - The date when the alarm was triggered. Time: %TIME% - The time when the alarm was triggered. Check name: %CHECK_NAME% - The monitor check which triggered the alarm.
Screenshot 105 - Network Alerts Properties Format network message 1. Right click on the ‘Alerting Options’ node and select Properties. 2. Click on the ‘Network’ tab and then click on ‘Format Network Message’. 3. Make the required changes to the message. The formatting of this message is identical to that of the email message. 4. Click on ‘OK’ to accept these changes. NOTE: For more information on variables and message templates, please refer to the ‘Message Template’ section in this chapter.
Screenshot 106 - SMS Alerts dialog Out of the box GFI Network Server Monitor can relay SMS alerts through the: • In-built GSM SMS Server • GFI FAXmaker SMS service provider template • Clickatell Email2SMS Service • Generic SMS service provider templates • NSM 5.x/6.0 SMS Server.
The in-built GSM SMS Server allows GFI Network Server Monitor to directly send SMS (text) messages through a GSM phone or GSM modem, connected to the computer by serial cable, Infrared or Bluetooth. Screenshot 107 – The in-built GSM SMS Server properties Requirements 1. A GSM modem or GSM phone that is capable of processing AT+C commands. This GSM device must be connected to the server running GFI Network Server Monitor. 2. Subscription to an SMSC provider.
Screenshot 108 - Edit Property dialog 3. Double click on the property which you want to configure (e.g., Service Center Number) and specify the necessary parameters in the Edit Property dialog. NOTE: When configuring properties, always specify the details supplied to you by your SMSC provider. If configuration parameters are not available, ask your provider to supply you with the required information.
GFI FAXmaker SMS service provider template Figure 3 - SMS alert flow via GFI FAXmaker SMS service provider The GFI FAXmaker SMS Service allows GFI Network Server Monitor to send SMS messages through GFI FAXmaker, market-leading fax server software that allows you to send and receive faxes via your email infrastructure. GFI FAXmaker is also an SMS gateway which allows you to send SMS messages through: • A GSM phone / modem connected to your fax server. Or • Web-based SMS service providers.
Screenshot 109 - FAXmaker SMS service configuration dialog Requirements In order to use the FAXmaker SMS service, you must have: 1. GFI FAXmaker installed and configured for SMS messaging. For more information on how to configure the SMS gateway on GFI FAXmaker refer to ‘The SMS Gateway’ chapter of the GFI FAXmaker manual. You can download the GFI FAXmaker manual from http://www.gfi.com/downloads/downloads.aspx?pid=FAX&lid=en 2.
• SMTP port – Specify the SMTP port through which the transmission will take place. By default this parameter is set to 25 (i.e., default SMTP port). • From – Specify the account from where the template email will be sent. Format this parameter as follows: @ • To – (Leave as default) This is the email address on which GFI FAXmaker will receive the template emails to be converted to SMS (i.e., [smsnumber]@smsmaker.com).
Screenshot 110 - Clickatell Email2SMS Service configuration dialog Requirements No specific hardware is required for this SMS messaging method. The only true requirements are: 1. You must be subscribed to the Clickatell SMS gateway service. This service costs about 4 euro cents per message. To subscribe visit: http://www.Clickatell.com/central/campaigns/redir.php?cid=870 2. The SMTP server configured in the properties of the Clickatell Email2SMS service must be able to send emails over the Internet.
The Clickatell Email2SMS Service requires the following parameters: • SMTP server – Specify the name of the SMTP server through which GFI Network Server Monitor will send the email to the SMS gateway. • SMTP port – Specify the SMTP port through which the transmission will take place. By default this parameter is set to 25 (i.e., default SMTP port) • From – Specify the account from where the email will be sent.
4. In the ‘Retries’ entry box, specify the number of times that GFI Network Server Monitor will try to send the email to the web-based email to SMS provider should the first attempt fail. 5. Click on ‘OK’ to save your configuration settings. Generic SMS service provider template Figure 5 - SMS alert flow via a web-based Email to SMS service provider GFI Network Server Monitor can relay SMS (text) alerts via a webbased SMS gateway.
Screenshot 111 - Generic SMS service configuration dialog Requirements No specific hardware is required for this SMS messaging method. The only true requirements are: 1. You must be subscribed to an SMS gateway service. 2. The SMTP server configured in the properties of the Generic SMS service must be able to send emails over the internet. NOTE: GFI Network Server Monitor cannot send SMS alerts through the Generic SMS service if no Internet connection is available or when your Internet connection is down.
• SMTP server – Specify the name of the SMTP server through which GFI Network Server Monitor will send the email to the SMS gateway. • SMTP port – Specify the SMTP port through which the transmission will take place. By default this parameter is set to 25 (i.e., default SMTP port). • From – Specify the account from where the email will be sent. You can specify the email address configured in GFI Network Server Monitor for generic alerts.
4. In the ‘Retries’ entry box, specify the number of times that GFI Network Server Monitor will try to send the email to the web-based email to SMS provider should the first attempt fail. 5. Click on ‘OK’ to save your configuration settings. NSM 5.x/6.0 SMS Server system Figure 6 - SMS alert flow via the NSM 5.x/6.0 SMS server The NSM 5.x/6.0 SMS Server can send SMS (text) messages through a TAP/UCP compliant SMSC (Short Message Service Center) NOTE: The Sender ID is the number of the sending entity.
Configuring a TAP/UCP compliant SMS Service Center Screenshot 112 – NSM 5 SMS Server configuration dialog 1. Right click on the ‘Alerting Options’ node and select ‘Properties’. 2. Click on the ‘SMS’ tab and from the SMS System dropdown, select ‘NSM 5.x/6.0 SMS Server’. 3. Click on the ‘Configure SMS Settings’ button.
Screenshot 113 - Providers tab 4. Choose your SMSC service provider from the available list of providers. NOTE: To add unlisted providers, refer to the ‘Adding new SMSC providers’ section in this chapter.
5. Click on the ‘Dial and Modem Properties’ tab and specify the following parameters: • Tone/Pulse – Select the type of dialing that your modem will use (i.e., tone or pulse). • Dial prefix – Specify any additional numbers that need to be dialed before the dial-string. NOTE: The dial-string is the number of the selected provider and can only be modified by editing the SMSC provider’s details. For further information, please refer to the ‘Changing SMSC providers details’ section in this chapter.
Screenshot 115 - SMSC Provider Setup Screen 4. Click on ‘New’ and specify the following parameters: • Country - Specify the country of the provider. • Provider - Specify the provider name. • Dial-in number - Specify the number that the modem must dial to connect to the provider. • Data format - Specify the data format to be used. Obtain this information from your service provider. • Speed - Specify the speed at which the data must be sent. Obtain this value from your SMS service provider.
Changing SMSC providers details Screenshot 116 - SMSC providers list NOTE: This section is only applicable for advanced users. We cannot guarantee that GFI Network Server Monitor will work with any SMS provider. Ensure that you obtain the correct information from your SMS service provider first. To change the provider’s details: 1. Right click on the ‘Alerting Options’ node and select ‘Properties’. 2. Click on the ‘SMS’ tab and from the SMS System dropdown, select ‘NSM 5.x/6.0 SMS Server’. 3.
Format SMS/pager message 1. Right Click on the ‘Alerting Options’ node and select ‘Properties’. 2. Click on the ‘SMS’ tab and then click on ‘FORMAT SMS MESSAGE’. Screenshot 117 - SMS/Pager Message Format Window 3. Make the necessary changes to the SMS message and click on ‘OK’ to accept changes. For more information on variables and message templates formatting, refer to the ‘Message Template’ section in this chapter.
• %CHECK_EXPLANATION% - the explanation returned with the last known status of the check. • %CHECK_DESCRIPTION% - A description of the function carried out by the check. • %PRODUCTNAME% - the (short) product name of the product (i.e. GFI N. S. M. 6.0).
General options Introduction Screenshot 118 – ‘General Options’ node From the ‘General Options’ node you can: • Specify how GFI Network Server Monitor will handle uncertain results. • Configure GFI Network Server Monitor built in Web server. • Specify which proxy server will be used for Internet Protocol based checks. • Enable the event logging activity.
Screenshot 119 - Uncertain Results setup GFI Network Server Monitor can be configured to convert uncertain results to a definite state i.e. Success or Error. To specify how GFI Network Server Monitor will handle uncertain results: 1. Right Click on the ‘General Options’ node and select ‘Properties’. By default the properties dialog will open in the Uncertain Results (tab) options. 2.
Screenshot 120 - built in Web Server settings To configure the built in web server: 1. Right Click on the ‘General Options’ node, select ‘Properties’ and click on the ‘Web Server’ tab. 2. Configure the following parameters: • ‘Enable in-built web server on port….’ – Enable this flag and specify the port which the built in web server will listen on (by default set to 11695). • ‘Allow anonymous access to the web server’ – Enable this flag to indicate that no authentication is required on the web server.
1. Start up Internet Services Manager, right click on the ‘Web Site’ node, and from the popup menu select ‘New – Virtual Directory’. Screenshot 121 - Specifying an alias for the virtual directory 2. This will start the Virtual Directory Creation Wizard. Click on ‘Next’ to continue. Now you need to enter an alias for the virtual directory. In this case it is nsmremotemonitor, but you can enter whatever name you like, as long as it follows the folder naming conventions used in Microsoft Windows.
3. Now enter the path where the content is located. Select ‘Browse’, and select the ‘server\web’ folder in the GFI Network Server Monitor installation path. Screenshot 123 - Setting permissions 4. Next we need to set the access permissions. Mark ‘Read’ only. Do not mark any of the other check boxes. Click on ‘Next’ to finish the Virtual Directory Creation Wizard. 5. Right-click on the newly created virtual directory, located under the web root of your web site server and select ‘Properties’.
Screenshot 124 - Setting Virtual Directory properties 6. In the Virtual Directory tab of the properties dialog, mark the ‘Read’, the ‘Log Visits’ and the ‘Index this resource’ check boxes. 7. Click on ‘OK’ to close the properties dialog. The Virtual Directory has been set-up and you can now test access to it. Securing the Remote Monitor It is important to set up proper authentication and security for this web server and virtual directory. There are three ways to secure the Remote Monitor.
Screenshot 125 - Specify default document 3. Select the Documents tab and remove all the default documents. Add the following default document ‘index.html’. 4. Select the Directory Security tab and click on ‘Edit’ for the Anonymous access and authentication control group. 5. Select Integrated Windows authentication (recommended if installed on the internal network) OR Basic Authentication check box (if installed in the DMZ). Ensure Anonymous access is deselected.
Screenshot 126 - Select authentication method If Integrated Windows authentication is used, then authentication will occur against Active Directory. This means you do not need to configure additional users. If you use Basic Authentication, authentication will occur against the local user database on the computer. In this case you must create user names and passwords on that local computer. For more information on securing IIS, please review the IIS documentation. Be sure not to allow anonymous access! 6.
Screenshot 127 - Setting permissions 7. Add / remove the users / groups you want to grant access to the Remote Monitor. To grant access only to users forming part of the administrators group, you would set the security tab. Click on ‘OK’ to finally secure the remote monitor. Proxy Server settings The proxy server settings define which server will be used for Internet protocol checks.
Screenshot 128 - Proxy Server Setup Window To configure proxy server parameters: 1. Right Click on the ‘General Options’ node and select Properties. 2. Click on the Proxy Server Tab and define the following parameters: • Hostname/IP Address – Specify the proxy server name (e.g. ISASERVER) or IP address. • Port – Specify the port on which the proxy server will listen (default = 8080).
Screenshot 129 - Log file setup Window To configure the logging parameters: 1. Right Click on the ‘General Options’ node and select ‘Properties’. 2. Click on the ‘Logging’ tab and define the following parameters: • ‘Enable Logging of monitoring checks activity’ – Enable this flag to start logging all check activity to a specified text file. • Log file – Specify the full path to the log file. • Field separator – Specify the character that will be used to separate the fields in the log file (e.g.
Database maintenance options Introduction Screenshot 130 - Database Options Through the ‘Database Maintenance Options’ node, you can select and configure the database backend to use for the storing of monitoring results data. You can choose between MS Access and MS SQL Server as a database backend. In the case of SQL Server, you can also specify the type of authentication to use when logging onto the database (SQL Server authentication or Windows authentication).
MS Access database backend Screenshot 131 – Ms Access backend properties dialog To use an Ms Access database backend: 1. Select the ‘MS Access’ option and specify the full path (including file name) of your MS Access database backend. 2. Click on ‘OK’ to save your configuration settings. NOTE: If the specified database file does not exist, it will be created for you.
MSDE/MS SQL Server database backend Screenshot 132 - MSDE/MS SQL Server backend properties dialog To use an MSDE/MS SQL Server database backend: 1. Select the ‘MS SQL Server’ option and specify the name/IP of your SQL Server. 2. Specify the authentication mode to be used when logging on to the SQL Server. GFI Network Server Monitor supports both Windows NT and SQL authentication modes.
Users and Groups Introduction GFI Network Server Monitor checks refer to the user's properties to gain alert details (e.g., email address), rather than directly to an email or a number. This is in order to avoid having to change all the checks if a particular email or number of a user changes. You can configure user name, email address, mobile number, pager number and the computer name(s) from where network messages should be sent, from the user properties.
Configure user properties User parameters are defined in the user properties dialog, which opens automatically whenever a new user is being added, or can be opened when necessary by right clicking on an existing user and selecting ‘Properties’. Screenshot 134 - User Properties dialog Configure user’s general parameters These parameters define the general details of the user, including the alert details (e.g. email address, SMS/Pager number, etc...
• SMS/Pager number – Specify (if required) the Pager number were SMS messages will be sent. • Network Messages – Specify (if required) all the computers to which network messages will be sent. To add a computer to the list, type the computer name in the provided field, and then click on the ‘Add’ button. Repeat the same operation until all computers have been specified. Define working hours GFI Network Server Monitor, allows you to specify the working hours of a user (recipient of alerts).
Define alerts to be used You can specify what alerts (if any) are to be sent, on the occurrence of important events during and/or outside of working hours. This is based on the working hours specified for this user (e.g. you can configure GFI Network Server Monitor to send SMS/Pager alerts to this user ONLY when an event occurs outside normal working hours). For further information on how to setup the working hours for a user, please refer to the ‘Working Hours’ section in this chapter.
Screenshot 137- Members of tab To specify the group(s) to which this user will be added, click on ‘Add’. TIP: You can make multiple selections of groups so as to add all required groups at one go. Delete users To delete users: 1. Click on the Users folder under the ‘Users and Groups’ node and select the user(s) to be deleted. 2. Right click on the selection and choose ‘Delete’. Groups A Group contains a collection of users.
Screenshot 138 - Group Properties dialog 2. Specify the group name (e.g. NetworkAdministrators) and the string which describes the group/groups members (e.g. File Server Administrator). 3. To specify the members for this group, click on ‘Add’, select the users and click on ‘OK’ to accept the selection. Add members to an existing group To add users to an existing group: 1.
Reporting Introduction Out of the box, GFI Network Server Monitor includes a dedicated reporting tool. This tool allows you to create reports that detail the availability of your network resources. You can create reports directly in HTML, or generate XML/CSV reports that you can export to your favorite application.
2. Select the ‘Availability–Detail Report’ option and click on ‘Next’ to continue. Screenshot 140 - Select the period to be covered by report 3. Specify the monitoring period (‘From:’ and ‘To:’ date) to be covered by the report. Screenshot 141 - Specify which checks to include in the report 4. Specify the checks that you wish to include in your report. Select the ‘All Checks’ option to include the data of all existing checks.
the checks which you wish to include in the report. When ready, click on ‘Next’ to continue. NOTE: By default checks are listed in their respective folders. To display only the list of currently configured checks (i.e. without folders), select the ‘Display all configured checks in a list’ option. Screenshot 142 – Choose the report format required 5. Specify the format type and output file name of the report.
Screenshot 143 - The availability detailed report Availability-Summary Report The Availability-Summary Report contains information showing the state of target computers over a specified period of time.
1. Launch the report wizard and select the ‘Availability–Summary Report’ option. 2. Specify the rest of the required settings in the same way as described for the creation of an Availability-Detail Report. For more information, refer to the Availability-Detail Report section in this chapter.
Network tools Enumerate computers This tool searches for domains and/or workgroups on your network. Once the domains are defined, you can scan their contents to catalog the constituent computers and their relative details (e.g., OS, other information from NETBIOS). Computers can be enumerated from: • The Active Directory – Fast method which will also enumerate computers that are currently switched off.
• Select ‘Only these’ to specify which computers to look for. Define selection criteria parameters to be used from the Operating System, Computer services and Computer type options available. 4. Click on the ‘Advanced Tab’ and choose the search method by marking ‘Enumerate from Active directory’ or ‘Enumerate using Windows Explore Interface’ Screenshot 147 - Enumerate Computers - Advanced tab options 5.
running on the specified target computer. You can also highlight / a particular process or indicate processes which are consuming more than a defined percentage (%) of CPU usage. The set up window layout is similar to the enumerate computer’s tool, were the resulting list of processes is displayed in the top-middle window, whilst the status/details of the operation carried out are displayed in the bottommiddle window.
• Hide Processes – Specify the list of processes that you do not want to display in the derived list of processes. To retrieve the list of running processes: 1. Specify the name/IP of the computer from where to retrieve the processes. 2. Specify if you want to display the percentage (%) CPU usage and indicate if processes using more than a specified CPU usage value are to be highlighted. Specify the percentage (%) CPU usage value to be used as reference. 3.
Screenshot 150- DNS Lookup - setup Window To obtain information about a domain name: 1. Go to the Tools > ‘DNS lookup’ node. 2. Specify the hostname to resolve. 3. Specify the information to be retrieved. • Basic Information – i.e. host name and what IP this resolves. • Host Information - known technically as the HINFO, usually includes information such as hardware and what OS runs on the specified domain (most DNS entries do not contain this information for security reasons).
Screenshot 151 - WhoIs tool results 1. Specify the parameters required for this tool: • Domain Name/IP Address – The hostname/IP to resolve and retrieve details for. • Whois Server – The server which will process the query and supply the information related to the defined host. 2. Click on ‘Retrieve’ to start the search. Traceroute This tool shows the network path that GFI Network Server Monitor followed to reach the target computer.
Screenshot 152 - Traceroute Setup window 1. Specify the following parameters: • Domain/IP/Name – Specify the targeted destination. • Do Not resolve IPs – Enable this flag to indicate that only the IP Address is required to be displayed. • Repetition Frequency - Define if the function is to be run more than once and specify the interval between each run. 2. Click on ‘Traceroute’ to start the trace.
Screenshot 153 – The SNMP Audit tool 1. Specify the following parameters: • IP Address – The IP address of the computer running SNMP • String List –The list of strings/parameters to be checked (can be left as default). This property is by default set to the dictionary file included in GFI Network Server Monitor. This dictionary file called snmp-pass.
this service is required it is highly recommended that SNMP is turned off. Screenshot 154 - SNMP Walk Setup window NOTE: In most cases SNMP should be blocked at the router/firewall so that Internet users cannot SNMP scan your network. It is possible to provide alternative community strings. 1. Specify the following parameters: • IP address – Enter the IP address of a computer or device which you wish to scan/’walk’.
Other features Export configurations You can export a copy of your GFI Network Server Monitor configuration settings, including checks, folders alert settings, users/groups and general parameters to a specified XML file. This function can be used to backup your current configuration settings or to use the same configuration settings on another computer running GFI Network Server Monitor (e.g. to avoid reconfiguration when changing the computer on which GFI Network Server Monitor is running).
Import configurations You can import all configuration settings (except for the license key) of another GFI Network Server Monitor setup (e.g., from another server) by using the Import configuration function. This function conveniently avoids having to re-configure the settings of GFI Network Server Monitor when you need to change the computer on which your current version of GFI Network Server Monitor is running.
Version information Screenshot 157 - Version Information Check the version of GFI Network Server Monitor from ‘General’ node > ‘Version Information’.
To check for newer builds, right click on ‘Version Information’ in the ‘General’ Node and selecting ‘Check for Newer Build…’ Licensing Screenshot 159 - Licensing details To check your licensing details, click on ‘Licensing’ in the ‘General’ node.
Writing your own monitoring functions Introduction NOTE: GFI Support cannot assist you in the writing and debugging of custom scripts. You must be familiar with VBscript to write your own functions and you must debug them yourself. GFI Network Server Monitor is designed to let operators write their own monitor functions and use them in the product. GFI uses VBScript because it is the most popular scripting language in Windows environments.
• All variables must be 'dimmed', except EXPLANATION. EXPLANATION is a GFI Network Server Monitor system variable automatically dimmed by the GFI Network Server Monitor service. The function must be written according to the following template: Const retvalUnknown = 1 Function Function_i( var1, var2, ..., varn ) If ( Not Pre-condition ) Then EXPLANATION = "Unable to determine..." Function_i = retvalUnknown Else If( condition ) Then EXPLANATION = "Yes it is true because ...
Screenshot 160 - VBscript check parameters dialog 2. Select ‘Generic VB Script’ and specify the following parameters: • Script location – Specify the path to the VBScript file which will be used. The script should contain the function specified in the Function name field and should return True (-1) in case of success, or False (0) in case of an error; • Function name – Specify the function that GFI Network Server Monitor service will be calling from the specified script file.
upon execution of the function or directly specified as a string (e.g. “JasonM”) NOTE 1: Enclose string parameter values within quotes (e.g. “CPU0”). NOTE 2: You can make changes to the selected script by clicking on the ‘Edit script …’ button. WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) If you plan to write monitor functions based on WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation), be sure you have WMI installed on the GFI Network Server Monitor server and on the target computer/server that you want to monitor.
Troubleshooting Introduction The troubleshooting chapter explains how you should go about resolving issues you have. The main sources of information available to users are: • The manual – most issues can be solved by reading the manual. • The GFI Knowledge Base – accessible from the GFI website. • The GFI support site. • Contacting the support@gfi.com • Contacting the GFI support department using our live support service at http://support.gfi.com/livesupport.
Ensure that you have registered your product on our website first, at http://customers.gfi.com. We will answer your query within 24 hours or less, depending on your time zone. Request support via web chat You may also request support via “LiveSupport (web chat)”. You can contact the GFI support department using our LiveSupport service at http://support.gfi.com/livesupport.asp Ensure that you have registered your product on our website first, at http://customers.gfi.
I Index ICMP ping 4 inheritance 2 installation 9, 12, 14, 137, 140, 173 L A ADSI 6, 173, 176 Alerting Options 107, 108, 110, 112, 114, 117, 119, 122, 125, 127, 129, 130 alerts 2, 6, 13, 34, 38 Alerts 27, 28 C Check folders 37, 95 checks status 99 configuration 14, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36 CPU usage 3, 5 D database backend 3, 13, 14, 145, 146, 147, 155 Dependencies 34 Directory size 3, 5 Disk drive 3 Disk space 3, 5 DNS server 4, 50 E email 1, 2, 38, 107, 109 EMAIL 149 e-mail alerts 27, 28 Event ID
R Reporting 6 reporting tool 155 reports 6, 155 S Services function 3 SMS 1, 2, 27, 28, 29, 112, 124, 125, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131 SMSC 2, 124, 126, 127, 128, 129 SMTP server 4, 28, 48 SNMP 5, 58, 59, 105 SNMP monitoring checks 58 SQL 2 state indicators 105 System requirements 9 T TCP 4, 44, 45, 46, 48, 52 Terminal Services checks 81, 82, 83 U uncertain result 105, 133 UNIX 1 Users and Groups 4, 5, 31, 76, 91, 111, 149, 153, 154 Users and Groups Membership function 4, 5 V VBScript 5, 60, 173, 174 W Win
