The server monitoring tool selection process is often a matter of matching several things: hardware, operating system, functionality (e.g., Web or database,), and organizational priorities (e.g., preferring software that provides a strong reporting and analytical capability). Some enterprises may opt to match their hardware vendor with the monitoring software (e.g., an xSeries shop may choose Tivoli); others may look for specific features or best-of-breed characteristics in different kinds of servers (again, most commonly for Web and database servers).
And don’t forget specific organizational needs. When comparing server monitoring products, it may be important to evaluate the options for alerting administrators, as support for specific methods, such as SMS and e-mail, can be crucial for some organizations. Alternatively, the ability to take remote corrective measures, such as server shutdown or script execution, can be of great practical value.
The ServerWatch Server Monitoring Tools Matrix below is designed to help in the comparison of products by listing a range of features and placing the servers side by side. Keep in mind, however, that to create a usable matrix, we had to limit the details for several monitoring functions. Hence, the blank cells at the bottom of the table, which are there for you to fill in with any requirements unique to your organization.
Product 1 | Product 2 | Product 3 | |||
Real-Time Monitoring | Physical Status | Temperature | |||
Chassis Integrity | |||||
Power Supply | |||||
Fan Speed | |||||
Server Performance | Hard Disk Utilization | ||||
– Files Open/Owner | |||||
– File Existence Monitor | |||||
– File Size Monitor (e.g. Log files) | |||||
Memory Utilization | |||||
CPU Utilization | |||||
Processes (Count) | |||||
Services Monitoring | DNS | ||||
HTTP/HTTPS | |||||
FTP | |||||
Telnet | |||||
NNTP | |||||
SMTP, POP3, or IMAP | |||||
Custom Port Monitoring | |||||
Server Types Supported | Web | ||||
Database | |||||
File | |||||
Communications | |||||
Network Monitoring | Network Throughput | ||||
Current Logons | |||||
Failover Monitoring | |||||
Other Network Monitoring Points | |||||
Web Site Monitoring | Hit Rate | ||||
Page Content Verification | |||||
Database Connection Verification | |||||
Cache Rate(s) | |||||
Security | Intrusion Monitoring | ||||
Login Error Monitoring | |||||
Other Security Monitoring Points | |||||
Administration | Dashboard (or Other Overview Display) | ||||
Remote or Internet Monitoring | |||||
Monitor Views | Domain | ||||
Workgroup | |||||
User-Defined Group | |||||
Alert Modes | |||||
Phone (Land Line or Cell Phone) | |||||
Pager | |||||
Network Alert | |||||
SMS | |||||
Escalating Alert Levels Support | |||||
Alert Multiple People | |||||
Designate by Type of Alert | |||||
Monitoring Interval | |||||
User Configurable Monitoring Intervals | |||||
Corrective Action Support | Machine Shutdown or Reboot | ||||
Service Shutdown or Restart | |||||
Process Shutdown or Restart | |||||
Run Script, EXE, and Job | |||||
Testing Suite — Automatic Testing Support | |||||
Historical Monitoring | Logs | ||||
Statistics | |||||
Reporting | Online | ||||
Printed | |||||
Charts or Graphs | |||||
Analysis | |||||
Other | |||||
Other | |||||
Other | |||||
Other |