Server Availability Monitoring Tools

This report highlights various server monitoring tools and metrics. The server monitoring tools are essential in proper functioning of the server and in maintaining server health. There are various server monitoring tools in the market. Thus this report will show the analysis of few servers and its various attributes.

Running head: SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Server availability monitoring tools
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Executive Summary
This report highlights various server monitoring tools and metrics. The server monitoring tools are
essential in proper functioning of the server and in maintaining server health. There are various
server monitoring tools in the market. Thus this report will show the analysis of few servers and its
various attributes.

2SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
IT Infrastructure-Monitoring Tools........................................................................................................3
Comparison...........................................................................................................................................6
Ganglia..............................................................................................................................................6
CollectD...........................................................................................................................................10
WhatsUp Gold.................................................................................................................................14
Zabbix..............................................................................................................................................18
Nagios.............................................................................................................................................22
Icinga...............................................................................................................................................26
OpenNMS........................................................................................................................................30
Cacti................................................................................................................................................33
SpiceWorks......................................................................................................................................37
Architecture of server monitoring tool................................................................................................41
Vulnerability of data in monitoring tools of the server........................................................................42
Impacts of prediction failure in server monitoring tool.......................................................................42
References...........................................................................................................................................43

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Introduction
Server monitoring is an important task as a small problem in the server can lead to
enormous trouble like server crashes and huge amount of data loss. Proper maintenance of their
server is required for the smooth running of information in the organizations network system.
Organizations face core concern regarding the monitoring server availability and server services.
Server health is important for the running of servers in the organization. To ensure improved and
proper functioning of the server, resources used to provide services needs stringent monitoring.
Additional functions include identification of user access and request, responding to request and
providing permission for access of data resources. A glitch in the server can hamper a day’s work
leading to greater damage. Server monitoring tools aids in maintaining proper health of the server,
server activities and administrating the server’s performance. The monitoring tools generate report,
which are used to understand the performance capacity of the server in its working environment.
The tools ensure efficient schedule to checks to identify problems and immediately works on o
provide a solution[1]. Any kind of suspicious activities like third party login, time of response,
utilization of resources and downtime of application is all measured and monitored by the
monitoring tool. The tools raises alert and generates warning if any malicious activity is identified or
if the server faces any internal issue. Graphical representations help in visualization of the issue
faced by the servers. Degradation issues which impacts service delivery function are checked and
troubleshooting is performed for the overall stack [2]. Right selection of the software needs to be in
sync with the organization’s preference and need. There are several server monitoring tools in the
market and each tool has its own specialty.
IT Infrastructure-Monitoring Tools
Server availability monitoring tools provide the following basic services [2]:
(1) Immaculate visual presentation of the connected devices supported by server system.
(2) Identification of root cause of the issues and resolving them quickly.
(3) Performs troubleshooting to receive data instantly.
(4) Performance quality is improved to reduce risks of outage.
(5) Dependencies are uncovered.
Server monitoring availability tools are given below:
(a) Ganglia

4SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
(b) CollectD
(c) WhatsUp Gold
(d) Nagios Core
(e) Cacti
(f) Spiceworks
(g) Zabbix
(h) OpenNMS
(i) Icinga
Ganglia: This server monitoring software serves computers with top performance systems like grids
and clusters. The software is scalable distributed tool which has its design based on hierarchy and
leverages technologies like XDR for compacting and for data representation – XML, RRD tool is used
in visualization and storage of data, lastly portable data transfer. High concurrency and low node
overheads are achieved through complex algorithms and data structure. The tool can be used to
scale 2000 nodes clusters. It is BSD licensed and an open source monitoring tool. As it scales large
count of servers, the system provides real time visual metrics of the performance of the server(s).
CollectD: This daemon is Unix based which stores and records performance of the systems
periodically, provide methods to store values in several ways like RRD files. The information
collected from log files, applications and external devices are stored and are made available on the
network system. The recorded data can be used to perform analysis to identify bottlenecks and
predict system capacity. This monitoring tool provides graphical representation of working of the
server for easy comprehension [7]. The software is written in C. This allows the tool to run on
embedded systems. Graphs are not generated by CollectD. The plugins of the daemon range from
basic standard one to specialized advance ones.
Icinga: Icinga is an open source flexible monitoring server tool, which covers most requirements as
the framework can be customizable. Enterprises use this software to efficiently monitor server
applications and server. Database (DB) connectors and REST API are provided by Icinga software.
The new characteristics of API provide integration of numerous extensions. The extensions require
no core modification directly. The tools offer solutions, which monitor the complete network
resource, generate data report of performance, and notify errors and recoveries. Other features
include dashboards, Icinga director and alerts. The tool efficiently monitors server health and can
run multiple checks per second as the multithreaded design permits such a performance.
Cacti: It is a web based graphical and network monitoring tool which I designed for front end and an
open source application. The software provides graph services and the user is given allowance to poll
the services at intervals and the resulting data is reported in a graph. CPU utilization and bandwidth
is measured and graphed. Network traffic is monitored by the tool by polling router or switches via
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). Data is collected by using external scripts. Graphs

5SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
are created easily from load balancers and server. This tool is highly used by organizations to
monitor the servers.
Spiceworks: Another significant and useful server availability monitoring tool is Spice work. This
server monitoring tool provides perception of SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)
devices, servers and network switches[4]. The insights provided by the tool are useful in measuring
and recoding data which on analyzing gives insightful information. Ruby on Rails is used to write the
server monitoring tool. Responsibilities of the tool include providing knowledge base and as well as
the tool monitor the functions of the help desk. The server monitoring tool looks for and finds out
all the IP addressing devices in the network system.
Zabbix: Zabbix is another open source monitoring tool for the server and it provides useful methods
for numerous IT components. The numerous components it monitors are mainly servers, networks,
cloud servers and Virtual machines (VM). The server monitoring software gives information on
various monitoring metrics specifically disk space usage, CPU monitoring, networking utilization.
Templates of XML are used to monitor such elements [3]. The software allows checks to verify
responsiveness and availability of the standard services like HTTP or SMTP. The process requires no
prior installation of software for monitored host. The software monitoring tool can be installed on
Windows a well as UNIX.
OpenNMS: OpenNMs server monitoring tool is free open source monitoring tool and offers premium
service. The tool is distributed and provides a scalable application management forum for FCAPS
(fault, configuration, accounting, performance and security) network[8]. The server tool allows a
maximum of ten devices to be connected and enables single user login and the tool provides basic
monitoring support and function of the server. The monitoring tool provides enterprise class model
solutions which is provided with the capability of checking and observing hardware of wide range
and virtualized stages. This server monitoring tool can remotely monitor applications efficiently.
WhatsUp Gold: WhatsUp Gold is a very popular server monitoring tool and a favorite of the
professionals. In the world of server monitoring tools whatsUp gold is the most used software. The
tool has outgrown several abilities making it a most chosen option. This tool scans the network
system completely and efficiently by using several tables and routing protocols. Duplicate devices
are eliminated to enhance the efficient use of the license in a proper manner. The comprehensive
structure of the tool provides mapping of the entire infrastructure of the network system. The tool
monitors wireless controllers, applications, devices, traffic flow and servers [6]. The tool initiates real
time alerts and warnings to avoid excessive data load or degrading of server health which enhances
optimized performance. The installation of the software is very easy. The flexibility of the tool is very
useful in both closed network or a limited bandwidth network and latency in connection.
Nagios: The tool is customizable and cost effective. The tool monitors server performance yet the
tool has limited attributes [5].

6SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Comparison
Ganglia
Disk usage
Figure 1: Disk Usage
Source: (Created by Author)

7SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
CPU Monitoring
Figure 2: CPU Monitoring
Source: (Created by Author)
Resource Monitoring

8SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Figure 3: Resource Monitoring
Source: (Created by Author)
Bandwidth Monitoring
Figure 4: Bandwidth Monitoring
Source: (Created by Author)

9SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Process Monitoring
Figure 5: Process Monitoring
Source: (Created by Author)

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CollectD
Disk usage
Figure 6: Disk Usage)
Source: (Created By Author)

11SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
CPU Monitoring
Figure 7: CPU Monitoring
Source: (Created by Author)

12SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Process Monitoring
Figure 8: Process Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)
Resource Monitoring
Figure 9: Resource Monitoring
Source: (Created by Author)

13SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Bandwidth Measuring
Figure 10: Bandwidth Measuring
Source: (Created By Author)

14SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
WhatsUp Gold
Disk Usage
Figure 11: Disk Usage
Source: (Created By Author)

15SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Process Monitoring
Figure 12: Process Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)
CPU Monitoring
Figure 13: CPU Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

16SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Bandwidth Monitoring
Figure 14: Bandwidth Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

17SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Resource Monitoring
Figure 15: Resource Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

18SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Zabbix
Disk Usage
Figure 16: Disk Usage
Source: (Created by Author)

19SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Process Monitoring
Figure 17: Process Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)
CPU Monitoring
Figure 18: CPU Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

20SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Bandwidth Monitoring
Figure 19: Bandwidth Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

21SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Resource Monitoring
Figure 20: Resource Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

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Nagios
Bandwidth Monitoring
Figure 21: Bandwidth Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)
CPU Monitoring

23SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Figure 22: CPU Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)
Process Monitoring
Figure 23: Process Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

24SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Resource Monitoring
Figure 24: Resource Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

25SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Disk usage
Figure 25: Disk usage
Source: (Created By Author)

26SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Icinga
Disk usage
Figure 26: Disk Usage
Source: (Created By Author)
Bandwidth Monitoring
Figure 27: Bandwidth Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

27SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Process Monitoring
Figure 28: Process Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

28SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Resource Monitoring
Figure 29: Resource Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

29SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
CPU Monitoring
Figure 30: CPU Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

30SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
OpenNMS
Disk usage
Figure 31: Disk Usage
Source: (Created By Author)

31SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Bandwidth Monitoring
Figure 32: Bandwidth Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)
CPU Monitoring

32SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Figure 33: CPU Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)
Resource Monitoring
Figure 34: Resource Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

33SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Process Monitoring
Figure 35: Process Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)
Cacti
Disk usage

34SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Figure 36: Disk Usage
Source: (Created By Author)
Bandwidth Monitoring
Figure 37: Bandwidth Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

35SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Process Monitoring
Figure 38: Process Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)
Resource Monitoring
Figure 39: Resource Monitoring

36SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Source: (Created By Author)
CPU Monitoring
Figure 40: CPU Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

37SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
SpiceWorks
Disk usage
Figure 41: Disk Usage
Source: (Created By Author)

38SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Bandwidth Monitoring
Figure 42: Bandwidth Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)
CPU Monitoring
Figure 43: CPU Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

39SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Resource Monitoring
Figure 44: Resource Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

40SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Process Monitoring
Figure 45: Process Monitoring
Source: (Created By Author)

41SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Architecture of server monitoring tool
Fig 26: Architecture for server availability monitoring
Source: ([1])
Server monitoring is an essential task for the proper functioning of the server. Architecture
of server monitoring tools has been improved and diversified to enhance the functioning of the
monitoring tools. The basic architecture of a server monitoring tool involves a data base, log files,
monitoring tool, applications, service and an operating system. The tools ensure the proper
functioning and monitoring of the components of the server system. The database of the system
reports, initiates alerts and monitors service.
Considering the example of Nagios software [9], the tool alerts if there are any issues in the system.
There are plugins which are used to monitoring and raising alerts. The functions of the plugins
include determining the checking of hosts and services of the system. The checks are done
periodically to keep the system updated. Configuration files hold the information about the services
and hosts to be checked by the tool. To maintain the log file it is connected to the daemon. The
system has four states mainly hard, soft, service and host states. Each state has its own function.

42SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
Vulnerability of data in monitoring tools of the server
Server systems faces vulnerability of data as the server provides multiple access to users.
Each access point becomes vulnerable and leakage of data is possible from these points [12]. To
avoid such security breaches, server scanning tools should be used. Comondo HackerProof is an
efficient server vulnerability scanning tool [10]. The program is designed to handle security issues of
the users. The tool periodically scans the system for vulnerability points and provides immediate
solution for the same.
Impacts of prediction failure in server monitoring tool
When a monitoring tool fails to identify developing issues in the server system, the impacts can be
enormous. Some of them are as follows:
 Server crash can occur hampering the working of the organization [11].
 Loss of sensitive and confidential data.
 The server tools will prove it to be faulty and functionless if the issues cannot be detected by
the tool.
 Security and performance of the server will deteriorate.

43SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
References
[1] J. Hernantes, G. Gallardo and N. Serrano, "IT Infrastructure-Monitoring Tools" in IEEE
Software, vol. 32, no. 04, pp. 88-93, 2015.doi: 10.1109/MS.2015.96
[2]R. Gilligan, G. Bollard, and G. Sutton, Mastercard International Inc. Method and Systems for
Monitoring Changes for a Server System. U.S. Patent Application 15/618,032, 2017.
[3] A. Dalle Vacche. Mastering Zabbix. Packt Publishing Ltd, 2015.
[4] E.D Schank, F. Sullivan, S.R Abel, BS. Gugliemetti, and T. Syed, Spiceworks Inc. Network software
and hardware monitoring and marketplace. U.S. Patent 9,483,791, 2016.
[5] T. Ryder. Nagios Core Administration Cookbook. Packt Publishing Ltd, 2016.
[6] K. Lappanitchayakul. Development of Email and SMS Based Notification System to Detect
Abnormal Network Conditions: A Case Study of Faculty of Business Administration, Rajamangala
University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Thailand. In 2018 International Conference on Intelligent
Informatics and Biomedical Sciences (ICIIBMS)(Vol. 3, pp. 98-105). IEEE, 2018(October).
[7] G. Tortone, A. Aloisio, R. Giordano, A. Anastasio, V. Izzo, F.Ameli, F. Di Capua, and P.
Branchini. Web based visualization tools for EPICS embedded systems: an application to Belle2,
2018.
[8] N. Palmer, J.Batola, A. Lane, E.P Terrace, and P. Gate. Introducing Industrial Computer Networks
into the Curriculum through a Partner Informed Case Study. Computing Education from Enrolment to
Employment, p.21, 2017.
[9] A. Cardoso, CJV TEIXEIRA and J.S PINTO. Architecture for Highly Configurable Dashboards for
Operations Monitoring and Support. Studies in Informatics and Control, 27(3), pp.319-330 2018.

44SERVER AVAILABILITY MONITORING TOOLS
[10] S.A. Guarnieri, M. Pistoia, and O. Tripp, International Business Machines Corp. Certifying server
side web applications against security vulnerabilities. U.S. Patent 8,943,599, 2015.
[11] B. Nevarez, SQL Server Storage. In High Performance SQL Server (pp. 181-196). Apress, Berkeley,
CA , 2016.
[12] N. Schagen, K. Koning, H. Bos, and C. Giuffrida. Towards Automated Vulnerability Scanning of
Network Servers. In Proceedings of the 11th European Workshop on Systems Security (p. 5). ACM,
2018.