Monitoring Windows hosts...

[Michael Medin]

Hello,

DISCLAIMER!
I am (BTW) the author of NSClient++ so I am pretty biased...

I did a presenation on windows monitoring at netways nagios conference
last year where I presented my views on the various options avalible for
windows monitoring (slides can be found (in .pptx)
http://nsclient.org/nscp/wiki/conferences/nnk-2008 ) and my conclusion was
the following (see below). There is also (if you want) some more details
on the various options in the powerpoint slides (and if you want I can
email you if you cant read the ppt) this is just the ending summary.

Conclusion:
I would use either:
 * NSClient++
 * NC_NET
I would not use (unless I have a specific reason):
 * SNMP
  - Complex to use
 * NSClient
  - Old and outdated
 * NRPE_NT
  - Hard for some (simple) checks
 * OpMonAgent
  - I don’t see the benefit
 * "Agentless" WMI
  - Limited functionality


// Michael Medin


> I'm a UNIX and network guy, but since Nagios is my task, I also have to
> add the Windows servers to Nagios. The network tests are fine, but I'm
> curious which is the best solution for monitoring local items on a
> Windows server (2000, 2003, and 2008).
>
> Here's what I think the options are:
>
> Use check_nt with NSClient, NSClient++, OpMon Agent, or NC_Net
> Use check_nrpe with NSClient++, OpMon Agent, or NRPE_NT
> Use check_ncnet with NSClient, NSClient++, OpMon Agent, or NC_Ne
> Use NSCA-Daemon with NC_Net
>
> Note: I'm interested in screwing with WMI...
>
> NSClient appears to be old, but stable and well known. However I see it
> has good support for NT4 and 2000 and 2003 R1, but not 2003 R2 and I
> don't see anything about 2008 Server.
>
> NC_Net looks current and well developed.
>
> NSClient++ seems to have NSClient compatibility, but is more current and
> supports NT4 thru 2008.
>
> It looks like I already have check_nt as part of a default 3.x
> installation.
>
> NRPE_NT also seems to have been around for a bit and stable.
>
> NSClient++ seems to have its own, native NRPE support.
>
> What are your opinions of the best combination to A) get the best
> overall support and B) have the least impact/installation on a Windows
> server? I want something current and currently developed with 2008
> support, but I also want stability and the least work possible.
> Presently I'm using NRPE for my local linux/UNIX servers, so I'm
> inclined to give NRPE a try, but I'd also like to avoid loading plugins
> on the Windows client if I can.
>
> I'm leaning towards NSClient++ with check_nt, but I'm not sure this is
> the best solutions.
>
> Thoughts, opinions, and ideas are requested...
>
> --
>
>
>   A. Davis
>   Email:     nccomp at gmail.com
>
>   "There is no limit to what a man can accomplish
>    if he doesn't care who gets the credit." - Ronald Reagan
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Apps built with the Adobe(R) Flex(R) framework and Flex Builder(TM) are
> powering Web 2.0 with engaging, cross-platform capabilities. Quickly and
> easily build your RIAs with Flex Builder, the Eclipse(TM)based development
> software that enables intelligent coding and step-through debugging.
> Download the free 60 day trial.
> http://p.sf.net/sfu/www-adobe-com_______________________________________________
> Nagios-users mailing list
> Nagios-users at lists.sourceforge.net
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/nagios-users
> ::: Please include Nagios version, plugin version (-v) and OS when
> reporting any issue.
> ::: Messages without supporting info will risk being sent to /dev/null



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apps built with the Adobe(R) Flex(R) framework and Flex Builder(TM) are
powering Web 2.0 with engaging, cross-platform capabilities. Quickly and
easily build your RIAs with Flex Builder, the Eclipse(TM)based development
software that enables intelligent coding and step-through debugging.
Download the free 60 day trial. http://p.sf.net/sfu/www-adobe-com
_______________________________________________
Nagios-users mailing list
Nagios-users at lists.sourceforge.net
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/nagios-users
::: Please include Nagios version, plugin version (-v) and OS when reporting any issue. 
::: Messages without supporting info will risk being sent to /dev/null