GFI Network Server Monitor Software

Automated Server and Network Monitoring Made Easy

GFI Network Server Monitor™ scans your network for failures or irregularities. It does so automatically so that you can identify issues and fix unexpected problems before your users (or your managers) even know they've happened. It provides instant notification of any problems by email, pager or SMS and can take a number of remedial actions automatically, such as rebooting a machine, restarting a service or running a script. Used by thousands of customers, GFI Network Server Monitor is an ideal solution for small and medium-size businesses (SMBs).

GFI Network Server Monitor Benefits:

• Maximize network and server uptime
  GFI Network Server Monitor maximizes network availability by monitoring all aspects of your Windows and Linux servers, workstations and devices (routers, etc). When a failure is detected, GFI's network monitor can alert you by email, pager or SMS, as well as taking corrective action by, for example, rebooting the machine, restarting the service or running a script.
• Performs a Real Test
  GFI Network Server Monitor actually tests the status of a service, rather than deducing a service status from generated events as other products do. It is the only realway to ensure server uptime. GFI Network Server Monitor is easy to set up and use, and is competitively priced.
• Automatic alerts
  Alerts you by email, pager or SMS when a failure is detected, as well as automatically taking the preconfigured corrective action by, for example, rebooting the machine, restarting the service or running a script.
• Built-in rules
  Enables you to monitor virtually anything, providing a vast set of built-in monitoring rule and permitting you to create custom monitor functions in VBscript, ADSI and WMI.
• Easy to use
  Easy to learn, easy to use and easy to deploy - no client component or agent involved.
• Highly competitive price
  Offers all these benefits at very attractive pricing.

Built-in rules for several network servers and services
GFI Network Server Monitor built-in monitoring rules include: Exchange Server 2000/2003, MS SQL, Oracle and ODBC databases, CPU usage, FTP & HTTP Servers Group Membership, Active Directory & NTDS, Disk Drive health, Disk Space, Event Log (with content checking), File Existence (with content checking), TCP, ICMP/Ping, SMTP & POP3 Mail servers, Printers, Processes, Services, UNIX Shell Scripts (RSH), SNMP & Terminal Server.

Custom monitor functions can also be created in VBscript and ADSI and WMI can also be leveraged, allowing you to monitor virtually anything!

Why choose GFI Network Server Monitor?

• Monitor your network and servers for software and hardware failures
• Out-of-the-box monitoring of Exchange, ISA, SQL, Web servers and more!
• Monitor disk space, services, processes, etc. on servers and workstations
• Easy to learn/use and easy to deploy – no client component/agent.

What's new in GFI Network Server Monitor 7?

GFI Network Server Monitor 7 is now available for purchase and includes these new and enhanced features:

New features:

• Nested folders support: It is now possible to organise folders in a ‘nested folder’ format – this has enhanced configuration ease of use further as well as support for more complex monitoring needs such as that of consultants or enterprises with more granular server distribution.
   
• Support for SQL Server as a database backend: GFI Network Server Monitor 7.0 now allows you to store monitoring data to either an SQL Server or MS Access database backend. SQL Server is more appropriate for users with higher monitoring level requirements as well as people who need to centralize the monitoring results of multiple NSM installations in one place (e.g. for backups, remote accessing as well as report generation by third party tools such as Crystal Reports or MS Reporting Services).
   
• New monitoring checks: Two new checks are available with GFI Network Server Monitor 7.0: Email route check (checks how long it takes an email to arrive to destination) and Daemon Check (this SSH based Linux Monitoring Check checks that a Linux service is running/stopped).

Enhanced features:

• Support for both SQL Server user logins as well as Windows Authentication based methods for logging into the SQL database backend
• Enhanced SMS alerting options including:
  • Sending SMS directly through a physically connected GSM mobile
  • Use of GFI FAXmaker email to SMS gateway service (requires FAXmaker to be installed and configured separately)
  • Use of Clickatell web email-to-SMS online gateway service
  • Use of any other third party email to SMS gateways
  • The NSM 5.5/6.0 SMS engine (kept for backward compatibility).
• Enhanced existing monitoring checks configurable parameters for ICMP and DNS
• Replaced existing monitoring checks with newer checks which mimic administrator operations to verify that target services are running such as, for example, logon to a service, perform a task and logoff the service. Monitoring checks upgraded to use such methodologies include IMAP, POP3 and SMTP Server checks
• Enhanced Create New Monitoring Checks Wizard making it easier to configure new checks which are being created
• Enhanced NSM reporter Wizard to cater for the newly introduced nested folders feature in version 7.0
• Enhanced performance and feedback in 'Monitor Now' feature for both Configuration and Status Monitor
• Enhanced monitoring checks status views visible over the web to support nested folders and the new types of monitoring checks. New states to indicate the internal state of a check have been introduced to further enhance the feedback NSM returns to the user.

Features:

Enterprise class architecture
GFI Network Server Monitor consists of a network monitoring service and a separate management interface. No agent software needs to be installed on the machines you wish to monitor. The Network Monitor Engine is multi-threaded and can run 40 checks at a time. This software architecture allows for high reliability and scalability to monitor both large and small networks.

Includes checks for Exchange 2000/2003, ISA server, IIS and others
Via the Quickstart wizard, you can quickly create a series of checks which monitor all the important services on your network, including Exchange Server, IIS and others. Critical Exchange services and performance counters (Information Store, mailboxes, SMTP service, etc) are monitored.

Monitors terminal servers by actually logging in
GFI Network Server Monitor can check the status of a terminal server by actually performing a complete login and checking if the session is established correctly. This monitoring method is superior to relying on the events that the terminal server generates (as Microsoft MOM does).

Monitor your database servers (SQL/ODBC)
GFI Network Server Monitor can check the availability of all leading database applications. Out of the box, it can monitor Microsoft SQL Server via ADO. Other databases such as Access, FoxPro, Paradox, SyBase, Informix, IBM DB2 and many more can be monitored via ODBC.

Monitor Linux servers
GFI Network Server Monitor includes extensive checks for monitoring Linux servers. You can monitor CPU usage, printer availability, file existence, process running, folder size, file size, users and groups membership, disk partition check and disk space. In addition, administrators can create any check by creating an SSH script.

Performs administrative steps to ensure that a service is running
GFI has developed specialized checks which mimic administrator operations to verify that services offered by various applications are running, for example, logon to a service, perform a task and logoff the service – without the need for any administrative intervention! The monitoring functions that make use of such methodologies include: IMAP, POP3, SMTP Server and the email route check. Through the active use of such services one can guarantee that all aspects of these services are running and functioning.

Takes corrective action automatically
After an unexpected condition has occurred, GFI Network Server Monitor can automatically correct the problem by restarting a service (or multiple services) upon failure; rebooting a server upon failure; or launching an executable, batch job or VBScript.

Built-in Computer Monitor Functions

GFI Network Server Monitor includes a number of functions to make it easier and faster for you to check various aspects of your system, including:

• CPU usage function – Ensure that a processor’s usage does not go beyond a certain level
• Performance counter – Monitor any internal operating system counter, including counters used by SQL Server and MSMQ
• Directory size function – Ensure that a particular directory (for example, a user’s home directory) does not take up more than x amount of drive space
• Disk drive function – Monitor the physical status of the disk
• Disk space function – Check if sufficient disk space is available
• File existence function – Monitor the existence of a particular file, for example, results of scheduled batch jobs
• File size function – Monitor the size of particular files, for example, critical log files.

Built in Internet Service Functions

GFI Network Server Monitor includes a number of functions to make it faster and easier for you to check various aspects of your Internet systems, including:

• HTTP function – Checks availability of HTTP and HTTPS sites; passes credentials if required
• Website content checking – Checks website content by specifying a text pattern
• FTP function – Checks availability of an FTP server/site
• ICMP ping function – Checks a remote host for availability
• IMAP server function – Checks that the IMAP service is functioning by logging into the service and checking the count of the emails contained in a specific folder on the IMAP server
• DNS server function – Checks DNS server by reading an 'A' record and verifying the result
• SMTP server function – Checks mail server by establishing a connection and handshaking to verify SMTP protocol is working correctly
• POP3 server function – Checks POP3 servers by establishing a connection and handshaking
• NNTP news server function – Checks connection and does a handshake
• SNMP function – Monitors specific variables on remote machines or devices via the SNMP GET message
• TCP port function – Checks if a port is responding and checks its response
• NTP timeserver function – Monitors status of timeservers
• Email route function – Checks the health of email services by actually sending test emails and verifying their delivery at destination. This check is also useful for verifying performance of your mailing systems
• Daemon function – SSH-based check that verifies if particular daemons are running on target Linux/Unix computer/s.

Alert notification via email, pager or SMS
When it detects a failure, GFI Network Server Monitor can send alerts via SMS, pager, email or a network message. SMS (text) messages are sent either through an SMS service provider (SMSC), directly through a connected GSM phone/modem; it is also possible to use the GFI FAXmaker email-to-SMS gateway service, Clickatell’s web email-to-SMS online gateway service or any third party email-to-SMS gateway. All notifications can be customized using variables. Recipients can be configured globally for all rules.

Support for SQL Server/MS Access as a database backend
GFI Network Server Monitor allows you to store monitoring data to either an SQL Server or MS Access database backend. SQL Server is more appropriate for users with higher monitoring level requirements as well as those who need to centralize the monitoring results of multiple GFI Network Server Monitor installations in one place (such as backups, remote accessing as well as report generation by third party tools such as Crystal Reports or MS Reporting Services).

View network status from anywhere in the world
You can check rule status from any location using GFI Network Server Monitor's remote web monitor. The remote web monitor includes two types of web page views: One for a normal web browser and one optimized for viewing from a mobile phone or handheld device such as a BlackBerry or a Palm. A small footprint web server is included, although the feature can also be operated in conjunction with IIS.

Monitor remote event logs
GFI Network Server Monitor can scan Windows event logs on local or remote computers and look for specific event sources, categories, event IDs and patterns in the description of the event. In addition, it can look for multiple events occurring in a specific time interval, for example, a McAfee or Norton virus alert posted in the last 30 minutes.

Monitor processes, services performance and CPU usage
GFI Network Server Monitor enables you to check critical processes and services on local and remote computers. You can also monitor the CPU usage of a machine and any performance counter accessible through perfmon.msc. This way, you can ensure that virtually any application is running properly.

Custom network monitoring using VBScript and SSH
Although GFI Network Server Monitor includes an extensive set of default monitoring functions, you can build your own custom checks by writing a VBScript (Windows) or an SSH shell script (Linux). From VBScript, you can use both WMI and ADSI. WMI is an interface to a broad range of hardware/software/OS-related properties of a computer, allowing you to perform almost any check. Using ADSI, you can interface to Active Directory.

Monitor users, groups and other Active Directory information
Use GFI Network Server Monitor to monitor directory information. For example, monitor group membership of the domain admins group. You can also check user accounts (locked out, disabled, etc.), computer accounts, groups, group membership, organizational units, and so on.

Competitively priced
Network monitoring/management products are traditionally rather expensive. By contrast, GFI Network Server Monitor costs just USD 1,530 to monitor up to 50 IPs and USD 594 to monitor up to 10 IPs.

Nested folder support
It is possible to organize folders in a nested folder format - this provides support for more complex monitoring needs such as that of consultants or enterprises with more granular server distribution.

Support for Virtual Environments
Organizations that are currently using or plan to use virtualization on their network can still install and use a range of GFI products with confidence. GFI Network Server Monitor supports and runs on the most common virtualization technologies in use, namely VMware, Microsoft Virtual Server and Microsoft Hyper-V.

Other features:

• Configure maintenance periods to avoid alerts being sent during scheduled maintenance
• Advanced logging options to text file or event log
• Configure dependencies to avoid multiple alerts for error conditions dependent on each other
• Monitor network printer status
• Reporting – includes reports that detail the availability of your network resources; alternatively, use Crystal Reports to access the database and create your own reports
• Monitoring checks wizard that easily configures new checks for your present systems
• Accommodates employee shifts: GFI Network Server Monitor can notify different people depending on the time at which the check triggered.

Specifications:

System Requirements: Hardware

• CPU - 2GHZ
• RAM (minimum/recommended) – 512 MB / 1 GB
• Hard Disk space – 100 Mb

System Requirements: Software

Supported Operating Systems (x86 or x64)

• Windows 2008 (R1 and R2) – Standard, Enterprise
• Windows 2003 – Standard, Enterprise
• Windows 2000 – Professional, Server, Advanced Server
• Windows 7 - Standard, Professional, Enterprise
• Windows Vista – Enterprise, Business, Ultimate
• Windows XP – Professional
• SBS 2008
• SBS 2003

Other required components

• Internet Explorer 5.5 (SP2) or later
• .NET framework 1.1
• MDAC 2.6

Any computer that you wish to monitor requires:

• WMI – included in Windows 2000 or higher. WMI must be enabled.
• Windows Scripting Host 5.5 or higher – required only if there are configured checks that are using VB Script. Windows Scripting Host  is included in Internet Explorer 5.5 (SP2) or higher.

Screenshots:

Click on a thumbnail to see that picture in full size!

 

Awards and Reviews:

	GFI Network Server Monitor receives positive reviews Polish magazine, Networld Magazine, reviewed GFI Network Server Monitor and found it to be a useful and positive software - Networld Magazine
	WindowsNetworking.com Readers' Choice Award for GFI Network ServerMonitor GFI Network ServerMonitor was selected first runner-up in the Network Monitoring and Management category of the WindowsNetworking.com Readers' Choice Awards - WindowsNetworking.com
	GFI NetworkServerMonitor - Best web tool GFI NetworkServerMonitor considered a best web tool for network monitoring - www.webhostingsearch.com
	GFI NetworkServerMonitor awarded Community Choice Award GFI NetworkServerMonitor and GFI EventsManager were named winner of the "Community Choice Awards", and GFI EndPointSecurity was awarded Best Security Product - Community Choice by Penton Media's Windows IT Pro magazine - Windows IT Pro
	GFI NetworkServerMonitor ? robust, efficient and trustworthy In a review on About.com: Business Security, Ryan Groom says GFI NetworkServerMonitor™ is easy to install and requires minimum supervision and he likes the way testing is carried out by the product itself rather than relying on “the contents of the Event Viewer”. Overall, he says that GFI NetworkServerMonitor “provides a robust, efficient and trustworthy solution. Well worth the purchase”. - About.com, May 2008
	The right tool for the job In a review of GFI NetworkServerMonitor™ on TechRepublic, Paul Mah describes the product as easy to set up and a mature product that just works. He says GFI “has a done a pretty good job of anticipating the most common kind of options”, although the cost might be an issue for some. - TechRepublic, February 2008
	Simple to get up and running In a review in Techworld, David Cartwright describes GFI NetworkServerMonitor™ as a general and “attractive server monitoring tool that does most of what the average SME needs”. He also liked the fact that you do need RTFM to get it working, the product has Linux-specific support for monitored servers included and that it is attractively priced. - Techworld, July 2007