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. With GFI Network Server Monitor, you can identify problems and fix unexpected conditions before your users (or managers) report them to you!

GFI Network Server Monitor maximizes network availability by monitoring all aspects of your servers (including UNIX/LINUX servers), workstations and devices (routers, etc.). When it detects a failure, GFI Network Server Monitor can alert you by email, pager or SMS, as well as take corrective action by, for example, rebooting the computer, restarting a service or running a script or external file. GFI Network Server Monitor can also choose the type of alert to be used, depending on the time that an important event (e.g., check failure) occurs, and also in relation to the working hours you specify during the setup of the intended recipients.

In GFI Network Server Monitor, monitoring checks are created using wizards. A wizard called the Quick Start Wizard, which can create a batch of checks, has also been included. This wizard enables you to quickly create a number of checks at one go - depending on computer OS, role, etc - making it possible for GFI Network Server Monitor to be up and running in the least time possible.

In GFI Network Server Monitor all monitoring checks are organised in folders. You can configure each monitoring check individually or you can choose to configure all the checks in a folder simultaneously through property inheritance. Property Inheritance allows you to set up important check parameters (such as target computer) within the folder properties and have these parameters passed on to the checks contained in that folder.

GFI Network Server Monitor also supports nested folders. This allows for greater flexibility when creating monitoring checks structures that reflect the network layout you are monitoring (by zone, companies being served as well as check function).