The main objective of the system administrator in an organization operating a fleet of computer maintenance and network equipment in working condition. And this problem is difficult to solve without constant monitoring hosts on the network. Under the host is usually described as any device with network interface and connected to a network: a computer, server, switch, network printer, etc. Monitoring hosts is usually in Periodic functional testing of certain services, ports and protocols. The most common way – sending special ICMP requests and waiting for the response to them (ping). One of the critical parameters to be monitored – response time of the device. It allows us to estimate utilization of the device and the communication channels. Ways of monitoring host can be any number and their choice depends on the tasks performed by the device.
For example, to web-server can be used by operation http-protocol to the switch – reading and analysis of options for SNMP, and so on. What also helps the system administrator to monitor hosts and why it is necessary to carry out its on a regular basis: 1. Reduction of production costs in IT. Monitoring hosts minimizes the time required to identify the problem and, therefore, allows organizations to save money. 2. Increase productivity.
Automatic monitoring of the hosts can depart from the usual for someone to manually verify that the network device. This allows the system administrators save time and spend it on more important issues, such as improving network performance, introduction of new software to enhance information security companies, etc. 3. Increasing customer loyalty. Customers do not go away just because a single negative experience with the service. Typically, a user refuses to use the services because of the constant disruptions of service. It is therefore important in the minimum time to eliminate not only major damage, but minor delays. Monitor network hosts will increase system stability and increase "the percentage of trust" your customers to you. 4. Planning upgrade the network infrastructure to increase bandwidth. With continuous monitoring using the host response time, you can identify bottlenecks in the network, locate faulty equipment and time to replace it. The article lists only some aspects of monitoring hosts. As it is evident that this procedure is an integral part of the technical staff of IT companies any scale. Summing up some, I would say that pre-emption, prevention, timely response to problems of network equipment can save time and hassle of employees and protects against loss profits and customers.