Re: Open Source / Low Cost NMS for Server Hardware / Application Monitoring

[Brent Jones <brent () servuhome net>]

On Wed, Jul 22, 2009 at 11:08 AM, Matthew Huff<mhuff () ox com> wrote:
> I apologize for not starting a new thread before, I didn't realize that the nanog mailing list created a thread-index 
> rather than using the subject.
>
> Even though NANOG is primarily for network operators, I know that a number of members work in NOCs where there is 
> also monitoring of servers/applications. I would appreciate it if anyone has suggestions about monitoring systems 
> that would be applicable to our environment. We have a large number of custom applications on a large number of hosts 
> including Windows 2003/2008, Linux x86/x86_64 and Solaris Sparc/x86_64. We are looking for a better way of monitoring 
> our environment. We are looking for recommendations for opensource or low-cost. We would prefer solutions where the 
> basic monitoring is ready out of the box. Native agents with custom scripting would be highly desired (rather than 
> SNMP/DMI/WMI polling).
>
> Some of our requirements:
>
> .       Native agents for Windows 2003/2008, Linux, Linux x86_64, Solaris Sparc and Solaris x86_64. Either binaries 
> or source code.
> .       Ability to send alerts via email, pager and/or snmp
> .       Monitoring of OS properties like memory, disk, cpu, etc...
> .       Ability to extend agents with scripting to allow monitoring of custom services
> .       Plug-in architecture for third-party add-ons
> .       Reliable Architecture
> .       Reasonable user interface
> .       Non-blocking polling
> .       Active Project (New Releases on regular basis and have existed for a reasonable period)
>
> Based on our research and feedback from NANOG, we have put a preliminary list of product to evaluate:
>
> Hyperic         http://www.hyperic.com/
> OpenNMS         http://www.opennms.org/wiki/Main_Page
> opsview         http://www.opsview.org/
> osimius         http://www.osmius.net/en/
> PandoraFMS              http://pandorafms.org/
> Zabbix          http://www.zabbix.com/
> Groundwork              http://www.groundworkopensource.com/
> Nagios          http://www.nagios.org
> Zenoss          http://zenoss.com
> OpManager               http://www.manageengine.com
> Orion                   http://www.solarwinds.com/products/orion/
> BigBrother              http://bb4.com/
> Argus                   http://argus.tcp4me.com/
> Xymon                   http://www.xymon.com
> Spiceworks              http://www.spiceworks.com/
> ICINGA          http://www.icinga.org
>
> ----
> Matthew Huff       | One Manhattanville Rd
> OTA Management LLC | Purchase, NY 10577
> http://www.ox.com  | Phone: 914-460-4039
> aim: matthewbhuff  | Fax:   914-460-4139

I use Zabbix and Cacti primarily, but in the same situation - there
has to be better stuff out there.
You listed some that I wasn't familiar with, so I'll try those out.
I did use Hyperic, while it has a lot of features, its bulky UI really
detracts from its abilities.

Wish Zabbix had some more community and developers, has many promising
features, but needs SNMP and IPMI more tightly integrated.

-- 
Brent Jones
brent () servuhome net