New GFI Network Server Monitor 6 Checks Terminal Server and Linux Too

Market Wire, February, 2005

GFI has released GFI Network Server Monitor 6, a major upgrade over version 5, complete with a totally new interface that makes configuration easy and efficient. The new interface has been designed to allow network administrators to be up and running in half an hour! This is in stark contrast with, for example, Microsoft MOM, which requires training before one can actually start using it properly. GFI Network Server Monitor's ability to check service availability by actually simulating a real service request (such as an actual terminal server login) and its Linux support sets it apart from other network monitoring products.

Enables administrators to monitor Linux servers too

GFI Network Server Monitor includes extensive checks for monitoring Linux servers. Administrators 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.

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).

New configuration interface

Version 6 includes a brand-new configuration interface that has been completely reprogrammed in .NET. This now allows for checks to be organized into folders and for the checks to inherit folder properties such as notifications, maintenance times, dependencies and more. This greatly eases the configuration burden for the administrator.

New quick start wizard

GFI Network Server Monitor 6 includes a monitoring check wizard that can automatically create a whole set of checks for an organization's important servers in just a few quick steps. The product is easy to understand: Administrators can install and configure it to suit their network requirements in the least time possible, rather than having to undergo training as is the case with Microsoft MOM.

Performs a real test, rather than deducing status from events generated by the service!

GFI Network Server Monitor actually tests the status of a service, rather than deducing the status of a service from generated events (as some other products do). This is the only real way to ensure server up time! It also makes the product both easier to understand and maintain, as well as resulting in greater reliability in its monitoring.

"Version 6 will make its mark on the network and server monitoring sphere not only because of its ease of use and flexibility, but also because it performs the actual tests that an administrator would do to verify the status of his servers -- such as actually performing a physical login/logoff operation on a target terminal server -- rather than basing its results on generated event log entries or detected open ports," said Andre Muscat, Product Manager at GFI. "Coupled with this, GFI Network Server Monitor now also includes extensive Linux/Unix support and can monitor Linux machines via its in-built checks and through SSH scripts."

Other new features

The new version also introduces features such as:

--  Accommodating employee shifts: GFI Network Server Monitor can notify
    different people depending on the time at which the check triggered an
    alert.
--  Ability to create one's own network monitoring reports using MS SQL
    Reporting Services or Crystal Reports.
--  Integration of a number of useful network tools, including: Enumerate
    computers, enumerate processes -- local and remote, DNS lookup, whois,
    traceroute, SNMP audit, and SNMP walk.
    

A complete list of features is available at http://kbase.gfi.com/showarticle.asp?id=KBID002284.

About GFI Network Server Monitor

GFI Network Server Monitor is a monitoring tool that allows administrators to monitor the network for failures or irregularities automatically. With GFI Network Server Monitor, administrators can identify issues and fix unexpected conditions before their users report them. GFI Network Server Monitor maximizes network availability by monitoring all aspects of a network's servers (including UNIX/LINUX servers), workstations and devices (routers, etc.). When it detects a failure, GFI Network Server Monitor can alert the administrator by email, pager or SMS, as well as taking corrective action by, for example, rebooting the machine, restarting the service or running a script. Any amount of rules can be configured and each can be customized to suit one's needs and network set-up. GFI Network Server Monitor is easy to set up and use, and is competitively priced: Pricing begins at US$499 to monitor ten servers. More product information and a trial version are available at http://www.gfi.com/nsm/.

About GFI

GFI is a leading provider of network security, content security and messaging software. Key products include the GFI FAXmaker fax connector for Exchange and SMTP mail servers; GFI MailSecurity email content/exploit checking and anti-virus software; GFI MailEssentials server-based anti-spam software; GFI MailArchiver an email archiving solution; GFI LANguard Network Security Scanner (N.S.S.) security scanning and patch management software; GFI Network Server Monitor that automatically sends alerts, and corrects network and server issues; GFI LANguard Security Event Log Monitor (S.E.L.M.) that performs event log based intrusion detection and network-wide event log management; and GFI LANguard Portable Storage Control that enables network-wide control of removable media. Clients include Microsoft, Telstra, Time Warner Cable, NASA, DHL, Caterpillar, BMW, the US IRS, and the USAF. GFI has offices in the US, the UK, Germany, Cyprus, Romania, Australia and Malta, and operates through a worldwide network of distributors. GFI is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and has won the Microsoft Fusion (GEM) Packaged Application Partner of the Year award.