I would like to monitor event logs on multiple windows machines – maybe ping them every so often? I used to use something called Emon but it seems pretty outdated. I looked at bigBrother but it seems too expensive.Do you have a solution?
Have you heard of VMWare??
If you are game then keep on reading… It used to be restricted to linux boxes but now you can get your Virtualization on – Windows style as well.
I have played with a few of these in the past, but if you’re managing a decent sized infrastructure you might want to try them. These are VMWare virtual appliances, I will write something on them at a later date, but basically they work with VMWare’s free software(they have a player and a server product, both free).
You download these packaged virtual appliances, boot them up and they just go! Of course you want to follow the directions provided…
But lets be honest most IT people are guys, and what self respecting guy really reads directions anyway?!?
Here are a couple of the network monitoring appliances that I have tried at some point. They all have their strong points and weak points. They all take some time and effort to get your network configured in it. But the rewards are pretty nice!
Without further ado, here are some linky links:
- Unnoc
- Network Management Station
- Zabbix – I liked this one the best
- BaywatchOS – I always thought Nicole Eggert was better looking than Pam Anderson
- You Can Search Here for more virtual appliances…
Feel free to dig into these. Download them and the VMWare player and give them a go. Don’t be shy…one of the glorious things about the VMWare appliances is that you cannot mess up your PC/Laptop by using them as it is segregated from the OS and the hardware, but again…more on that at a later date.
Do you use VMWare? Or how about Microsoft’s Virtual PC 2007? Let’s here it in the comments guys! Sound off.
-
Flickr Photos
More Photos
-
Recent Comments
February 18, 2008 at 8:27 pm
@Annon – now with PC Support!
February 19, 2008 at 2:03 am
If all you need is event log monitoring, check out this script from Redmond Magazine.
http://redmondmag.com/columns/article.asp?editorialsID=1653
It collects event log entries from all your machines, compiles them into a need HTML report and emails them to you.
I set up a scheduled task to have it send me the report every morning.
If you want full network monitoring check out JFFNMS.
http://www.asktheadmin.com/2007/09/how-can-you-monitor-overall-status-and.html
February 19, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I just staqrted trying out some virtualizations tools. I had Virtual PC working running an Ubuntu installation. But there was no networking support (at least none taht i can figure out). VMWare takes the cake here because i have it running an Ubuntu 7.10 installation with full network support. I will definitely be trying out some of these VMWare appliances, but for now i have ubuntu running pretty solid in a window and I’m mucho happy about it. Ubuntu will be my segregated torrent downloader and encoder. All cuz the Admin told me so!
February 19, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Commodore – Check out this post for tips on getting Ubuntu running under Virtual PC.
FWIW my networking worked without any modification. It was the video and mouse I had trouble with.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToConfigureUbuntuForMicrosoftVirtualPC2004
February 19, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Great link PD!
February 20, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Since no one answered your question directly, you should take a look at WebWatchBot which can monitor both event logs and ping your servers. Good luck.
February 20, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Timmy is it FREE???
February 20, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Very not free! OUCH!
WebWatchBot v5.0 Enterprise $1,295.95
WebWatchBot v5.0 Professional $495.95
Timmy can you justify that over free software? Is there something that stands out about this product??
February 21, 2008 at 5:06 am
there are a couple that I can think of, one great one being network stumbler, also here is a link to our tools page where we have a link to nirsoft and they have a ton of great tools, we also have a few network tools as well.
Network Tools