Monitoring server
Whether you’re an IT professional monitoring server efficiency or just are looking to monitor the traffic on your home network or server, obtaining the right software can make all the difference. Beyond just speed and efficiency, you will surely also want to protect and monitor your server from incoming security threats that could cripple your infrastructure, causing ripple effects throughout your company. Today we will look at a few of the most important features to consider when shopping around for the server monitoring software that fits your needs and aligns with your goals.
One of the more important features that much software in today’s marketplace does offer is the ability to set up custom alerts for monitoring server speed and security. Monitoring the bandwidth on your server (or servers) for example can make the difference between a fast connection and string of transactions and one that will bring your company to a halt. By having alerts setup within the software’s dashboard, you can set them to receive a notification, often via email or even text, anytime the bandwidth is spreading thin and needs addressed. Another great reason to have a notification system in place is for security reasons. Let’s say for example your server is being hacked and you are out of the office. Much software offer the ability to set up a safety net of sorts to trigger an alert anytime there is a string of activity that warrants it. As with most problems in the IT world, the sooner you can identify and address them issues regarding monitoring server functionality, the less damage that is ultimately done.
Another feature that will ultimately prove to be worthy of considering, is the overall feel and “ease of use” of the main dashboard and feature functionality. As is the case with most software you will purchase, the ability to pick it up quickly and avoid a steep learning curve will pay dividends as you start using the software daily, and ultimately trust it with protecting your company’s valuable information and efficiency metrics. The user interface or main dashboard of your software will be directly responsible of tracking the minute to minute health of your server and network so it’s important it’s presented in an easy to read format and one that you can pick up quickly. The faster you learn the software, the faster you can sleep easy at night knowing that monitoring server efficiency and security is in check. Visualization graphics, such as charts and graphs that auto populate from real-time server metrics can be a good tool especially for the less experienced members of your team in easily identifying issues or patterns that may lead to issues.
Growing in popularity yet often overlooked, is the ability to access server information and security details from a cloud based system. With so many professionals now working remote or constantly on the go, it’s a valuable tool to be able to access important server-related information remotely by logging into a cloud based system. A cloud feature will also allow for your security settings and predetermined alerts to be safely stored remotely in case of a disaster at your home office where the servers are located.
Once you confirm the software you are considering is compatible with your operating system and other tools in your IT arsenal, it is always a good idea to consider a demo or trial version to see if the software is one you can pick up easily. While we consider the features mentioned above as some of the most important to consider, it’s important to consider the scope of your department’s needs and align them with the proper software that will make monitoring server functionality a seamless and flawless process.