Monitoring a computer

[Bozo]

If you wanted to monitor a computer to make sure that is on line and functioning, what would yo monitor.
You can use the 'ping' command to see if a computer is alive and responding, but what if a program crashed or locked up? Is there a 'heartbeat' in the OS that can be monitored.

Thanks
Bozo :joker:

 

[ddrueding]

So you are looking for a way to monitor the status of a program? All programs? The OS in general? What OS are you using?

 

[Bozo]

I will have two computers. Both running Server 2003 x64 and two installs of XP Pro running virtualized. One computer is "live" the other is running but all of the NICs disabled, except for a cross-over cable. I want to monitor the "live" computer and turn on the NICs on the standby computer if the "live" computer fails. I can do this now with a ping program, but I could have other problems with the "live" computer and the 'ping' would still work.
I am using a program called "Server Alive", free version. It can monitor a lot of different points, but which one to use??
I believe I can monitor multiple ponts on the same computer with Server Alive.
I am still learning about Server Alive, and it is only on a test settup at the moment.

Thanks,
Bozo :joker:

 

[ddrueding]

Interesting configuration. I assume this is for fail-over?

I was going to suggest that you remotely connect to the performance monitor MMC and track it for irregularities, or the task manager for the existence of certain processes. I'm not sure if that program supports that kind of thing.

 

[timwhit]

What's the specific service or services that need to be running?

If it's a web server you could open a specific file or files on the web server and if you get a 200 back then you know the web server is running. What'sUpGold can do this for you and generate emails, phone calls, pages, etc if something is down. It might be able to do other things also.

If it's a file server you could check to see if you can access a specific file and open it.

But, I have no idea what the server's purpose is so I can't give you any more specific ideas.

 

[Bozo]

Thanks for your replies and suggestions!
Yes it is for fail-over.
The server will be running custom software, wrote in-house. Right now we are debating whether to have SQL Server running on this server or on a separate box. All of this is in the idea/discuss/test stage.

Bozo :joker: