Why Is Server Monitoring Important? (Key Server Metrics Explained)

Servers act as the core of many services and applications within organizations and play a critical role in the efficiency of information systems. If you want to learn more about the definition and types of servers, read the article "What is a Server?". By monitoring performance and efficiency indicators of servers, one can ensure their proper operation. In this article, we first define server monitoring and then discuss the importance of monitoring servers and their key indicators. Finally, we introduce Moein and the monitorable servers in Moein, and provide more details on the physical servers that can be monitored on the Moein monitoring platform.

What is Server Monitoring?

Server monitoring is a process that involves collecting various data from the server, analyzing and comparing this data with defined thresholds, sending notifications if the data does not match normal thresholds, and taking action to resolve the issue. This process should be carried out continuously to ensure the health and performance of the servers.

Why is Server Monitoring Important?

The importance of server monitoring can be examined from several aspects, some of which are highlighted in this text.

Prevention of Problems and Reduction of Downtime

One of the most important reasons for server monitoring is to prevent problems and reduce downtime. By continuously monitoring servers, potential disruptions can be identified and resolved before they cause issues. If a disruption does lead to server downtime, it can be quickly detected and fixed.

Improving Performance and Efficiency

System administrators can analyze data collected from server monitoring to identify performance bottlenecks and weaknesses. By optimizing these areas, the overall performance of the servers can be improved.

Resource Management

Server monitoring allows for precise tracking and better management of various server resources such as CPU, memory, disk space, and bandwidth. Efficient resource management reduces costs and enhances performance.

Enhancing Service Quality and User Satisfaction

Organizations can improve their service quality by monitoring their servers, which leads to increased user satisfaction.

Introducing Moein, the Iranian Server Monitoring Tool

The Moein monitoring platform is the only indigenous Iranian network and infrastructure monitoring software, competing robustly and superiorly with foreign counterparts in high-scale environments, and also meeting security requirements with AFTA certificat. This platform monitors the infrastructure and IT services of organizations at three levels: computing infrastructure, application infrastructure, and business applications. The Moein monitoring platform aims for comprehensive and integrated monitoring within organizations, incorporating enterprise features and supporting various brands and technologies. For more information, you can download the Moein catalog.

Monitoring Capabilities of Various Servers on the Moein Platform

As mentioned in the "What is a Server?" article, when we talk about a server, we often think of a network-connected computer in a room or data center. However, in the IT world, the term "server" also refers to virtual machines, server operating systems, and even applications available over a network that provide a service. In this article, it was noted that servers can be categorized into four types, and the Moein monitoring platform can monitor a variety of servers in all these categories:

Monitoring Software Servers

On the Moein monitoring platform, web servers such as Nginx, Apache HTTP Server, IIS Server, and IBM HTTP Server are currently monitorable using REST and WMI protocols. Application servers like JBoss, IBM WebSphere, Oracle WebLogic, and databases like DB2, Hazelcast, Oracle, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL are monitored using JDBC, JMX protocols, and email servers like Microsoft Exchange, Axigen, and Postfix are monitored using SNMP.

Monitoring Operating System Servers

On the Moein monitoring platform, operating systems from the Windows and Linux families can be monitored using SNMP, and the z/OS operating system can be monitored using the RMF protocol.

Monitoring Virtual Servers

Virtual servers can be monitored using virtualization tools, and virtualization tools like Docker, VCenter, and ESXi are currently monitorable on Moein using REST protocol.

Monitoring Physical Servers

Moein currently can communicate with Cisco UCS using REST protocol, and with HPE Blade Server, HPE Server, and IBM Blade Server using SNMP protocol to monitor them. You can read the list of monitorable indicators for each physical server by clicking on their names. Additionally, you can see the details of network devices monitoring in Moein by clicking on this link.

Key Indicators in Monitoring Physical Servers

Given that "server" generally refers to physical rack-mounted or blade servers used in data centers or server rooms, this section delves into more details about the physical servers that can be monitored on the Moein monitoring platform. The key indicators in monitoring physical servers are generally similar, though each type of server may have specific metrics depending on its resources. In this section, we examine the resources of four types of physical servers (two rack-mounted and two blade servers).

Cisco UCS

In Cisco UCS, there are various components such as chassis, Fabric Interconnect, Fabric Extenders, IO Module, and fans, each with its own set of indicators. For example:

• Chassis: Configuration status, power status, temperature status, and operational status.
• Fabric Extenders: Temperature and operational status.
• These indicators need to be monitored using appropriate tools and software.

HPE Blade Server

Blade

• Power Module
• Fan Module
• Switch Module
• Management Module

Each of these resources has specific metrics that need monitoring. In HPE Server, resources include:

• Network Interface
• Processor
• Memory
• Disk Array Controller
• Disk Drive
• Fan

You can read more about monitoring these two servers in the article on HPE server monitoring.

IBM BladeCenter

In IBM BladeCenter, there are resources such as:

• Blade
• Memory
• Storage
• Switch Module
• Power Domain
• Power Module

Specific indicators for these resources include:

• Blade (or blade server): KVM light, information light, error light, MT owner and average power consumption.
• Power Domain Module: Power consumption, minimum and maximum power consumption, first power slot, and module status.

These indicators are essential for ensuring the optimal performance and reliability of the servers and need to be continuously monitored.