What is Syslog: Things You Need To Consider

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In today’s complex IT environments, effective logging and monitoring are critical for maintaining system integrity and security. Syslog, a foundational tool in centralized logging, enables organizations to log system messages and events across devices and applications. By transmitting log messages to a centralized syslog server, Syslog simplifies log management, allowing organizations to store, analyze, and act on important data efficiently.

 

What is Syslog?

Syslog is a standardized protocol for collecting and managing system messages in networked environments. It enables log data transmission from various devices and applications to a centralized server for efficient management and analysis.

 

History of Syslog

Syslog was developed in the 1980s by Eric Allman as part of the Sendmail project, which was a widely used mail transfer agent in Unix systems. It quickly became a de facto standard for centralized logging due to its simplicity and effectiveness in capturing log messages from various sources.

The protocol was not formally standardized until 2001 when the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) published RFC 3164, known as “BSD syslog.” This document outlined the basic structure and transport methods for syslog messages. In 2009, RFC 5424 superseded RFC 3164, introducing enhancements such as ISO-8601 timestamps, structured data fields, and support for UTF-8 encoding.

Initially, syslog messages were transmitted using User Datagram Protocol (UDP), which is fast but does not guarantee delivery. Over time, support for Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Reliable Event Logging Protocol (RELP) was added to ensure more reliable message delivery. Modern implementations also support TLS encryption for secure transmission of log data.

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How to Monitor Linux Servers: Top Effective Techniques and Tools

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Did you know that when the server downtime is not monitored, this can cost businesses thousands of dollars every minute? Monitoring Linux servers isn’t just a best practice; it’s an operational necessity. Linux server management is important for maintaining optimal performance and ensuring uptime, especially in the context of cloud monitoring and containerized environments. Effective monitoring tools are crucial for system administrators and DevOps professionals to proactively manage server performance, security, and resource utilization.

This article delves into the fundamental Linux performance monitoring methods and tools that showed themselves as efficient for server monitoring.

 

Understanding ICMP Ping Monitoring

ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) ping monitoring is a fundamental technique for assessing the availability of a host over a network. By sending ICMP Echo Request packets to a designated host and waiting for Echo Reply packets, administrators can determine whether a server is reachable. This method is particularly useful in Linux network monitoring, as it provides a quick check on the status of Linux servers and other devices. 

Benefits of ICMP Ping Monitoring

  • Fast Availability Checks: ICMP ping is one of the quickest methods to ascertain if a server is online, making it a staple in network performance monitoring. For instance, a data center can use ICMP monitoring to quickly detect network outages and ensure connectivity for mission-critical applications.
  • Basic Diagnostic Tool: It helps identify issues in network traffic and intermediate network nodes, required for network management.
  • Agentless Monitoring: Suitable for environments where installing agents is not feasible, enabling monitoring of any Linux distribution.

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Understanding CCTV: A Quick Guide to Closed Circuit Television

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In an environment characterized by evolving security challenges, CCTV (full form—Closed Circuit Television) serves as a fundamental component of modern surveillance infrastructure. 

It goes beyond cameras and screens; it operates as an integrated framework that captures and interprets real-time activities, thereby bolstering safety.

To truly understand CCTV technology, one must dissect its essential components: the mechanics of camera operation, the strategies for video footage storage, and the broader implications of its application in diverse scenarios. This guide offers a detailed examination of CCTV’s functionalities and its critical role in modern security architectures.

What is CCTV?

The CCTV meaning goes far beyond just a camera. It is a system of interconnected cameras that captures video in designated areas, enabling real-time monitoring. Unlike conventional broadcast television, which is public space, CCTV video footage remains private, accessible only to authorized personnel.

The importance of “Closed Circuit”

The term “closed circuit” indicates that video signals are transmitted within a secure network, preventing unauthorized access. This configuration has several critical implications for security: More

What is Server Monitoring? A Beginner’s Guide

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In our technology-advanced time, servers are the backbone of IT infrastructure, powering everything from websites to databases and communication systems. Their significant role demands a robust oversight mechanism—this is where server monitoring comes in.

What Is Server Monitoring

Server monitoring encompasses continuous tracking of the performance and the health of servers. By gathering data on essential metrics like CPU usage, memory consumption, disk space, and server network monitoring, IT specialists gain a deep vision into server operations. This knowledge allows them to spot potential issues before they escalate, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.

Why Server Monitoring Matters

Even minor disruptions can lead to downtime, data loss, and a poor user experience. Efficient monitoring is mission-critical. Let’s see why:

  • Preventing Downtime: 98% of organizations report that a single hour of downtime can cost over $100,000. On October 4, 2021, Facebook experienced a seven-hour outage that resulted in an estimated revenue loss of $79 million from advertising alone. Proactive monitoring helps prevent failures before they impact operations.
  • Optimizing Resources: By keeping an eye on server performance, businesses can better use their resources, ensuring attention to issues where it is much needed.
  • Meeting SLAs: Server monitoring helps organizations adhere to service level agreements (SLAs), maintaining high availability and reliability for users.
  • Improving Customer Experience: Downtime can severely damage customer perception. Research shows that 89% of customers will switch to a competitor after a poor experience, showcasing the long-term impact on customer retention and loyalty.

Effective server monitoring not only safeguards against disruptions, but also enhances operational efficiency and boosts productivity. By investing in robust monitoring solutions, organizations can protect their reputation and offer a seamless experience to users.

Best Practices for Server Monitoring

If done right, the server monitoring helps in maintaining optimal performance and reliability in an organization’s IT infrastructure. Implementing best practices means that efforts are comprehensive, proactive, and aligned with organizational goals. Make sure, you conduct these activities:

1. Hardware Checks

  • Regular monitoring helps prevent overheating by ensuring that cooling systems are functioning properly.
  • Keeping track of CPU usage allows administrators to identify bottlenecks and optimize resource allocation.
  • Monitoring disk space is important to prevent outages caused by full storage.

2. Software Monitoring

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Geomap and the SSH script alert reaction in the new LANState Pro 10.4

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In the new version of the network administration and monitoring tool 10-Strike LANState Pro 10.4, we have added the ability to place host markers on the Open Street Map (OSM) geomap, bind them to addresses, and perform certain actions with them via the context menu. The geomap allows you to monitor the status of hosts, quickly determining where exactly the equipment failure occurred. The map is easily scaled and moved with the mouse along with the host markers.geo map with host markers - host network monitoring

The geomap can be displayed either in a separate window or embedded in the main one. In the first case, the window with the map can be dragged to a separate screen – it will not interfere with the work with the program in the main window.

In addition, a new reaction to the check result has been added to the program. Now you can execute SSH scripts in response to failure alerts (this also works for receiving SNMP trap and Syslog messages). You can enable the execution of bash scripts and commands via SSH on the Execute script tab of the notifications section in the monitoring check properties. More

Map editor in web interface, Netflow dashboard, IPFIX support, new actions, and Firebird 5 in the big update of 10-Strike Network Monitor Pro 8.0

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We planned to release another update of the network monitoring program before the New Year holidays. However, we thought about it and decided to include more new features, which we are sure you will appreciate. One of them is a map editor in the web interface application! We made the same editor as in the desktop console. Well, almost the same. Of course, in terms of capabilities, it does not yet reach the level of a full-fledged one, but we are constantly working on it. Now you can add new areas, hosts to the map and connect them with lines. And, of course, move objects, resize, and delete them.

network map editing in the web UI

 

We also worked on the Netflow engine, drawing attention to the fact that we poorly use the accumulated statistics. We corrected it: now the program draws a bunch of new graphs and diagrams on the traffic statistics.

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Geographic map (geomap) in the new version 7.6 of 10-Strike Network Monitor Pro

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The new version of the program for monitoring video surveillance systems, servers, and network equipment 10-Strike Network Monitor 7.6 again has got a lot of new functionality. We are happy to please you with an interactive geo-map based on the Open Street Map platform, on which you can now place the host icons! We also added the ability to monitor devices with dynamic addresses and updated the library for working with motherboard sensors – now the program supports a large number of new equipment for monitoring the CPU temperature, fan speeds, etc.

Let’s review in details about all this.

 

Place hosts on the geographic map

The program could place host markers on a city map, but we used raster backgrounds for this. The icons could not be tied to specific street addresses so that they would not move when the map was enlarged. With the new geomap feature, this problem is solved now. The interactive Open Street Map now allows you to place host markers that are assigned to geographic coordinates or addresses.

place host icons on a geographic map for monitoring
Image: Place hosts on a geographic map for monitoring

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Create a failover cluster of monitoring servers, search for new devices on the network, and monitor the Linux performance metrics in the new version 7.5 of 10-Strike Network Monitor Pro

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We are breaking into spring with a new version of the program for monitoring video surveillance systems, servers and network equipment Network Monitor 7.5! Lots of improvements – both small and large. The most important thing is that we made a background search for new devices, added the ability to operate the program in a failover cluster, and added the new check of “Linux Metrics”. We tell you more about the main innovations.

Search for new devices

Finding new hosts on the network has become much easier. You don’t need to manually launch the scanner each time – the built-in task scheduler will do it automatically and completely unnoticed. Network scanning is performed by the monitoring server in the background. In case of detection of new addresses, the program notifies in several ways, as when performing checks. And if the graphical console is running at the time of notification, you will receive a message from which you can immediately go to the list of found hosts and add them to the monitoring database.

Search for new devices is implemented as one of the Scheduler tasks – look for this function there. For ease of configuration, we have moved it to a separate button on the main toolbar. To enable this task, you need to configure scanning parameters (range, methods, logins), notifications and launch interval.

Backup monitoring server for a failover cluster of monitoring servers

We have already made it possible to quickly reconnect the monitoring server to the backup database server if it fails. But what if the monitoring server itself fails? We have provided for this and made it possible for two monitoring servers with the same ID to work in the same network simultaneously without conflicts (in the version Pro that supports multiple monitoring servers). More

Turn computers on and off on a schedule and view surveillance cameras in the new version of LANState Pro 10.2

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In the new version 10.2 of LANState – the network management and monitoring program, we have added a built-in task scheduler that performs various useful functions on a schedule. We have also added a search for cameras in the local network via ONVIF and implemented the ability to open the RTSP video stream directly from the graphic network map. Let’s review the new features in details.

Task Scheduler

We have long been asked to add a function for turning on and off network computers on a schedule, so we have finally done it. And not only that. In the new scheduler, you can now run individual monitoring checks or all the checks of some hosts, generate and send various reports by e-mail in the CSV format, and make backup copies of your network maps. In the future, we will add more new tasks.

The task scheduler allows you to set up a flexible schedule for each task. Reports are generated for individual hosts as well as for all hosts on all opened maps. To turn off computers, simply specify a list of addresses and authorization parameters for remote access. Computers with the Wake-On-LAN support can be turned on using a list of MAC addresses.

Search for CCTV cameras by ONVIF

The ONVIF standard is supported by a large number of modern video cameras from various manufacturers. With the help of special requests, cameras can be easily detected in the local network, so the program can obtain the detailed information about them, including an RTSP link (URL) to the video stream. More

Increase fault tolerance with the new version of 10-Strike Network Monitor Pro 7.4

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We have another big update of 10-Strike Network Monitor Pro v7.4 – the program for monitoring video surveillance systems, servers, and network equipment. And traditionally, we added many new useful functions, ideas for which we get from communication with our users. In this review, we will try to briefly tell you how this version differs from the previous one, and why we recommend switching to it.

Fault tolerance

Let’s start with the most important thing: in the v7.4, much attention was paid to the fault tolerance of our software. 10-Strike Network Monitor Pro has a distributed architecture, so the software components can be installed on different physical servers. The failure of one of the nodes led to the stop of the entire monitoring system and the loss of host polling data. We are solving this problem and have already achieved certain success.

Firstly, it is now possible to automatically switch monitoring servers to a backup database if the main one becomes unavailable. The address of the backup server, on which a copy of the monitoring database is stored and the DBMS is installed, is specified in the connection settings of each monitoring server.

database server connection settings for the cluster monitoring mode

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