To use SMTP e-mail notifications, the GFI Network Server Monitor service must have access to an SMTP server to send out e-mails. It can be any SMTP compliant mail server.
NOTE: Many software products require IIS (Internet Information Server) to support e-mail. GFI Network Server Monitor doesn’t require IIS; it communicates directly with the SMTP server using the SMTP protocol.
GFI Network Server Monitor supports SMTP servers that require SMTP authentication, such as Microsoft Exchange. SMTP AUTH is a protocol that is used to verify that you are one of the users on the SMTP server. GFI Network Server Monitor is RFC 821 and RFC 822 SMTP AUTH compliant.
52 • Configuring Notifications GFI Network Server Monitor Screenshot 45 - Settings for email notifications
E-mail Notifications – Global settings To configure global e-mail notification settings:
1. On the Tools menu, click Notification Setup. The notification settings dialog will appear.
2. Your MUST configure an SMTP mail server. This is the server that will send out the actual notification messages to the recipients. You can specify an IP address (e.g. 10.0.0.1), a host name (e.g.
mail.mydomain.com) or a NetBIOS name (like EXCHANGE01).
3. If your SMTP server requires authentication, click the authentication checkbox and provide a logon and password.
4. Provide Sender E-mail Address (required) and Sender’s Display Name (optional). The recipient will see this name/address as the sender, and all replies will be delivered to this mail account;
5. Configure the Global E-mail Recipient List. This list can be used for all monitor rules. The Global Recipient E-mail List makes configuration easier, because you don’t have to configure a separate list of recipients for each monitor rule; however, it is still possible to configure a separate list for each monitor rule;
GFI Network Server Monitor Configuring Notifications • 53 Screenshot 46 Configure message format and template
6. Click on Format Message to edit the e-mail template and to enable/disable RTF (HTML) formatting.
7. Enable RTF (HTML) formatting to support HTML tags. If you switch on RTF formatting, you must use the <br> tag (or an alternative tag) to insert new lines.
8. To test the E-mail Notification Settings, click on the ‘Test’ button.
The Network Server Monitor Engine will send an E-mail message using the configured settings.
Message Templates will be discussed later in this chapter.
E-mail Notifications – Per Monitor Rule settings
Screenshot 47 - Per rule network and email notification options
54 • Configuring Notifications GFI Network Server Monitor
For each monitor rule, you can make the following configuration settings:
• Notify when server/device goes offline – when the server has a failure, a message is sent. Default: On;
• Notify when server/device goes online – when the server changes to Online status from Offline status, a message is sent. Default:
Off;
• For both Online and Offline status changes, you can choose to use the Global mail Recipient List as configured in the General E-mail Notification Settings, or use a Custom E-E-mail Recipient List.
Network Notifications
Network Notifications are based in the well-known ‘Net Send’ (or
‘NetPopup’) messages which are sent across the network. Only machines that support NetBIOS can send and receive these messages. NetBIOS messages can be sent to users and/or computers.
Screenshot 48 Network Message global settings
Network Notifications – Global settings To configure general network notification settings:
1. On the Tools menu, click Notification Settings and select the Network Messages tab;
GFI Network Server Monitor Configuring Notifications • 55
2. Specify a Global Network Recipient List. This list can be used for all monitor rules. A Global Network Recipient List makes configuration easier, because you don’t have to configure a separate list of recipients for each monitor rule; however, it is still possible to configure a separate list for each monitor rule;
3. Click on Format Message to edit the network message template.
Please read the Message Template section about how to use message templates.
4. To test the Network Notification Settings, use the ‘Send a Test Message’ button. The Network Server Monitor Engine will send an E-mail message using the configured settings.
Network Notifications – Per monitor rule settings For each monitor rule, you can configure the following:
• Notify when server/device goes offline – when the server has a failure, a message is sent. Default: On;
• Notify when server/device goes online – when the server changes to Online status from Offline status, a message is sent. Default:
Off;
• For both Online and Offline status changes, you can choose to use the Global Network Message Recipient List as configured in the General Network Message Notification Settings, or use a Custom Network Message Recipient List.
SMS Notifications
GFI Network Server Monitor can send SMS messages in two ways:
• Through an SMSC (Short Message Service Center). This requires a normal Hayes compatible modem, connected to the server where the Network Monitor Engine is running. When there’s a failure, GFI Network Server Monitor uses the modem to dial-in to the SMSC provider and deliver the actual SMS message(s); Most countries have one or more SMSC service providers.
• Through a GSM phone or GSM modem, connected to the server by serial cable, Infrared or Bluetooth. The GSM phone must be capable of processing AT+C commands (most modern GSM phone do).
56 • Configuring Notifications GFI Network Server Monitor
SMS Notification – Global settings
Screenshot 49 - SMS global settings
To configure global SMS notification settings:
1. On the Tools menu, click Notification Settings and select the SMS/Pager tab;
2. Choose either ‘Send SMS through SMSC provider’ or ‘Send SMS though mobile phone’.
Screenshot 50 - GSM modem settings
3. If you selected to send SMS through a GSM phone or modem, click on configure. This brings up the GSM modem settings dialog. Select the com port on which you have connected the GSM phone or
GFI Network Server Monitor Configuring Notifications • 57
modem. Leave other settings as default, unless you are sure that they need to be changed. Click OK.
Screenshot 51 - SMSC settings
4. If you selected to send SMS via an SMS service provider, click on configure. This brings up the SMSC settings dialog. Now click on
‘Select’ to select your provider. (if your SMS provider is not listed see the section in this chapter about editing SMSC providers) Then configure dial properties: Specify tone or pulse, a dial prefix if required and the number of redial attempts. The Dial-string box will show the exact string that will be dialed. In addition configure the modem settings: Specify com port. Leave initialization string and flow control setting as default, unless you are sure they have to be changed.
5. Specify a Global Network Recipient List. This list can be used for all monitor rules. A Global Network Recipient List makes configuration easier, because you don’t have to configure a separate list of recipients for each monitor rule; however, it is still possible to configure a separate list for each monitor rule;
6. Click on Format Message to edit the network message template.
Please read the Message Template section about how to use message templates.
7. To test the Network Notification Settings, use the ‘Send a Test Message’ button. The Network Server Monitor Engine will send an E-mail message using the configured settings.
NOTE 1: You can turn on modem logging for the Network Monitor Engine. To do so, you must enter a valid file name in the following registry entry:
HKLM\Software\GFI\Network Monitor\ModemLogFile
NOTE 2: SMSC providers request a particular connection speed.
Therefore this is configured in the provider list.
NOTE 3: The required recipient number’s format depends on the provider (when using SMSC) or on GSM (when using local GSM
58 • Configuring Notifications GFI Network Server Monitor
phone). You must do some trial and error to find out the right format.
For example, if you live in the UK (+44), you should try:
12345678 4412345678 004412345678
SMS Notification Settings - Monitor Rule
Screenshot 52 - Per rule SMS notification settings
For each monitor rule, you can configure the following:
• Notify when server/device goes offline – when the server has a failure, a message is sent. Default: On;
• Notify when server/device goes online – when the server changes to Online status from Offline status, a message is sent. Default:
Off;
• For both Online and Offline status changes, you can choose to use the Global SMS Recipient List as configured in the General SMS Notification Settings, or use a Custom SMS Recipient List.
Creating/Editing SMSC providers
Note: This section is only applicable for advanced users. We can not guarantee that GFI Network Server Monitor will work with any SMS provider. Ensure that you obtain the correct information from your SMS service provider first.
GFI Network Server Monitor Configuring Notifications • 59 Screenshot 53 - The SMS provider list
GFI Network Server Monitor includes an extensive list of SMS service providers. However, it maybe necessary to change the SMS service provider settings from time to time, or it maybe that the SMS service provider that you wish to use is not listed. In this case you have to add/edit an SMSC provider entry.
To add/edit an SMSC provider:
1. Select Tools > Notification settings and go to the global SMS notifications tab
2. Click on the Configure button in the ‘Send SMS via SMS service provider section’
3. Click on the ‘Select’ button next to the provider section. This brings up the SMSC provider list.
Screenshot 54 - Editing/Adding an SMS provider
4. Click on Add or Edit to Add/Edit an SMSC entry. Specify the following settings:
• Country: Specify the country of the provider
• Provider: Specify the provider name
• Dial-in number: Specify the number to which the modem must dial.
60 • Configuring Notifications GFI Network Server Monitor
• Data format: Specify the data format. Obtain this from your service provider.
• Speed: Specify the speed at which the data must be sent.
Obtain this number from your SMS service provider.
• Protocol: Choose between the TAP (Telecator Alphanumeric Protocol ) and UCP (Universal Computer Protocol). TAP is the more used protocol, although you should ask your SMS service provider which protocol they use.
• Optionally you can specify a password and any comments 5. Click OK to add the service provider.
Message Templates
Notification message text can be customized by editing the message templates used by GFI Network Server Monitor. This can be done by clicking on the Format Message button in either the Global Email, Network Message or SMS notification settings tabs.
Screenshot 55 - Editing the SMS message template
Each message template supports the use of variables. Variables are substituted each time a message is sent out. Variables must be enclosed between <% and %> strings, for example: <% DATE %>.
The following variables can be used:
DATE The date the event occurred TIME The time the event occurred
DISPLAYNAME Name of the Monitor Rule (can be changed in the general settings of the rule)
SERVER Name of the server/device that is being checked
RESULT The result of the event
• Success;
• Failure;
• Maintenance;
• On Hold;
• Unknown.
GFI Network Server Monitor Configuring Notifications • 61
OCCURRENCE The occurrence:
• Recovery;
• Failure;
• Maintenance;
• On Hold;
• Unknown.
In most cases, this variable is the same as the RESULT variable. The only exception is when occurrence is ‘Recovery’, in this case the result variable is ‘Success’.
EXPLANATION Detailed description of the result of the event
Message Template Example Example of a message template:
Message from GFI Network Server Monitor , <% DATE %> <%TIME
%>:
Item: <% DISPLAYNAME %>
Result: <% RESULT %>
Explanation: <% EXPLANATION %> Message from GFI Network Server Monitor , <% DATE %> <%TIME %>
NOTE: Using new lines in SMS/Pager Message Templates is NOT recommended. Most GSM phones don’t know how to handle new lines and will display bad characters.
GFI Network Server Monitor Remote web monitor • 63
Remote web monitor
Introduction to the remote web monitor
The remote web monitor allows you to check rule status from anywhere using a web browser. Two types of web page views have been created:
1. A normal view for use with a ‘normal sized’ computer screen 2. A view optimized for mobile device access, such as a mobile
phone, blackberry or other handheld computing device.
To view these reports, you can connect with your web browser to the machine running GFI Network Server Monitor, on port 11694 (this can be changed).
By default, GFI Network Server Monitor includes a small footprint web server, which avoids you having to install and configure IIS to show the GFI Network Server Monitor status screens. This option is fine for intranet access.
However, if you wish to have more advanced security, we do recommend using Microsoft IIS as the web server to show the rule status. Below follows a detailed procedure on how to configure IIS to serve up the rule status pages.
Normal web monitoring page
This page is for use with regular screens and shows detailed information about all the rules currently being monitored and their current state.
The URL to access the normal web monitoring page:
http://<machine name>:11694/index.html
64 • Remote web monitor GFI Network Server Monitor Screenshot 56 - Normal remote monitor view
Mobile/handheld device monitoring page
This page is optimized for viewing from mobile/handheld devices, such as mobile phones, organizers and blackberrys, and thus the view has been made much smaller.
The URL to access the mobile device monitoring page:
http://<machine name>:port/mobile.html
Screenshot 57 - Handheld optimised view
GFI Network Server Monitor Remote web monitor • 65
Configuring the remote web monitor
Screenshot 58 - Enabling remote monitoring
To enable the remote web monitor:
1. Go to the Tools menu in the GFI Network Server Monitor manager and select ‘Remote Monitor’
2. Tick the ‘Enable remote monitoring’ option in the remote monitor dialog.
This will cause the GFI Network Server Monitor service to start logging the rule status to an XML file, from where either the internal web server or IIS can be used to display the data as an HTML page on either a normal screen or on a mobile device screen.
66 • Remote web monitor GFI Network Server Monitor
Using the internal web server
Screenshot 59 - The internal web server
For easy remote monitoring from anywhere on your network, an internal web server has been included, avoiding the need to configure a web server. By default the internal web server is enabled and listens on port 11694.
Before you can start using remote monitoring via the internal web server, you need to create the users that are allowed to view the remote monitor page. To do this, click ‘Add’ and specify user name and password. You can specify up to 100 users.
When you connect to the remote web monitor, you will be asked for these credentials.
Configuring IIS as the web server
Using IIS as the web server gives you more advanced authentication features and the possibility to secure the connection via SSL. The integration with IIS is very straightforward. GFI Network Server Monitor updates an XML file, from which the 2 views are rendered.
These files are stored in the GFI Network Server Monitor\Server\web folder. You need to create a virtual directory in IIS, which points to the GFI Network Server Monitor\Server\Web folder. To do this:
1. Start up Internet Services Manager, right click on the Web Site node, and from the popup menu select New – Virtual Directory.
GFI Network Server Monitor Remote web monitor • 67 Screenshot 60 - Specifying an alias for the virtual directory
2.This will start the Virtual Directory Creation Wizard. Click ‘Next’ to continue. Now you need to enter an alias for the virtual directory. In this case it is nsmremotemonitor, but you can enter whatever name you like, as long as it follows the folder naming conventions used in Microsoft Windows.
Screenshot 61 - Pointing to the GFI NSM web folder
3. Now enter the path where the content is located. Select browse, and select the server\web folder in the GFI Network Server Monitor installation path.
68 • Remote web monitor GFI Network Server Monitor Screenshot 62 - Setting permissions
4. Next we need to set the access permissions. Tick ‘Read’ only. Do not tick any of the other check boxes. Now click ‘Next’ to finish the Virtual Directory Creation Wizard.
5. Right-click on the newly created virtual directory, located under the web root of your web site server and select properties.
Screenshot 63 - Setting Virtual Directory properties
6. In the Virtual Directory tab of the properties dialog, tick the ‘Read’, the ‘Log Visits’ and the ‘Index this resource’ check boxes.
7. Press OK to close the properties dialog. The Virtual Directory has been set-up and you can now test access to it.
GFI Network Server Monitor Remote web monitor • 69
Securing the Remote Monitor
It is important to setup proper authentication and security for this web server and virtual directory. There are three ways to secure the Remote Monitor. These are Basic Authentication, Digest and Integrated Windows Authentication. Integrated Windows Authentication is the preferred choice in an Active Directory environment, because it makes the authentication process seamless, since initially it does not prompt users for their user name or password information. It uses the current Windows user information on the client computer for authentication, instead. If you are installing GFI Network Server Monitor on a DMZ, you must use Basic authentication.
The following steps show how to secure access to the Web based remote monitor.
1. Open up Internet Services Manager. Right click on the NSM Remote Monitor virtual directory under your server web site and select properties.
2. Under the Virtual Directory tab make sure to deselect Directory Browsing.
Screenshot 64 - Specify default document
3. Select the Documents tab and remove all the default documents.
Add the following default document ‘index.html’.
4. Next select the Directory Security tab and click on the Edit button for the Anonymous access and authentication control group.
5. Select Integrated Windows authentication (recommended if installed on the internal network) OR Basic Authentication check box (if installed in the DMZ). Ensure Anonymous access is deselected.
70 • Remote web monitor GFI Network Server Monitor Screenshot 65 - Select authentication method
If using Integrated Windows authentication, then authentication will occur against Active Directory. This means you do not need to configure additional users. If you use basic authentication, authentication will occur against the local user database on the machine. In this case you must create user names and passwords on that local machine. For more information on securing IIS, please review the IIS documentation.
Be sure not to allow anonymous access!
6. Now restrict access to the pages by using NTFS permissions.
Open up Explorer and navigate to the web folder in the GFI Network Server Monitor installation path. Right click on the ‘web’ sub folder and select properties and then the Security tab.
GFI Network Server Monitor Remote web monitor • 71 Screenshot 66 - Setting permissions
7. Add / remove the users / groups you want to allow access to the Remote Monitor. To allow access only to users forming part of the
7. Add / remove the users / groups you want to allow access to the Remote Monitor. To allow access only to users forming part of the