File Server Monitoring

File Server is a centralized location for storing, managing, and sharing files within a network environment. It enables users to manage files efficiently while ensuring security and compliance. Integrating it with IT-Conductor extends its capabilities, particularly with the File Watcher feature designed for SMB (Samba) File Server environments.

Through this integration, users can monitor shares, directories, and individual files in SMB setups, tracking their status and modifications. IT-Conductor allows users to set up alerts for specific file conditions, such as timely arrival, enabling proactive management and enhancing data integrity across the network. Integrating File Server with IT-Conductor's file watcher functionality provides real-time monitoring and control over file-related events, improving operational efficiency and security.

Prerequisites

Before configuring a file server for monitoring in IT-Conductor, follow the instructions below.

Account Requirements

Create or designate an account with read access to the Shares, Folders, and Files that will require monitoring on the Windows Server.

Configure File Server Monitoring in IT-Conductor

To configure file server monitoring in IT-Conductor, follow the instructions below.

Add a New File Server

1. Visit service.itconductor.com and enter your login credentials.

2. Navigate to Dashboards → Administrator to access the Administrator's Dashboard.

3. Locate the File Servers actions panel and click the title to access the complete list.

Figure 1: File Servers Actions Panel in Administrator's Dashboard

1. Click the icon to add a new file server

Figure 2: File Servers Actions Panel Page

1. Fill out all the necessary information in the New File Server wizard. Once completed, click to add the system.

Figure 3a: New File Server Wizard (New File Server Screen)

• Description - refers to any relevant information about the file server being added.

• Organization - refers to an administrative structure that defines objects with a common goal or purpose. If you previously created an organization, please select it.

• Role - refers to the environment where the system will be used.

• Site - refers to a logical object that describes a particular area or location, depending on the context in which it is used.

• Gateway - allows communication between the customer's site network and the IT-Conductor cloud platform. Select the previously configured gateway from the dropdown menu. See Gateway Setup for more details.

• Server Name - refers to the name of the server that will be added.

• SMB2 - refers to the network communication protocol used for file sharing.

1. Provide the account information in the wizard and click to complete the configuration.

Figure 3b: New File Server Wizard (New Account Screen)

• Description - refers to any relevant information about the user account being added.

• Application - refers to the previously added file server.

• Person - refers to the name of the user who is adding the server.

• User - refers to the user aligned with the Account Requirements.

• Password - refers to the password of the previously created user.

• Retype Password - refers to the same password provided in the Password field.

1. Verify if the system was added to the File Servers actions panel and check its status.

Note: The status will remain on Ready for a few minutes. Refresh the panel if needed. If there are configuration issues, such as incorrect connection parameters or an invalid account, the status will remain Ready. Click to display the log and troubleshoot as needed. If everything is configured correctly, the status will change to In Progress.

1. Navigate to the service grid and verify if the system was added under the File Servers node.

Note: The system will appear in the service grid within 5-15 minutes.

Figure 6: File Servers in IT-Conductor Service Grid

Monitor File Servers in IT-Conductor

To view the availability and performance metrics of a File Server, locate the File Server node in the service grid.

Figure 7: File Server View in Service Grid

File Server Key Metrics

• Availability - refers to the operational state and accessibility of the File Server.

• Connection Failures - refer to the events where attempts to establish a connection are unsuccessful.

• Heartbeat - refers to the periodic signal sent to the system, enabling real-time detection of system downtime.

• Missing Account - refers to the absence of a required user account or resource within the File Server.

• Retriever Failures - refer to the errors or issues encountered during the retrieval process of essential data or information within the File Server.

Note: All metrics will not show data when a system is unavailable.

To access a historical view of these metrics, click and a pop-up chart will be displayed.

Figure 8: Availability Chart in Service Grid

Health Explorer

To view a more detailed analysis of metrics and time-synchronized data, click Health in the service grid, and you will be redirected to the Health Explorer page.

Figure 9a: File Server Health Explorer

Figure 9b: File Server Health Explorer

Application Log

An application log records events or messages generated by software during its execution. It is typically used for debugging and troubleshooting purposes.

To view the logs for the file servers, click Application Log in the service grid, and you will be redirected to a page with a list of all events and their status.

Figure 10: File Server Application Log

Scheduled Maintenance Events

To view the scheduled maintenance events for monitored File Servers, click Events in the service grid, and a pop-up list of Scheduled Maintenance Events will be displayed.

Figure 11a: File Server Scheduled Maintenance Events

To schedule a maintenance event, click and you will be redirected to a page listing all maintenance events associated with the file server. Then click Create New Maintenance Events.

Figure 11b: Create a New Maintenance Event

Related Information

Please refer to the File Watcher Documentation to learn how to monitor the information within the shares, folders, and files.