OpManager's Agent-based network performance monitoring

How does OpManager's Agent-based monitoring work?

Unlike traditional polling mechanisms, where the server constantly reaches out to devices, OpManager's agent-based monitoring involves installing a small, lightweight agent (approximately 1MB) on each device. This agent fetches and transmits performance metrics back to OpManager. All communications between the agent and the OpManager server occur over a secure SSL/HTTPS connection, ensuring safety and privacy. To ensure the optimum performance of OpManager without carrying out load configuration changes, it is recommended that the agent be installed in not more than 1000 devices.

Agent monitoring feature in OpManager is available in build 125312 and above.

Differences from OpManager's agent-less monitoring

OpManager supports both agent-based and agentless monitoring, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of both methods. The user interface remains consistent, while performance improvements occur at the backend. This integration ensures that while you gain the advantages of agent-based monitoring, you can still leverage the simplicity and flexibility of agentless monitoring where appropriate.

How do I choose between agent-based and agent-less monitoring?

Each method—agent-based and agentless—has its distinct benefits and is suitable for different use cases:

• Agentless monitoring: Simple to set up, non-intrusive, and ideal for small-scale networks where resource overhead is not a major concern. However, it relies heavily on the server's resources, as it polls devices directly.
• Agent-based monitoring: Offers more robust performance by reducing server load, optimizing polling, and providing more detailed insights into device performance. It’s ideal for larger networks or environments where efficient use of resources is crucial.

OpManager allows a flexible approach, enabling users to choose either method or combine both, depending on specific monitoring requirements.

For a detailed comparison between, refer this page on differences between agent-based and agentless monitoring.

OpManager Agent Deployment in LAN Environment

OpManager's agent-based monitoring works seamlessly within local networks (LANs), where the OpManager server and agent components perform efficiently:

• Server component: The OpManager server handles the overall monitoring, configuration, and reporting, accessible via a web console.
• Agent component: The lightweight agent installed on each monitored device takes over the polling process, significantly reducing load on the server. All monitor related configuration information are periodically synced to the agent, which the agent then communicates to the OpManager server.
• Web console: A unified portal provides easy access for managing network devices, remotely accessible from any location through a secure VPN or internet connection.
• Notification server: When an agent is installed, it will initiate a secure connection to the Notification Server to get real-time notifications when a monitor is added/modified, or when actions like Test Monitor or any Inventory update is performed on that device. When a notification is sent to the corresponding device, the agent contacts the OpManager server immediately and collects the updated info about the device's monitors.

To learn more,

• Explore how to enable Push mode in OpManager Agent
• Understand the Notification server prerequisites

OpManager Agent deployment in WAN Environment

For larger networks spread across multiple locations, OpManager Enterprise utilizes probe servers to monitor devices in various branches. Each branch deploys a probe server that communicates with the central server, allowing real-time monitoring across wide geographical areas with minimal resource consumption.

Key features of agent-based network performance monitoring:

1. Quick setup: Installation is easy via manually, or either via Active Directory or by manually pushing it to devices from OpManager from the Agent Installation window in the web console.
2. Highly optimized polling: High polling frequencies across many devices can drain network resources. Agent-based monitoring reduces this network resource usage, enabling efficient real-time monitoring even for large-scale networks.
3. Enhanced security: The agent communicates with the server exclusively over SSL, ensuring secure data transmission. With agent-based monitoring, data is sent outward from the agent to the server, minimizing direct communication between OpManager and the device. This approach eliminates security risks associated with direct device monitoring.

Want to learn more? Sign up for a free demo of OpManager to explore how agent-based monitoring can enhance your network performance and security. Our experts will guide you through the setup and benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)