Network Monitoring
Linux network monitoring is an important part of any network administrator’s job. Network administrators must identify any potential issues and be able to diagnose and repair them as soon as possible. It can be a challenge to monitor networks using a heterogeneous mix of OSes, protocols, and services. Cacti is a great open-source solution for monitoring networks running Linux with strong support for a wide range of protocols.
The primary purpose of Cacti is to collect data from a variety of sources and present it in graphical format. Network administrators can easily visualize network performance and system resources. They can also use Cacti plugins to manage other applications and systems within the network, such as load balancers and databases. Cacti is an excellent choice for modern networks, because of its extensibility, scalability and dynamic capabilities.
Cacti is a distributed system that consists of numerous components working together to supply the data, convert it into graphs and other forms of visualizations. It relies on a number of technologies to do its job, including SNMP, RRDTool, PHP and MySQL. Data is first collected using SNMP. This data is then stored in RRDTool databases and manipulated using the powerful calculations deposited in PHP. MySQL is used to provide the front-end for the web graphs and reports.
Cacti can be installed and configured using a number of different methods. Pre-built packages from most major Linux distributions make installation and configuration a piece of cake. Alternatively, Cacti can be configured from source, or even run in a Docker container.
Once installed, Cacti can be extended and configured in numerous ways. Data sources can be easily added and configured. Additionally, graphs and reports can be added and configured to meet your needs. Furthermore, the vast number of Cacti plugins available can extend the functionality of Cacti to allow monitoring of whatever you need.
Cacti is an invaluable tool for Linux network administrators and a powerful addition to any network administrator’s toolbox. It provides comprehensive graphical monitoring and reporting capabilities that enable administrators to quickly identify and diagnose issues. With its extensible architecture, Cacti can be used to monitor a variety of OSes, networks, services, and applications. Cacti is a powerful open-source solution for Linux network monitoring that helps administrators keep their networks running smoothly and efficiently.