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FTP (FTPS) Category

Info

The Nodinite File and FTP Folder Monitoring Agent performs Monitoring of FTP and FTPS sites to verify they are operational and do not stockpile files according to user-defined thresholds. Advanced filter options exist to ensure you get the best possible Monitoring experience and value.

FTP and FTPS Services Monitoring.
Ensure the files are not too many.
Ensure the files are not too old.
Size-based Monitoring.
Advanced include and exclude RegEx-based filter options.

State evaluation example
Here's an example of FTP/FPTS Resources as on display in a Nodinite Monitor View.

Remote Configuration

To get started after successfully installing the agent, as a Nodinite Administrator, click the 'Configuration' button to open a configuration screen:

Remote Configuration
Here's an example of the 'Configuration' button, available in the Monitoring Agent Configuration administration page.

Given you have been granted proper access-rights including the right to perform Remote Actions , You can also perform specific configurations directly on the Resource using the Action button in .

Add FTP/FTPS Server

The Agent can perform Monitoring of many FTP Server/Services. Add and remove FTP servers from within the 'FTP/FTPS' tab.
FTP Tab

Click on the 'Add' button to add a new FTP Server to include in the Monitoring, repeat as needed.
Add new FTP Server entry (6.2.0.1)
Here's an example of how to add a new FTP Monitoring configuration entry.

Then, expand the accordion to enter essential details.
Empty FTP/FTPS entry (6.2.0.1)

You can enter details for the following properties:

  • Enabled - A flag to set if monitoring for this configuration entry is enabled, or not.
  • Display Name (mandatory) - User-friendly name for this FTP configuration. This is also the Resource name in Monitor Views.
  • Description - A user-friendly description about this configuation entry.
  • Application ID - Resources may group by Application, and then by Category using the value from the Name text field. Read more about Applications here:

Empty tab
You can add as many entries as you require.

You can perform further configuration from any of the following sub tabs:

Basic tab

From witin the Basic tab, you can enter essential information to connect with the FTP/FTPS service:
Basic Tab

  • Host - Service Host name, or IP-address.
  • Port - The TCP port to use (channel specific).
  • Folder - The base path of the folder to monitor.
  • Filter The filter make use of RegEx to perform the match, and uses the file name to match only xml files for example test.xml you should use \.xml$. The filter is case insensitive and ignores multiple white spaces.

    Warning

    You can NOT use the Windows style filter; i.e. *.txt, *.xml, *.*

  • Time zone - Specify the time zone of the FTP service to evaluate the monitoring thresholds correctly. The default time zone is that of the monitoring agent's installation location.

Advanced tab

From within the Advanced tab, you can enter additional information abot how to connect with FTP service and specify filters:
Advanced Tab (6.2.0.1)

  • Encryption mode
    • None (default)
    • Implicit
    • Explicit
  • Connection mode - The default is 'Auto Passive'.
Connection Mode Description
AutoPassive This type of data connection attempts to use the EPSV command and if the server does not support EPSV it falls back to the PASV command before giving up unless you are connected via IPv6 in which case the PASV command is not supported.
PASV Passive data connection. EPSV is a better option if it's supported. Passive connections connect to the IP address dictated by the server which may or may not be accessible by the client for example a server behind a NAT device may give an IP address on its local network that is inaccessible to the client. Please note that IPv6 does not support this type data connection. If you ask for PASV and are connected via IPv6 EPSV will automatically be used in its place.
PASVEX Same as PASV except the host supplied by the server is ignored and the data connection is made to the same address that the control connection is connected to. This is helpful in scenarios where the server supplies a private/non-routable network address in the PASV response. It's functionally identical to EPSV except some servers may not implement the EPSV command. Please note that IPv6 does not support this type data connection. If you ask for PASV and are connected via IPv6 EPSV will automatically be used in its place.
EPSV Extended passive data connection, recommended. Works the same as a PASV connection except the server does not dictate an IP address to connect to, instead the passive connection goes to the same address used in the control connection. This type of data connection supports IPv4 and IPv6.
AutoActive This type of data connection attempts to use the EPRT command and if the server does not support EPRT it falls back to the PORT command before giving up unless you are connected via IPv6 in which case the PORT command is not supported.
PORT Active data connection, not recommended unless you have a specific reason for using this type. Creates a listening socket on the client which requires firewall exceptions on the client system as well as client network when connecting to a server outside of the client's network. In addition, the IP address of the interface used to connect to the server is the address the server is told to connect to which, if behind a NAT device, may be inaccessible to the server. This type of data connection is not supported by IPv6. If you specify PORT and are connected via IPv6 EPRT will automatically be used instead.
EPRT Extended active data connection, not recommended unless you have a specific reason for using this type. Creates a listening socket on the client which requires firewall exceptions on the client as well as client network when connecting to a server outside of the client's network. The server connects to the IP address it sees the client coming from. This type of data connection supports IPv4 and IPv6.
  • Filter on size
  • Include child folders - Enable this option to include all subfolders. You can exclude specific child folders by adding them to any of the 'Exclude Child Folders' lists.
  • Exclude child folders by folder name - List of child folders to exclude (The 'Include child folders' option must be checked)
    • Name
      Exclude folder by name (6.2.0.1)
  • Exclude child folders by RegEx - List of matched child folders to exclude from monitoring if the 'Include child folders' option is checked.
    An example configuration is detailed in the Folders (SMB) user guide.
    • Expression
      Exclude folder by RegEx (6.2.0.1)

Thresholds tab

From within the Thresholds tab, you can enter Monitoring thresholds for the age, and the number of allowed files:

Thresholds tab

Info

The different evaluated states are documented in the Overview.

Age

  • Warning Time Span The longest allowed time span before Warning alert is raised should be in the following format (days.hours:minutes:seconds, e.g. 7.12:30:59).

    Tip

    Use the same time as Errors (or higher) to disable the use for warnings.

  • Error Time Span The longest allowed time span before Error alert is raised should be in the following format (days.hours:minutes:seconds, e.g. 7.12:30:59).

Count

To Monitor the number of files, you must check the 'Enable count evaluation' checkbox.

  • Enable count evaluation - When this option is checked, the number of files will be evaluated
  • Warning count - This is the threshold for the maximum number of allowed files before a Warning is issued
  • Error count - This is the threshold for the maximum number of allowed files before an Error is issued

Count Evaluation (6.2.0.1)

Scheduling tab

From within the Scheduling tab you can manage the following schedule-related monitoring properties:
Scheduling tab

An example configuration is detailed in the Folders (SMB) user guide.

Authentication tab

From within the Authentication tab, you can enter the essential information to connect with the FTP service:

  • User name - Authenticate with this user.

  • Password - Specify the password with which to authenticate the user.

    Authentication tab


Save

You must click 'Save' or 'Save and close' for changes to persist. The new settings/thresholds are evaluated on the next synchronization.
Save and Close buttons
Here's an example of the Save options.

Note

The delay in presenting the new evaluated state depends on the synchronization interval set for the monitoring agent. Click the Sync Now button to force an immediate synchronization.

Save and close, save, and close the dialogue.
Cancel, closes the dialogue without saving any changes.


Remote Actions

Resource Name Monitoring Actions Metrics/Statistics
FTP/FTS List files
Edit
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All operations you and other Users perform are logged to the Nodinite Audit Log, ensuring you stay compliant with policies and applicable regulations.
Remote Actions

List files

The file content of monitored SMB folders can be listed using the List files Remote Action.
List files action

Then, a new screen opens with details about the files.
List files modal

You can download a file by opening the Actions button and then click on the Download menu item.
Download

Edit thresholds

You can manage the monitoring thresholds by opening the Actions button and then click on the Edit menu item.
Edit thresholds Action

From the modal, you can alter the monitoring thresholds:
Edit thresholds


Next Step

Install File Folder Monitoring Agent

SFTP
Folders (SMB)
Folders (NFS)

Monitor Views
Monitoring Agents