Remote Monitoring of Server's Firmware

[TodWulff]

Good day.

Given that I am using my RT-AC66U as a VOIP server (in addition to it's traditional uses), I am looking for a way to have a tool that I can use to monitor its performance from afar in a more granular fashion than what syslog and the traffic tools provide in the firmware's webui.

(FYI, this is a x86/x64 WinAPI guy here, still wet behind the ears w/ *nix...)

On traditional linux boxes, I've used both Monyt and RLM in the past quite successfully.

Monyt is a .php based tool, so it needs .php installed on the server.
RLM is a ssh-based tool that requires a traditional set of cli-tools on the server.

What, if any, third party tools do you folks use to monitor your AsusWRT/AsusMerlin embedded-linux boxes?

I've not tried monyt, as I don't know of Merlin's builds have php bakedin. I am sort of suspecting not, but not 100% sure. Does anyone know? EDIT: I see that there is php in the Entware repo...

I've tried RLM and it functions, somewhat:

1. System Status on 'System' tab broke for disk space reporting
2. Sadly, the 'Processes' tab entirely blank.
3. The 'Resources' tab seems to be mostly functional, sans any swap volume data (if there is any employed by Merlin's FW?).
4. and lastly, the 'File Systems' tab totally blank, sadly.

I'm interested in hearing other's success stories in this area. Thank you, in advance.

-t

 

[Mordred]

Good day.

Given that I am using my RT-AC66U as a VOIP server (in addition to it's traditional uses), I am looking for a way to have a tool that I can use to monitor its performance from afar in a more granular fashion than what syslog and the traffic tools provide in the firmware's webui.

(FYI, this is a x86/x64 WinAPI guy here, still wet behind the ears w/ *nix...)

On traditional linux boxes, I've used both Monyt and RLM in the past quite successfully.

Monyt is a .php based tool, so it needs .php installed on the server.
RLM is a ssh-based tool that requires a traditional set of cli-tools on the server.

What, if any, third party tools do you folks use to monitor your AsusWRT/AsusMerlin embedded-linux boxes?

I've not tried monyt, as I don't know of Merlin's builds have php bakedin. I am sort of suspecting not, but not 100% sure. Does anyone know? EDIT: I see that there is php in the Entware repo...

I've tried RLM and it functions, somewhat:

1. System Status on 'System' tab broke for disk space reporting
2. Sadly, the 'Processes' tab entirely blank.
3. The 'Resources' tab seems to be mostly functional, sans any swap volume data (if there is any employed by Merlin's FW?).
4. and lastly, the 'File Systems' tab totally blank, sadly.

I'm interested in hearing other's success stories in this area. Thank you, in advance.

-t

Not sure if it is possible to run zabbix on RMerlin fw, but I'm using zabbix with dd-wrt. There are a few screenshots here how it looks like

http://tips.desipro.de/2013/01/27/dd-wrt-kong-mod-opensource-enterprise-class-monitoring-zabbix/

You need a monitoring server with zabbix and just configure the server IP in the routers webif. It it is professional monitoring solution like nagios.

 

[TodWulff]

Not sure if it is possible to run zabbix on RMerlin fw, but I'm using zabbix with dd-wrt. There are a few screenshots here how it looks like

http://tips.desipro.de/2013/01/27/dd-wrt-kong-mod-opensource-enterprise-class-monitoring-zabbix/

You need a monitoring server with zabbix and just configure the server IP in the routers webif. It it is professional monitoring solution like nagios.

Hey Mordred. Thanks for the response.

zabbix looks like a nice and robust solution. Too bad it requires a paid service framework.

I was hoping for a no-cost, agent-less (or at least lightweight on server side - i.e. a simple .php page, or similar) solution.

However, in reading their site, it leads me to believe that there may be a way to have some level of no-cost functionality.

I'll dig a bit more, if the agent is able to be put on a Merlin FW device.

Is the zabbix client you are using on your device installable via the OpenWRT Entware Repo? Hmm... I just looked and it is in Entware. /me wonders...

I'll give it a go and advise. Thanks again.

 

[Mordred]

Hey Mordred. Thanks for the response.

zabbix looks like a nice and robust solution. Too bad it requires a paid service framework.

I was hoping for a no-cost, agent-less (or at least lightweight on server side - i.e. a simple .php page, or similar) solution.

However, in reading their site, it leads me to believe that there may be a way to have some level of no-cost functionality.

I'll dig a bit more, if the agent is able to be put on a Merlin FW device.

Is the zabbix client you are using on your device installable via the OpenWRT Entware Repo? Hmm... I just looked and it is in Entware. /me wonders...

I'll give it a go and advise. Thanks again.

It is completely free, you just need a linux server, then download:

http://www.zabbix.com/download.php

Install and configure it.

It is directly included in dd-wrt and you just need to enable it in the webif under services. If copy the zabbix template from the router:

/etc/zabbix_template.xml

and import it on the server you are pretty much done.

 

[TodWulff]

Thanks, Mordred. When the dust settles, and I get my VPS back up and running, I'll give it a whirl.

Take care.

-t