This product collects data via API calls on NT and via SSH or telnet on Unix--a handy feature because you don't have to manage agent distribution. But you still will need to beg for access if you don't control the servers because the process logs into each server when gathering the performance metrics.
This package comes with a huge selection of predefined data collection rules, grouped into categories such as Active Directory, Event Log, Performance SNMP, Log and SLA. Within these groups, there are subgroupings. For example, the SNMP category features rules that apply to Cisco, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, Linux and many other platforms and devices. It's impressive to see 20 predefined Cisco rules that cover CPU, memory, Layer 2, Layer 3 and other performance metrics. An SLA rule measures availability; Argent says this is better than a ping because a busy system might answer a ping but be running applications that are too busy to respond. Good point.
The Argent Guardian also has a huge set of alarms, which can notify you via all the usual methods, such as beeper, pager or SNMP. Some unique inclusions are based on application and database metrics, such as SQL, Exchange, start and stop services and even system shutdowns. There's nothing like having power!
Argent Predictor, the product's trending engine, requires a defined set of data to collect. There are canned reports, but we wanted to trend our infrastructure and Web server to get a correlated view, as with all the other products, to avoid creating empty reports when a monitored device doesn't support the metric specified in the data-collection scenario.
There is a basic network report that gathers total bytes per interface and has a handy integrated MIB browser to allow for quick point-and-click selection of a specific SNMP OID to be monitored, but a shortage of some details limited the data's usefulness to hard core network management types.
By combining resources and expertise, the AI-Enabled ICT Workforce Consortium will offer a blueprint for how industries can adapt to an AI-dominated future.
IT leaders should heed the guidance of cybersecurity insurance providers who think businesses should prioritize security education, incident preparedness, regular internal audits, and ongoing vulnerability scanning and patching.
There are many network courses that can address your present job's priorities and help you gain the needed skills to keep pace with industry changes and new technologies.
