Tasks - FTP

Problem
Your servers are up, but how long is it actually taking to FTP into a server and download a file.

Solution
With Chroniker's TaskWatch, test an FTP server to measure how long it takes to access files and download them via a FTP connection.

Create a FTP Task
Creating a FTP Task involves the following steps:

1. Define a FTP Task
2. Define Alerts
   1. Create Reactions
   2. Create Events
   3. Apply Events to FTP Task

Define an FTP Task

Click on Tools > Add New Monitor > FTP Task:

• Required Parameters
  
  1. Click on the Group drop down menu button and select a group from this list.
     
  2. Enter a unique Task Name. Use whichever naming convention is most useful to you.
     Example: Type of Task and the file it is checking for "FTP_Readme.doc" . All spaces and symbols are permitted.
     
  3. Monitor From: If Chorniker Remote Location is used. Select a location where the task will be executed.
     
  4. FTP Host: Enter FTP Host
     Example: ftp.nrgglobal.com
     
  5. FTP Port: Enter the port Number. The default if left blank is 21.
  6. Sercure: Check Secure if you want to use Secure FTP Protocol (FTPS)
  7. Verify Cert: Applicable only when using the FTPS protocol.
     Check if you want to verify the Secure FTP Server's SSL Certificate.
     If the verification fails then the test will also be classified as failed.
  8. FTP Login and Password: Enter a valid user name and password for the FTP server in the Login and Password fields.
     This is optional, as not all FTP servers or files are secure.
  9. Timeout: Type the timeout in seconds if the task cannot be initialized. Recommended value is 15-30.
  10. File Path: Enter the File Path. For Windows users include what comes directly after the host name.
      Example: /pub/readme.doc
      
  11. Enter the host/server where the FTP server resides. This field is used for Host Outages configurations. Please click here to know more about Host Outages.
• Events
  
  1. Click on Add Event button to create a new Event or apply a predefined Event to this task.
  2. Select Event Type from Type dropdown.
  3. Select a predefined Event from the dropdown list or select [Add New Event ..] from the dropdown to create a new Event.
     
     

     When selecting [Add New Event ..], Events form opens to create the new Event.
     
     After creating the new Event, you need to click on Add Event button one more time in Add Task form to see the new Event in the Events dropdown list.

• Description: Enter a meaningful description of the Task.
  
• Click on Submit to save the form or Reset to clear the form.


Summary

You have created an FTP task that will send an email when the event threshold you’ve set is exceeded. It is recommended that you create as many reactions and events as you need to monitor your systems and networks efficiently.

If you find that you are receiving emails constantly, edit the event’s threshold accordingly.

Now that you have a basic FTP setup you can graph, report and monitor the data you are collecting. You may also edit the appropriate scenario and or task to include profiles and other options.

Should you need further technical help on the topic of FTP monitoring with Chroniker’s TaskWatch module, feel free to contact NRG Global at: 1-626-478-2138 or email: support@NRGglobal.com.