Sensor-Based Monitoring: Use Cases
ServerSentinel ensures highly reliable monitoring of your systems with a variety of easily configurable sensors. You can easily configure them on the server or you can use Remote Client to access ServerSentinel from your workplace without the need to log on the server via remote desktop.
Each edition comes with 50 sensors, which are already included in the price. An unlimited number of sensors can be purchased in our online shop.
What is a Sensor and What is It For?
Sensors are monitoring elements that ServerSentinel uses to detect changes, events or certain signals sent by your IT system. ServerSentinel sensors measure available hard disk space, temperature in your server room, the CPU load etc. and respond accordingly.
Windows Hard Disk | File System Monitoring

The health of your hard disks and knowledge about their status is essential in every company. Data loss is not only frustrating, but can also cause enormous damage. That applies to all kinds of computers that are available at your company: server or desktop computers, laptops, removable racks etc.. ServerSentinel enables you to monitor the content and state of your hard disks and to prevent data loss:
- File and Folder Sensors monitor folder and file features (if installed, SpaceObServer will be used to monitor folder sizes in the background).
- S.M.A.R.T. Sensor is responsible for hard disk health.
- RAID Sensor tells you the RAID status.
- Disk Space Sensor collects information regarding the disk space usage and the disk space development on your system.
- File System Sensor helps you monitor file system events.
- XML Sensor reads file content.
Examples
1. Inform Administrator if Server Runs Low on Space
If a server's disk space runs low it will stop working. Administrators should be warned before this happens. Disk Space Sensor detects that there is less than 5% free server space on a monitored server and triggers an email to the administrator: "Only X GB free server space left on server A".
2. Keep an Eye on Hard Disk Health
S.M.A.R.T. values provide information about hard disk health. ServerSentinel reads the values and will warn the administrators before errors happen. S.M.A.R.T. value of a monitored hard disk falls below threshold. S.M.A.R.T. Sensor detects that and triggers an email to administrator "S.M.A.R.T. value X of hard disk A below threshold."
Linux Hard Disk | File System Monitoring

If you want to ensure that your data is available any time and you don't want to lose your sensitive and valuable information that is stored on your Linux system, you have to pay attention to the health of your hard disks and be always informed about their status. Data recovery can cost you time and money! ServerSentinel enables you to monitor the content and state of your hard disks and helps you to avoid unnecessary risks:
- File and Folder Sensors monitor folder and file features as well as their size.
- Disk Space Sensor analyzes the disk space usage and collects the information regarding the disk space development on your system.
Network Monitoring

The network in your company is quite complex and you need a holistic understanding on how network services and devices are performing as a whole, as well as a detailed knowledge on every device? ServerSentinel keeps track of your complete infrastructure and pinpoints problems or bottlenecks in real time.
- Ping Sensor tests the availability of servers and single computers.
- SNMP Sensor monitors network devices like servers, routers, printers or an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and receives SNMP traps.
- HTTP(S) Sensor checks whether certain content is available.
- TCP Sensor helps you to ensure if a connection to a host is possible.
- FTP Sensor monitors files and folders on FTP servers.
- DNS Sensor verifies that a DNS server can solve a certain address.
Example
Query Backup Power Time of the UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
Adding new servers can lower the backup power time of the UPS - even below the required minimum. SNMP Sensor detects that the backup power time of the UPS lies below threshold (10 minutes) and triggers an email notification to the administrator: "Backup power time of the UPS less than 10 minutes."
Mail Server Monitoring

Without a working email server, daily business life is effectively impossible. Suddenly email traffic spikes and CPU bottlenecks may compromise business operations enormously. ServerSentinel enables you to proactively control the mail server issues before they let you work overtime.
- SMPT, POP3, or IMAP Sensors easily monitor email servers or their services.
- Mail Flow Sensor checks if your email server works.
Example
Keep Inboxes From Reaching Capacity
Users like to store emails in their inboxes, but one day every inbox will reach capacity. ServerSentinel automatically sends out warnings before the inbox is full.
Used space in the inbox has exceeded the threshold set by administrators (2,5GB). POP3 / IMAP Sensor triggers simultaneously two emails. One email is sent to user: "Your inbox is reaching capacity, please clean up old emails!" The administrator gets the other email: "Inbox storage usage of user X has exceeded threshold."
Windows System Monitoring

Programs running on computers affect their performance. ServerSentinel keeps an eye on your running Windows systems, remotely and locally, and helps you stay informed!
- Process and Service Sensors monitor the use of resources by processes and services.
- System Load Sensor was developed specifically for the monitoring of available internal memory as well as the CPU and hard disk load.
- Performance Indicator Sensor helps you to easily query system information.
- Windows Event Log Sensor enables you to query the Windows event log locally or remotely.
Example
Monitor Server CPU Load
An unexpected high CPU load can be a sign of a frozen process - the server should be restarted. System Load Sensor detects that CPU load has exceeded threshold of 90% for more than 30 minutes. It instantly triggers an email to the administrator: "High CPU load on server X, server has been restarted" and simultaneously restarts the server via shutdown action.
Linux System Monitoring

You would like to know what is going on your Linux systems? With ServerSentinel you can easily monitor and debug Linux performance problems.
- Process Sensor helps you to identify the use of resources by processes.
- System Load Sensor monitors the available internal memory as well as the CPU and hard disk load.
Server Room Monitoring

Different scenarios demand different sensors. You want to make sure your server room or office never overheats to keep your delicate technology safe? You need to keep an eye on the humidity? Or is security your primary concern? Different USB sensors help you monitor all environmental influences:
- Temperature Sensor ensures simple and robust monitoring of room temperature.
- Humidity Sensor measures humidity and room temperature precisely and easily.
- Contact Sensor connects to your smoke or motion detector and monitors them with ServerSentinel.
- SpeedFan Sensor monitors temperature and fan speeds (in combination with SpeedFan).
Example
Keep the Server From Overheating
Servers are vulnerable to heat damage. ServerSentinel will keep your expensive hardware safe!
- Temperature in the server room exceeds 30°C for more than 5 minutes. Temperature Sensor triggers a text message and email to administrator: "Warning: more than 30°C in server room."
- Temperature in the server room exceeds 40°C for more than 5 minutes. Temperature Sensor triggers shutdown of server to prevent heat damage.
- Temperature in the server room is below 30°C for more than 10 minutes. Temperature Sensor triggers restart of server via wake on LAN action and an email to the administrator: "Server A has been restarted."
Even More Monitoring

Every business is different and has special requirements and needs regarding its IT infrastructure. ServerSentinel is an integrated and highly flexible software solution that ensures simultaneous monitoring of your entire IT environment.
- WMI Sensor enables you to formulate your own WMI.
- Script Sensor runs different applications or scripts (VBS, PS) and monitors their return values.
- Database Sensor enables you to send a wide variety of SQL queries to a connected database.