network monitor: main page    
  What's New
   
Detail info Details    HostMonitor main page HostMonitor    Copyright/License/Warranty Copyright/License/Warranty    Download HostMonitor Download    Registration Information Buy now   


   Improvements  HostMonitor and RCC GUI improvements
  • Mail Profiles window offers "Usage" report, it tells you which action profiles use selected mail template
  • Mail Profiles window offers "Mark unused" option. With this option enabled templates that are not used by any action profile will be displayed in grey color.
  • Now you can adjust height of Action Profiles and Report Profiles windows
  • Now you can change height and width of Mail Profiles window
  • other minor GUI improvements
   Improvements  Other improvements
  • New HostMonitor and Web Service can work with latest OpenSSL version 1.0.0f and 1.0.0g. Its better to use this version of OpenSSL when you need to check HTTPS servers using SSLv3.
  • HostMonitor: now getword, endword operators may work with multi-line strings
  • MIB Browser: improved MIB compiler
   Fixed  The following issues were resolved
  • HostMonitor: in some cases "Set Ok status by acknowledgement" option for E-Mail tests did not work. Fixed
  • HostMonitor and RMA for Windows (NT Event Log test method): when HostMonitor cannot retrieve event description using Windows Event Log API, it tries to retrieve this information using WMI protocol. However in such case HostMonitor displayed event description as single line (removed CR, LF characters). Fixed.
  • Web Service: under some conditions it could show wrong statistic counters (total number of good, bad and unknown test items). Affected versions 9.00-9.06. Fixed in this version


   Improvements  Improvements
  • HostMonitor, RMA for Windows: Trace test offers 6 new variables that provide information about slowest host in the chain and information about last responsive host in the route: %TraceSlowestNode%, %TraceSlowestHost%, %TraceSlowestTime%, %TraceLastNode%, %TraceLastHost%, %TraceLastTime%
  • HostMonitor: old version could create reports and logs on shared network drives specified by UNC path (e.g. \\server\logs\hmlogs\primary.htm) but it could not create new folders on such resources. New version can create folders on local and remote systems
   Fixed  The following issues were resolved
  • HostMonitor, RMA for Windows: if target host name could not be resolved due to DNS related problems, %TraceFull% and %TraceBrief% variables could display route detected by previous (old) test probe. Fixed
  • HostMonitor, RMA for Windows: NT Event Log test method could work incorrectly in Vista compatibility mode due to some bugs in Windows Vista API (including Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7). Fixed
  • HostMonitor: minor GUI corrections


   Improvements  Improvements
  • HostMonitor: new HM Script command "CopyIntoSelectedFolders" may copy specified test item into set of folders. You may select destination folders using various expressions based on folder name or folder-level variables
  • HostMonitor/RCC: Patterns dialog allows you to activate patterns for test name and test comment separatelly
  • MIB Browser: some MIB files use identical names for different variables, this may lead to compilation problems. New MIB Browser offers "-smartmode1" command line parameter. It tells MIB Browser to use different compiling mode that works more slowly but should compile such ambiguous MIB files more precisely
   Fixed  The following issues were resolved
  • HostMonitor version 8.8x and 9.00 could keep superfluous </table> tags in HTML log files. Fixed
  • RCC: sometimes previous version of RCC (version 4.02 only) could show error message after normal disconnect. Fixed


   Improvements  Improvements
  • HostMonitor and RCC: optimized code for Auditing Tool works faster, especially when you have many thousands test items with master-dependant relations
  • HostMonitor and RCC: optimized code for Super Matrix window works faster when you select folders, switch between windows, etc
   Fixed  The following issues related to version 7.x, 8.x and 9.00 were resolved
  • HostMonitor and RCC: minor GUI issue related to tray icon color has been fixed
  • HostMonitor: in some rare cases when you remove folder with subfolders, HostMonitor could remove folders but keep some test items in the list
   Fixed  The following issues related to version 9.00 were resolved
  • HostMonitor and RCC: when you select Remote Monitoring Agent (RMA) for Drive Free Space test (only this test method was affected) using Test Properties dialog, HostMonitor/RCC could set "HostMonitor" option instead of specified RMA. Fixed
  • HostMonitor: ODBC Query test method did not check BIG_INT fields properly


Advanced Host Monitor version 9 offers 6 new test methods, 100 more variables, new options, some GUI improvements, new commands, new logs and so on. It is more flexible and in some cases GUI works much faster (especially when you have over 5,000 folders and 50,000 test items).
For example:
  • you may use new HM Script commands to create new set of tests from templates;
  • you may use optional status processing commands to check word in specific position or check specific bits within test result;
  • you may setup new Views (and reports) using daily/weekly/monthly statistic counters;
  • you may send commands to HostMonitor by e-mail.

There are over 100 modifications in comparison to previous version of Advanced Host Monitor (version 8.86).
We grouped changes into several sections:

New features  New tests:
  1. SOAP/XML
    This test method allows performing SOAP requests version 1.1 and 1.2 over HTTP and HTTPS protocols. HostMonitor supports GET and POST requests, client and server side certificates; optional HTTP headers can be specified as well.

    When you setup SOAP/XML test you may choose how result of the request should be checked
    • Check CRC mode.
      This is simple CRC check. With this option selected HostMonitor will save CRC (Cyclical Redundancy Check) of the received data and do a checksum comparison each subsequent time test is performed. If the checksum changes, HostMonitor will set "Bad contents" status.
      If you enable "Recalculate CRC when page content changes detected" option then new checksum will be recorded as the default every time "Bad content" error occurs, so the test will return to "Good" status until the checksum changes again.
    • Check content as text.
      In this mode HostMonitor can search for a string in retrieved data and start alerts when string exists (or doesn't exist) on the page. If you chose "use expression" option, you may use expressions like "("Total" and "code: 5") and not ("Error" or "Warning")". In this case HostMonitor will set "Host is alive" status when server returns data that contains both strings "Total" and "code: 5", and doesn't contain either strings "Error" or "Warning".
    • Check XML value.
      Using this mode you may specify XPath that allows you to select some structures within retrieved data and specify additional conditions to check result set. You may check row count, check data in 1st row, check any row or every row, check average value or sum of all values. E.g. you may setup HostMonitor to select all <temperature> fields and set Bad test status when value of any of such fields is over 50.

    Please check the manual for details (manual.doc file).
    Note: If you need to check XML data retrieved over POP3 or IMAP protocol, you may use new E-Mail test method.


  2. E-Mail
    This versatile test may check mailbox on target server using POP3 or IMAP protocol including encrypted connections (supported SSL protocols are TLS1, SSL3, SSL2 and PCT1).

    You may setup test to check for "bad" and optionally for "good" e-mails by verifying sender's address, recipient's address, e-mail subject and body of the mail. You may check each parameter for specific string; also you may use expressions. E.g if you specify expression like 'admin1@domain.com' or 'admin2@domain.com' for sender's address, e-mail will pass filter when sender is admin1@domain.com or admin2@domain.com.

    Also, for e-mail body that contains data in XML format, you may provide XPath and specify additional filters to check result set. You may check row count, check field value in 1st row, check value of any row or value of every row, check average value or sum of all values. E.g. you may tell HostMonitor to set Bad test status when average value of all <price> fields within result set is below 1000.

    When HostMonitor finds new e-mail that fits "Bad" filter conditions, it changes status of the test item to "Bad". When test status changes back to "Ok"? This behavior depends on the following options:
    • set "Ok" status when no new "Bad" mails detected
      HostMonitor will assign "Ok" status to the test item, when subsequent test probe will not detect any new "Bad" mail
    • set "Ok" status when new "Good" mails detected
      Status of the test item will be changed to "Ok" when HostMonitor finds new mail that fits "Good" filter conditions
    • set "Ok" status by acknowledgement (manually)
      With this option chosen, test item will remain "Bad" until operator acknowledge status (then status will be changed to Ok)

    "Report about latest bad/good mail"
    If several bad/good mails were received since previous test probe, this option tells HostMonitor to use most recent mail for test result.
    "Report about all bad/good mails"
    If several bad/good mails were received since previous test probe, this option tells HostMonitor to change test status according to each e-mail that passes filters.

    "Remove e-mail after test" option tells HostMonitor to remove e-mails that fit specified filter (remove e-mail after test probe is complete).
    Important note: If this option disabled and several "bad" or "good" e-mails can be received by the server within single second then HostMonitor will detect only 1st of these mails.

    "Display" option allows you to choose what information should be displayed in Reply field of the test: sender's address, recipient, subject line, detected XML value, etc.
    Also, there are new variables for E-Mail test; you may use these variables as parameters of some actions assigned to such test items.

    Note: If you assign "Execute HM Script" action to E-Mail test, then you may send e-mail with HM Script commands to HostMonitor and HostMonitor will execute your e-mail as a script! So you may setup HostMonitor to inform you about problems by e-mail and you may respond to HostMonitor by e-mail as well. E.g. you may pause some test items or acknowledge status of failed items. Even more: HostMonitor may send you back confirmation. See HMScript and multiline variables for details.

    Please check the manual for details (manual.doc file).


  3. Certificate expiration
    This test allows you to check SSL certificate expiration date and start alerts when certificate expires within specified number of days. You just need to specify target server (using hostname or IP address), timeout, TCP port and range for "appropriate" expiration period.
    Basically this test designed for HTTPS servers however it may work with any server that supports implicit mode. In other words test will work with some SMTP, POP3, IMAP servers but not with all of them.

    There are new variables for Certificate Expiration test, you may use these variables as parameters of some actions assigned to such test items.


  4. Domain expiration
    This test allows you to check domain expiration date and start alerts when domain registration expires within specified number of days.
    You just need to specify WhoIs server (using hostname or IP address), timeout, port (default port for WhoIs service - 43), domain name and minimum threshold for expiration period.

    Please note: unfortunately there is no strict format for information provided by WhoIs servers; different servers provide data using different formats; some servers do not provide necessary information at all. We tested HostMonitor with over 100 different WhoIs servers however it may not work with your "favorite" WhoIs server. In such case please send request to support@ks-soft.net and we will try to adapt HostMonitor for your needs.

    There are new variables for Domain Expiration test, you may use these variables as parameters of some actions assigned to such test items.


  5. Registry
    This test can retrieve specified registry counter from local or remote Windows system and compare counter value with specified string, number or date and start alerts when:
    • any change detected
    • retrieved counter value is less/more than specified value
    • retrieved counter value is equal to or different from specified value
    • retrieved counter value contains or doesn't contain specified string
    Note: under WOW64, certain registry keys are redirected. When a 32-bit or 64-bit application makes a registry call for a redirected key, the registry redirector intercepts the call and maps it to the key's corresponding physical registry location. For more information, see the following Microsoft articles:
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa384253(v=vs.85).aspx
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa384232(v=vs.85).aspx
    That's why Registry test offers 2 options that tell HostMonitor to accesses the 32-bit registry view or 64-bit registry view:
    - Use Win32 registry
    - Use Win64 registry
    (these options do not work on Windows 2000, HostMonitor will be able to work with 32-bit registry view only).

    Alert if key/value absent
    This option tells HostMonitor what test status should be set when specified registry counter does not exist.
    If counter absent and this option enabled, HostMonitor will set Bad test status regardless of "compare mode" and previous value of the counter.
    If counter absent and this option disabled, then
    • If you are using "any change detected" alert mode, HostMonitor will set Bad or Ok status depending on previous value of the counter (e.g. if counter does not exist now and it was not present earlier then test status will be Ok)
    • For other alert modes, HostMonitor will set Unknown test status.


  6. SNMP Table
    This test uses SNMP protocol, like SNMP Get test method. The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is the Internet standard protocol for exchanging management information between management console applications and managed entities (hosts, routers, bridges, hubs). Using SNMP protocol, HostMonitor can control many different parameters of various network devices.
    While single SNMP Get test item allows you to check just one counter provided by specified SNMP agent, single SNMP Table test item may check hundreds counters at once. Single SNMP Table test item cannot check various SNMP agents (check different hosts) but it can retrieve set of counters from target agent and perform various checks. E.g. you may setup HostMonitor to look for a maximum or minimum counter within some table, check average value or look for most rapidly changing counter.
    In some cases you may replace thousand of you SNMP Get test items with single SNMP Trap test. E.g. if you want to receive alert when any network interface on your router changes status, you may easily do this using single SNMP Table test.

    Please check the manual for details (manual.doc file).

Improvements  Improved tests:
  1. WMI test offers new options: Authentication Level.
    This option may be necessary for access to some namespaces. E.g. root\cimv2\TerminalServices namespace requires Packet Privacy authentication level.
    Modified modules: HostMonitor, RCC, Passive RMA and Active RMA for Windows

  2. NT Events Log test could get old records when user switches compatibility mode specified for the test item from "Windows NT mode" to "Windows Vista mode". New HostMonitor considers such modified test as new item and ignores "old" events.
    Also there are 7 new variables that provide information about previous detected event.

  3. Shell Script test: some Windows 2008/Windows 7 "particularities" could lead to problems for this test method (script could not be executed, HostMonitor set Unknown test status). We implemented workaround in this version of HostMonitor and RMA.
    Modified modules: HostMonitor, Passive and Active RMA for Windows

  4. Text Log, Folder/File Size and Compare Files test methods offer %FileName% variable.
    Also Compare Files test method offers %FileName2% variable.

  5. URL test and SOAP test: you may tell HostMonitor to allow date expressions in "URL" and "Check contents" fields (the same kind of expressions you can use with file-related test methods, e.g. you may specify URL like http://www.webserv.com/script.php?date=%ddmmyyyy[-3d]%)
    This is undocumented option. "Undocumented" means the option is not accessible thru GUI however you may turn it on by inserting URL_AllowDateExpressions=1 line into [Misc] section of hostmon.ini file (you need to restart HostMonitor as well).
    Without using this option tests will work as usually, process date variables like %dd%, %mm%, %yy% but does not allow expressions like %dd[-1d]%.

New features  New "global" features
  1. "Redundant check" mode
    Since version 6.00 HostMonitor allows you to setup primary and backup agents. Using this feature, HostMonitor is able to balance load between agents and use the backup agent when primary one does not respond. In addition to "Load balancing" and "Backup only" modes new version adds "Redundant check" mode (available for Passive RMA only).
    When "Redundant check" mode specified for 2nd (backup) agent, HostMonitor uses selected agent as "backup" agent as well (this means HostMonitor sends request to backup RMA when cannot establish connection with primary agent). Plus HostMonitor sends request to 2nd RMA every time primary RMA returns "bad" test result (e.g. "No answer", "Unknown host", "Bad"). This means test can be performed from 2 different locations and "Bad" status will be used when both checks performed by both agents fail. Yes, you can use "master-dependant" test relations for such checks and for other much more complicated schemes. However new option allows you to simplify setup, you need just 1 test item instead of 2 items.
    The following table illustrates how HostMonitor performs test using 2 agents in "Redundant check" mode:
    1st RMA result2nd RMA resultTest status
    "Good" status Not used "Good" status
    "Unknown" status "Good" status "Good" status
    "Unknown" status   "Unknown" status   "Unknown" status  
    "Unknown" status "Bad" status "Bad" status
    "Bad" status "Bad" status "Bad" status
    "Bad" status "Unknown" status"Bad" status
    "Bad" status "Good" status "Good" status

  2. "Use folder-specific agent" option
    New "Use folder-specific agent" option allows you to select Remote Monitoring Agent (RMA) on per-folder basis.
    For each test item you may set "Test by" property using "HostMonitor" option or some specific remote monitoring agent (just like using older version of HostMonitor). Plus new version of the software allows you to choose "folder-specific agent" item for "Test by" test property. In such case HostMonitor will use agent specified for the folder where test item is located. If you move or copy test item from one folder to another, HostMonitor will use agent selected for new parent folder.
    Also, there is new SetFolderAgent command supported by HM Script. Now you may use script to copy folders and subfolders, change some variables (e.g. target host name or IP address), change agent and copy test items that will inherit new settings automatically.

  3. Log Analyzer collects information differently considering TestID as property with higher priority.
    In particular this means you will see single item in the report even if you renamed this test item several times. Log Analyzer will show latest used test name but collect test statistics using all recorded names. Also, if you have 2 test items with the same name, Log Analyzer will show 2 items separating statistics using TestID.

    If you setup ODBC log profile without using TestID field, Log Analyzer will process data provided by such log in different way. It will collect statistics using test name and test method. E.g. you will see several items for single TCP test when port specified for the test was changed or test name was changed. Note: Log Analyzer displays warning when you "forget" to specify TestID field however it allows you to save and use such profile.

    Note 1: if you change some important test parameters (e.g. change TCP port for TCP test method), test method field will not show any port number for this item (because different ports were in use).
    Note 2: If you are running several instances of HostMonitor using different test lists (HML files), please use separate log files as well.

    Note 3: If you have used White or Black list for your report profiles, new Log Analyzer will import such lists automatically and it will try to find appropriate IDs for items listed in "old" report profiles using latest recorded test name and method description.
    If test ID could not be found (e.g. test is not included into latest/current log file or log file is not loaded), such items will be displayed in grey color. You may check if you need these items and either remove items; replace with up-to-date test items (remove old and add new one); or keep list as is (if you want to analyze and create reports for old log files). In any case you should click "Save" button to save imported and transformed list.

Improvements  GUI improvements
  1. HostMonitor and Web Service: new code reduces network traffic and CPU load when you are using Web Service, especially when you setup many thousands test items and several operators work with web interface simultaneously

  2. HostMonitor and RCC: many GUI functions were optimized for better speed. You may not feel this when you have just 100 folders and 1000 test items but you should see improvements when your test list contains around 5,000 folders and 50,000 test items (or more). Especially when "folders: use colors" option is enabled

  3. HostMonitor and RCC: Auditing Tool provides new page "Recent sys log". Here you can see up to 128 recent records from system log. This is especially useful when you are connecting to HostMonitor from remote system using RCC and you do not have access to system log file itself

  4. HostMonitor and RCC: Auditing Tool provides new page "Performance history". Here you may check HostMonitor performance charts for:
    - number of "good" test results
    - number of "unknown" test results
    - number of "bad" test results
    - number of executed "good" action
    - number of executed "bad" action
    - ATC time (Average Time Consumption) consumed by started actions
    - number of log records with test results
    - number of system log records
    - ATC time (Average Time Consumption) consumed by logging
    These charts can be created for last 24 or 48 hours; for last 14 or 30 days.

  5. RCC: new function "Import from text file on HM system" available thru menu File. It allows you to import test settings using text file located on system where HostMonitor is running. You may select any import file and tell application to keep or skip duplicates. Import statistics will be displayed on screen right away; errors and warnings can be checked by using Auditing Tool or system log file.

  6. RCC: new function "Import from text file on RCC system" available thru menu File. It allows you to import test settings using text file located on system where RCC is running. This function works like HostMonitor analogue with one disadvantage: you cannot use CreateFolder commands in import file, yet

  7. HostMonitor, RCC: New popup menu "Copy" allows you to copy folders with (or without) subfolder, copy folder with tests, copy folders and subfolder with tests. You may edit folder properties (e.g. change folder-level variables) before HostMonitor will copy test items.

  8. HostMonitor, RCC: new popup menu items allow moving actions up and down in the list when several actions have the same start condition (e.g. start after 2nd consecutive bad result).
    Note: for most actions (with the same starting condition) changing starting order does not make any difference because HostMonitor executes actions simultaneously (in background). However for the following actions this makes sense because HostMonitor does not start other actions until one of these actions completed:
    - Generate reports
    - SQL Query
    - Run HM Script
    For example, you may setup alert profile that will generate report files and send reports using "Send E-Mail" action.

  9. HostMonitor, RCC: new popup menu item allows you to copy actions from "bad" to "good" and from "good" to "bad" sections of the same action profile.

  10. HostMonitor, RMA Manager: now you may scroll list of supported/enabled tests and actions for selected agent

  11. HostMonitor, RCC, WMI Explorer: when you setup WMI test, call WMI Explorer and change the authentication level or namespace for WMI connection, WMI Explorer will pass new parameters back to Test Properties dialog.

  12. HostMonitor, RCC: Test Info dialog shows table with data retrieved from SNMP agent for SNMP Table test items. For each retrieved counter, it shows OID, current value, previous value and difference. HostMonitor/RCC allows you to sort items by each parameter; also you may copy data to clipboard as CSV (comma separated values) or TSV (tab separated values) list

  13. HostMonitor: some changes in algorithm that defines HostMonitor behavior when HostMonitor application is being closed or restarted by local or remote operator or Windows call:
    • If local user closes HostMonitor application and chooses to save changes in test list on application prompt and HostMonitor cannot save file, then HostMonitor does not quit and allows you to fix the problem or use "Save As" option to save test list using different file.
    • If remote user reloads HostMonitor (or HostMonitor is being stopped because system is being restarted) and test list was not modified but HostMonitor cannot save updated statistics, HostMonitor quits anyway (old version displayed warning as well but did not quit until local user fix the problem).
    • However if remote user reloads HostMonitor and test list was modified and HostMonitor cannot save these modifications into file then HostMonitor does not quit until local operator will fix the problem or will use "Save As" option to save test list using different file.
    • If local user started HostMonitor application that in turn stopped HostMonitor service and Windows is being shutdown or reboot while this instance of HostMonitor application is running, HostMonitor application will not prompt user and will not try to start HostMonitor service.

  14. HostMonitor: other minor GUI improvements

  15. Log Analyzer and Log Visualizer: support 6 new tests

  16. Log Analyzer and Log Visualizer: can process test results in binary format (such test reply can be generated by "Tune up Reply" option or custom scripts)

  17. WMI Explorer: new popup menu item "Sort alphabetically" allows you to sort list of methods for selected class

  18. RMA Manager: if application cannot save modifications into agents.lst file when you close RMA Manager, it asks if you want to close program anyway (old version could not be closed unless you fix the problem)

  19. If RMA Manager cannot save GUI settings into rma_mgr.ini file when you close application, it shows warning but allows you to close program anyway (old version displayed warning message as well but you could not close application unless you fix the problem)

  20. The same modification implemented for WMI Explorer, MIB Browser and Process Meter: if application cannot save GUI settings into INI file, you still able to close application (useful when you start application from some read-only flash drive)

  21. Web Service: Test Info page shows table with data retrieved from SNMP agent for SNMP Table test items .It shows OID, current value, previous value and difference for each retrieved counter.

  22. Web Service: undocumented option allows you to change titles for comment lines displayed on "Test info" pages. "Undocumented" means the option is not accessible thru GUI however you may add line like AlternativeCommentTitles=address;phone;admin_name;admin_e-mail into [Misc] section of webservice.ini file and restart Web Service.
    Then on "Test Info" pages you will see "address" instead of "Comment 1", "phone" instead of "Comment 2", "admin name" instead of "Comment 3" and so on.
    Note: If there is just 1 comment line specified for the test, Web Service shows "Comment" field regardless of AlternativeCommentTitles

New features  User operations log
  1. There is new kind of the log: user operations log. Now HostMonitor may record operations performed by local or remote operators, operations performed by HM Script or HostMonitor itself. It records information about enabled and disabled test items, paused and refreshed items, removed folders and tests, modified folders, views and tests, started scripts, import operations and so on. Each type of operation has its own ID. List of such operations listed in the manual (Appendix #2).

    For each operation HostMonitor records:
    • Event time
    • Operator type (HostMonitor, local operator, remote operator, HM Script, import procedure)
    • Unique ID of the operator and operator's name (for local and remote operators)
    • Operation ID and operation name (XML log file contains operation ID only)
    • Item ID (usually this is test ID or folder ID, e.g. if you move test item, this field will show test ID)
    • Result (Done, Rejected or Failed)
    • Description (may contain test name, folder name, some comments)

    You may choose 4 different formats for this log file:
    • Text - simple TSV (tab separated values) text file
    • DBF - dBase file that can be opened by various database applications including Excel and Access
    • HTML - Hypertext Markup Language, can be viewed by any modern web browser
    • XML - the most versatile file format. It can be used for data import and processing; also data from XML file can be displayed directly by web browsers. There is userlogstyle1.xsl file - sample XSLT file (styles for XML file) that can be used with XML log. You may easily modify these styles or create your own styles and filters.
      Also for group operations (e.g. you pause or disable set of selected test items) this format provides most compact records.

    You may choose what operations should be recorded (filter by operation result)
    • Successful
    • Rejected
    • Failed

    You may choose "operation source" that should be recorded:
    • HostMonitor (e.g. HostMonitor itself may load specified test list on startup)
    • Local operators (operators that work directly with HostMonitor console)
    • Remote operators (users connected thru RCC, Web Service or Telnet Service)
    • HM Script
    • Import procedure

    Also you may enable "Include list of tests" option for group (bulk) operations such as:
    • Tests imported from text file
    • Folder refreshed
    • Folder resetted
    • Folder enabled
    • Folder disabled
    • Folder removed
    • Folder copied
    E.g. if you enable "Folder disabled" item in this filter, HostMonitor will record list of disabled tests when you perform "Disable this folder" operation. Otherwise HostMonitor will write just 1 record with information about disabled folder.

    Log setting located on System Log page in HostMonitor Options dialog.

New features  New HM Script commands and parameters
  1. New RefreshIrregularTestByID command works similar to RefreshTestByID command - it tells HostMonitor to perform test probe immediately. In contrast to RefreshTestByID command, it can force execution even for test items that were configured with Irregular schedule

  2. New SetFolderAgent command allows you to set Remote Monitoring Agent for specific folder.
    Command format: SetFolderAgent <fullpath>|<folderID> <agentname> [UnlessInherited]
    You may specify folder using full path or using folder ID; specify agent using its name.
    Optional "UnlessInherited" parameter tells HostMonitor to check agent used by parent folder and set (when possible) "Inherit agent from parent" option instead of changing folder-specific agent. If "UnlessInherited" is not specified then HostMonitor will set specified agent regardless of parent agent.

  3. 4 new commands allow you to copy folders, subfolders and test items
    Command ParametersDescription
    CopyFolder [-r]
    <srcname>|<id>|<full_path>
    <newname>|<newfullpath>    		 Optional parameter "-r" tells HostMonitor to copy folder with its subfolders.
    Source folder can be specified by name (if this folder located within current parent folder - folder selected by SetCurrentFolder command); folder ID or full path to the folder.
    Target folder can be specified by name or full path.
    CopyTest <testname>|<groupname>
    <dest_folder_fullpath>|<folderid>    		 Copy specific test or group of tests (e.g. all Ping tests) into specified folder.
    Destination folder can be specified by full path or folder ID.
    CopyTestByID   <testid>
    <dest_folder_fullpath>|<folderid>      		 Copy single test specified by ID into target folder.
    CopyAllTests [-r]
    [-skipduplicates]
    <dest_folder_fullpath>|<folderid>    		 Copy all test items from current folder (and optionally subfolders) into target folder.
    These commands allow you to create tests for new servers automatically in response to some event or copy tests using e-mail message sent to HostMonitor. E.g. you may setup template items then use CopyFolder, SetFolderVariable, SetFolderAgent and CopyAllTests commands to create complete set of tests for new server.
    Example:
       CopyFolder -r Root\ServerTemplate Root\SQLServer2
       SetCurrentFolder Root\SQLServer2
       SetFolderVariable host 10.10.0.11 -inheritpartly
       SetFolderAgent Root\SQLServer2 "active 2"
       SetCurrentFolder Root\ServerTemplate
       CopyTests -r _AllPing Root\SQLServer2
       CopyTests -r _AllODBC Root\SQLServer2
       CopyTests -r _AllCPU Root\SQLServer2
       SetCurrentFolder Root\SQLServer2
       IncludeSubfolders yes
       EnableAllTests
  4. New parameters can be used with RefreshTest, ResetTest, DisableTest, EnableTest, PauseTest, ResumeTest, SetTestParam and ReplaceTestParam commands:
    _AllSOAP applies command for all SOAP test items within selected folder
    _AllEMail applies command for all E-Mail test items within selected folder
    _AllCertificate   applies command for all Certificate Expiration test items within selected folder
    _AllDomain applies command for all Domain Expiration test items within selected folder
    _AllRegistry applies command for all Registry test items within selected folder
    _AllSNMPTable applies command for all SNMP Table test items within selected folder

  5. Multiline variables supported, e.g. you may use %MailBody% or %HttpPage% variables as body of the script. This way you may setup HostMonitor to receive HM Script commands from mail server (see E-Mail test) or from some page on your web server and execute these commands. In other words, you may send e-mail with HM Script commands to HostMonitor and it will execute your e-mail.
    E.g. you may setup HostMonitor to inform you about problems by e-mail and you may respond to HostMonitor by e-mail as well (e.g. pause or acknowledge failed items). Even more, HostMonitor may send confirmation back to you (e.g. you may assign to E-Mail test 2 actions: "Execute HM script" action and "Send e-mail" action using %MailFrom% variable as recipient's address).

    If there is some invalid command within such multiline variable, HostMonitor will record information into system log file (as usually). Error description will tell you what exactly command within multiline variable is invalid and display 2 numbers (e.g. line #1:2) where 1st number represents line within HM script file where variable specified; 2nd number represents line within variable where invalid command specified.

    Note: for security reasons commands StartProgram and ExecuteProgram restricted for HM Scripts when such commands specified within mail body, mail subject, HTTP page or HTTP header.
    You may define parameters of StartProgram and ExecuteProgram commands using variables (e.g. StartProgram %MailSubj%), in such case HostMonitor will start external application specified in your e-mail but we do NOT RECOMMEND using such scripts for security reasons.
    Also, please make sure you are using mail servers with secure connection!

New features  New variables
  1. New variables for E-Mail test method (these variables can be used as parameters of actions assigned to E-Mail test items)
    %MailFROM%   Represents address of the sender
    %MailTO% Represents recipient address
    %MailSUBJ% Shows e-mail subject
    %MailBODY% Returns e-mail body (up to 16KB)

  2. New variables for Certificate Expiration test method (these variables can be used as parameters of actions assigned to Certificate Expiration test items)
    %CERTISSUER% Shows information about the certificate issuer
    %CERTSUBJECT% Shows information about the certificate subject
    %CERTISSUERSHORT% Short information about the certificate issuer
    %CERTSUBJECTSHORT%   Short information about the certificate subject
    %CERTVALIDFROM% Shows the date that the certificate issuer specified as the start date for the certificate.
    %CERTVALIDTILL% Shows expiration date for the certificate

  3. New variables for Domain Expiration test method (these variables can be used as parameters of actions assigned to Domain Expiration test items)
    %DOMAINNAME% Domain name specified for the test
    %DOMAINEXPIRATIONDATE%   Expiration date for specified domain

  4. New variables for NT Event Log test method provide information about previous detected event:
    %PrevNTEventSource%   Event source. Identifies the software that logged the event
    %PrevNTEventComp% Name of the computer where the event occurred
    %PrevNTEventTime% Time of the event
    %PrevNTEventType% Type of the event
    %PrevNTEventID% Event identifier
    %PrevNTEventText% Event description
    %PrevNTEventUser% Provides user name if the event is attributed to a specific user

  5. The following variables can be used as parameters of actions assigned to file related test methods
    %FileName% Shows name of the file that was used for test probe. Useful when you are using variables or wildcards in filename (instead of static name).
    Now this variable can be used for File/Folder Availability, Text Log, Folder/File Size and Compare Files test methods.
    %FileName2%   Shows name of the 2nd file (if any) specified for Compare Files test method. Useful when you are using variables or wildcards in filename (instead of static name).
    Note: These variables provide information about file when tests performed by HostMonitor directly or tests performed by Passive or Active RMA for Windows. Variables return empty string when tests performed by RMA for UNIX.

  6. Another 72 new variables provide access to test statistics, you may access min/max/average reply and alive/dead/unknown ratio for each test and check counters using several time intervals.
    Today's test results Yesterday's results
    %StatTODAY_MinReply% %StatYESTERDAY_MinReply%
    %StatTODAY_MaxReply% %StatYESTERDAY_MaxReply%
    %StatTODAY_AverageReply% %StatYESTERDAY_AverageReply%
    %StatTODAY_AliveRatio% %StatYESTERDAY_AliveRatio%
    %StatTODAY_DeadRatio% %StatYESTERDAY_DeadRatio%
    %StatTODAY_UnknownRatio% %StatYESTERDAY_UnknownRatio%
    Results for last 24 hours Results for last 48 hours
    %Stat24Hours_MinReply% %Stat48Hours_MinReply%
    %Stat24Hours_MaxReply% %Stat48Hours_MaxReply%
    %Stat24Hours_AverageReply% %Stat48Hours_AverageReply%
    %Stat24Hours_AliveRatio% %Stat48Hours_AliveRatio%
    %Stat24Hours_DeadRatio% %Stat48Hours_DeadRatio%
    %Stat24Hours_UnknownRatio% %Stat48Hours_UnknownRatio%
    Results for current week Results for last week
    %StatThisWeek_MinReply% %StatLASTWeek_MinReply%
    %StatThisWeek_MaxReply% %StatLASTWeek_MaxReply%
    %StatThisWeek_AverageReply% %StatLASTWeek_AverageReply%
    %StatThisWeek_AliveRatio% %StatLASTWeek_AliveRatio%
    %StatThisWeek_DeadRatio% %StatLASTWeek_DeadRatio%
    %StatThisWeek_UnknownRatio% %StatLASTWeek_UnknownRatio%
    Results for last 7 days Results for last 14 days
    %Stat7Days_MinReply% %Stat14Days_MinReply%
    %Stat7Days_MaxReply% %Stat14Days_MaxReply%
    %Stat7Days_AverageReply% %Stat14Days_AverageReply%
    %Stat7Days_AliveRatio% %Stat14Days_AliveRatio%
    %Stat7Days_DeadRatio% %Stat14Days_DeadRatio%
    %Stat7Days_UnknownRatio% %Stat14Days_UnknownRatio%
    Results for last 30 days Results for last 60 days
    %Stat30Days_MinReply% %Stat60Days_MinReply%
    %Stat30Days_MaxReply% %Stat60Days_MaxReply%
    %Stat30Days_AverageReply% %Stat60Days_AverageReply%
    %Stat30Days_AliveRatio% %Stat60Days_AliveRatio%
    %Stat30Days_DeadRatio% %Stat60Days_DeadRatio%
    %Stat30Days_UnknownRatio% %Stat60Days_UnknownRatio%
    Results for current month Results for last month
    %StatThisMonth_MinReply% %StatLASTMonth_MinReply%
    %StatThisMonth_MaxReply% %StatLASTMonth_MaxReply%
    %StatThisMonth_AverageReply% %StatLASTMonth_AverageReply%
    %StatThisMonth_AliveRatio% %StatLASTMonth_AliveRatio%
    %StatThisMonth_DeadRatio% %StatLASTMonth_DeadRatio%
    %StatThisMonth_UnknownRatio%     %StatLASTMonth_UnknownRatio%    
    These variables can be used for Custom HTML Report templates; also you may create new Views and use these Views for any kind of reports. For example you may create SLA report with test items that show degradation in performance (this week is worse than previous week) using "Select items using expression" option with simple expression: %StatThisWeek_AliveRatio% < %StatLASTWeek_AliveRatio%

  7. Modifications for the following variables:
    %AverageReply%  
    %MinReply%
    %MaxReply%    		 New HostMonitor uses different formats for these variables depending on application. If you are using these variables for Custom HTML Report or HTML e-mail template, HostMonitor will use more "human readable" format. E.g. if variable value is '10485760', HostMonitor will show '10 GB' instead.


New features  New variables for SNMP Table test method
  1. New variables for SNMP Table test method (these variables can be used as parameters of actions assigned to SNMP Table test items)
    %SNMPTable% Shows entire table retrieved from SNMP agent, each row displays <oid> = <value> pair.
    E.g.
    • 1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.2.1 = MS TCP Loopback interface
    • 1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.2.2 = Broadcom NetLink Gigabit Ethernet
    %SNMPTable_Name% Shows table retrieved from SNMP agent, MIB name is displayed instead of OID.
    E.g.
    • iso.org.dod.internet.mgmt.mib-2.interfaces.ifTable.ifEntry.ifDescr.1 = MS TCP Loopback interface
    • iso.org.dod.internet.mgmt.mib-2.interfaces.ifTable.ifEntry.ifDescr.2 = Broadcom NetLink Gigabit Ethernet
    Using the database of compiled MIB files HostMonitor may translate Object Identifiers (OIDs) from its numeric form to a MIB name. If you need to extend the database by including information about MIBs supported by some specific SNMP enabled device, use MIB Browser.
    %SNMPTable_NameShort% Similar to %SNMPTable_Name% but HostMonitor shows the name of SNMP counter (plus index) without names of all parent nodes.
    E.g.
    • ifTable.ifEntry.ifDescr.1 = MS TCP Loopback interface
    • ifTable.ifEntry.ifDescr.2 = Broadcom NetLink Gigabit Ethernet
    %LastSNMPTable% Shows SNMP table retrieved by previous test probe, each row displays <oid> = <value> pair.
    %LastSNMPTable_Name% Shows table retrieved by previous test probe, MIB name is displayed instead of OID.
    %LastSNMPTable_NameShort% Similar to %LastSNMPTable_Name% but HostMonitor shows the name of SNMP counter (plus index) without names of all parent nodes.

    If "Apply filter" test property is enabled, HostMonitor may skip some items from the table (e.g. you may skip all network interfaces with zero incoming traffic). The following variables allow you to retrieve SNMP table without showing these items
    %SNMPFilteredTable% Shows table retrieved from SNMP agent (only items that passed filter), each row displays <oid> = <value> pair.
    %SNMPFilteredTable_Name% Shows table retrieved by test probe (items that passed filter), MIB name is displayed instead of OID
    %SNMPFilteredTable_NameShort% Similar to %SNMPFilteredTable_Name% but HostMonitor shows the name of SNMP counter (plus index) without names of all parent nodes.
    %LastSNMPFilteredTable% Shows table retrieved by previous test probe (only items that passed filter)
    %LastSNMPFiltered Table_Name% Shows table retrieved by previous test probe (items that passed filter), MIB name is displayed instead of OID
    %LastSNMPFiltered Table_NameShort% Similar to %LastSNMPFilteredTable_Name% but HostMonitor shows the name of SNMP counter (plus index) without names of all parent nodes.
    %SNMPFilteredPattern% Shows string like 11010011 where 1 means row of the table passed filter; 0 means row was skipped (such rows are not displayed by %SNMPFiltered*% variables).
    %LastSNMPFilteredPattern% Similar to %SNMPFilteredPattern% variable, shows information about passed and skipped values retrieved by previous test probe.
     
    %SNMPTableDiff% This variable shows only counters that were changed since previous test probe.
    E.g.
    • 1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.10.1 = 2316972916 (previously 2316956889)
    • 1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.10.5 = 2252070440 (previously 2252065336)
    If no counters were changed, variable will return "no items were changed" string.
    %SNMPTableDiff_Name% Similar to %SNMPTableDiff% but MIB name is displayed instead of OID.
    Using the database of compiled MIB files HostMonitor may translate Object Identifiers (OIDs) from its numeric form to a MIB name. If you need to extend the database by including information about MIBs supported by some specific SNMP enabled device, use MIB Browser.
    %SNMPTableDiff_NameShort% Similar to %SNMPTableDiff_Name% but HostMonitor shows the name of SNMP counter (plus index) without names of all parent nodes.
    Note: There is option that allows you to specify how many words (not including trailing indexes that could not be resolved to name) should be displayed by %SNMPTable_NameShort%, %LastSNMPFilteredTable_NameShort% and %SNMPTableDiff_NameShort% variables. This option is not accessible thru GUI however you may add line like snmpShortMibNameLen=3 into [Misc] section hostmon.ini file and restart HostMonitor.

    The following variables provide HTML code that can be used in your HTML reports or HTML e-mails.
    %SNMPFilteredTable_HTML% Shows table with filtered counters (or table with all counters when "Apply filter" option is disabled). For each counter HostMonitor provides the following information:
    • OID and short name
    • Value
    • Previous value
    • Difference
    • Difference percentage wise
    %SNMPTableDiff_HTML% Similar to %SNMPFilteredTable_HTML% but this variable does not include items that were not changed since previous test probe.

    When you are using %SNMPFilteredTable_HTML% or %SNMPTableDiff_HTML% variables in your HTML code, you may define your own styles for the table. You may define 4 classes:
    .snmptable Style for the table
    .snmpheaderStyle for table header
    .snmprow Style for rows, rows with counters that were not changed since previous test probe
    .snmpchangedrow   Style for changed rows, rows with counters that were changed since previous test probe   

    Sample:
    <STYLE TYPE="text/css"> <!--
    .snmptable { padding: 5px; border-top: dotted thin silver; border-bottom: solid medium silver; border-left: dotted thin silver; border-right: solid medium silver }
    .snmpheader { text-align: center; background: #FFFFCC; color: #000000; border-style: inset; border-width: 0 2 2 0; border-color: #333333; }
    .snmprow { font-size: smaller; text-align: center; background: #E9E9E9; color: #000000; border-style: inset; border-width: 0 2 2 0; border-color: #333333; }
    .snmpchangedrow { font-size: smaller; text-align: center; background: #FF0000; color: #FFFFFF; border-style: inset; border-width: 0 2 2 0; border-color: #333333; }
    --></STYLE>

    Also, if you are using "Alert if any item :" mode for SNMP Table test, HostMonitor checks entire table and finds not just a value that fits specified alert threshold but finds the counter that maximally satisfies specified condition.
    For example:
    • If you setup "Alert if any item is < than 1000" condition and SNMP agent returns numbers 2222, 100, 50, 5000 then HostMonitor will report 50 as test result (1st number that fits condition is 100 but HostMonitor will continue scanning and find minimal number 50).
    • If you setup "Alert if any item is > than 1000" condition and SNMP agent returns numbers 2222, 100, 50, 5000 then HostMonitor will report 5000 as test result (not 2222)
    The same rule works when you use "increases by", "decreases by", "changes by %" and other comparative modes - HostMonitor will find counter that increased or decreased maximally (or increased/decreased maximally percentage wise)

    Then you may get additional information about such detected counter using the following variables:
    %MibOid% Represents OID (object identifier) of the variable
    %MibName% Using the database of compiled MIB files HostMonitor may translate %MibOID% from its numeric form to a MIB name. If you need to extend the database by including information about MIBs supported by some specific SNMP enabled device, use MIB Browser
    %MibNameShort% Similar to %MibName% but shows the name of the variable (plus possible index) without names of parent nodes.
    E.g.
    • %MibOID% = .1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.8.1
    • %MibName% = iso.org.dod.internet.mgmt.mib-2.interfaces.ifTable.ifEntry.ifOperStatus.1
    • %MibNameShort% = ifOperStatus.1
    %MibType% Type of the variable
    %MibValue% Variable value
    %MibRelative% Relative value of the variable. If you setup SNMP Table test to check how counters change comparatively to the values received by previous test probes, %MibRelative% may represent:
    • simple difference between current and previous value (if you use "increases by", "decreases by" or "changes by" compare option)
    • relative difference as a percentage of previous value (if you use "increases by (%)", "decreases by (%)" or "changes by (%)" compare option)
    • average increase/decrease of the counter per second since previous test probe (if you use "increases /sec", "decreases /sec" or "changes /sec" compare option)

New features  New operators
  1. Two new operators (getword and endword) can be used for optional status processing, advanced actions and master-dependant expressions:
    • expression like ("string" getword N) returns Nth word from text string counting from the beginning;
    • expression like ("string" endword N) returns Nth word from text string counting from the end of the string
    E.g.
      ('40 F 50' getword 3) returns 50 (third word)
      ('40 F 50' endword 3) returns 40 (3rd word counting from the end of the string)

  2. Also HostMonitor supports numbers in binary format, such number should contain only 0 and 1 and should be finished with 'B' character, e.g. '1110B' or '00101111B'. You may use the same arithmetic operations that you are using for decimal numbers, plus you may use AND, OR and XOR operators to perform bitwise operations, e.g. ('%SuggestedReply%' and '010B')=='010B'.
    When at least one operand of AND/OR/XOR operators specified in binary format, HostMonitor will use binary format for result as well. E.g. (6 and '11111111B') will return '110B'. If you want to convert number in binary format to decimal format, you may use addition (+), subtraction (-) or multiplication operations. E.g. '110B'+0 will return '6'.
    Note: HostMonitor always use decimal format for statistics, charts, etc.

Improvements  Other
  1. HostMonitor started on Windows Vista+ allows 1 additional LOCAL RCC connection regardless of your license type and number of additional RCC licenses

  2. Under some conditions HostMonitor allows to set "tests per second" limit over 128 (limit for "Don't start more than [N] tests per second" option)

  3. Telnet Service supports new command AckTestByID, it allows you acknowledge status for specified test item. Format: AckTestByID [StopAlerts] <comment> <testID> [<testID2> [<testID3> [...]]]

  4. HostMonitor, Telnet Service: improved diagnostic information for ImportFromFile command

Fixed  The following issues were resolved

  1. HostMonitor: If you are using Replace or Modify import mode for "Import tests from text file" function, HostMonitor could modify test items when test with specified name already exists in the folder even if existing test and "import" tests have different types. New version adds new test item in such case but modifies test item when name AND type match.
  2. HostMonitor: old version did not recalculate test name/comment when test name or test comment contains %FolderFullPath% variable and folder is moved to another parent folder. Fixed
  3. HostMonitor: if you disable or enable test item using Test Properties dialog (instead of using more convenient popup menu items or main menu), HostMonitor did not reevaluate folder item color (e.g. parent folder could keep red color while last "bad" test item just disabled). Fixed
  4. HostMonitor: "schedule by expression" function could work incorrectly when expression contains range of week days (e.g. Mon-Wed). Fixed
  5. HostMonitor: "Send SMS (GSM)" action could ignore last phone number when several numbers specified for the action and numbers are separated by semicolon and space at the same time. Fixed
  6. HostMonitor: some corrections related to "optional status processing" expressions and empty strings
  7. HostMonitor/RCC: remote user without allowed "configure tests/folders" permission could use "Resort alphabetically" function for folders and views. Fixed
  8. HostMonitor, RCC: sometimes "Views" could lose "Columns" settings. Fixed
  9. WMI Explorer: old version could shift "value" rows for properties of some classes. Fixed
  10. WMI Explorer: class properties with characters from non-english code page could be displayed incorrectly. Fixed

Version 9.00: there are over 100 modifications since version 8.86:

Archive:
versions 8.00 - 8.86
versions 7.00 - 7.78
versions 6.00 - 6.82
versions 5.00 - 5.92
versions 4.00 - 4.86
versions 0.07 - 3.71

Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional

Copyright (c) 2000-2012 by Advanced Network Software. All Rights Reserved