Win2K3 - Monitoring Windows Services and Exchange 2003

[kbc]

Hi, Can anyone recommend a decent tool from which I can monitor Windows Services. Especially on our Exchange 2003 server. If there was a way it could alert the administrators through some method - this would be beneficial.

It would also help if I could monitor all Windows services across multiple servers to ensure everything is functioning correctly.

I have a question regarding Exchange Server Standard 2003, our stores are regularly dismounting, now I understand that it dismounts when physical capacity is being peaked. However, am I right in saying that if the database file and the streaming file exceeds the 75GB threshold, it dismounts that particular store?

Are there any other recommended tools to ensure a fast/efficient operation of our Exchange server?

 

[sidethink]

I'm afraid its been a little while since I managed Exchange in anger so I can't really help with the second half of your question; though 75GB sounds like a huge amount of mail for Exchange Standard edition.

However, if you are willing to put a little work in and have a spare PC lying around, Nagios can monitor critical services as long as you are happy to install the agent. Its very good indeed for such a 'young' application. You can set it to alert you through various means, including sending mail and SMS.

 

[mr.bond]

There's no end of applications which allow you to monitor windows services and feature proactive alerting. Try googling for "windows service monitoring" (without quotes) for a few minutes and you'll see lots.

 

[oddjob62]

I have a question regarding Exchange Server Standard 2003, our stores are regularly dismounting, now I understand that it dismounts when physical capacity is being peaked. However, am I right in saying that if the database file and the streaming file exceeds the 75GB threshold, it dismounts that particular store?

It used to be 14 (or was it 16) gigs.. until Ex2003 SP2. You need to add a regkey to bump up the maximum though.

http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials...mit-changes-Exchange-2003-Service-Pack-2.html

 

[DustyMiller]

We use Microsoft System Centre Essentials upto 30 servers, and 500 workstations.

Manages everything on them from service stop start, to a full blown WSUS install plus the ability to do software / hardware reporting, and .msi / .exe installations, like a mini SMS server.

 

[^^Gord^^]

I'm a big fan of Ops Manager 2007 but it may be overkill for you.

As DustyMiller has said System Centre Essentials would be a better fit.

 

[Stolly]

We use Microsoft System Centre Essentials upto 30 servers, and 500 workstations.

Manages everything on them from service stop start, to a full blown WSUS install plus the ability to do software / hardware reporting, and .msi / .exe installations, like a mini SMS server.

This if you have budget.

If you want free, try Nagios. Its actually more powerful than System Centre Essentials, if not quite as easy to implement and not quite as pretty.