A network service is an application running at the network application layer and above that provides data storage, manipulation, presentation, or communication. It is often implemented using client-server or peer-to-peer architecture based on application-layer network protocols. Windows services are critical processes that support vital server functionality. Sometimes these services fail to start or they stop working. These services need to be monitored constantly with a Windows service monitoring tool to prevent costly system and network outages.
If a network were a human body, services would be the blood vessels responsible for the exchange of material between blood and tissue cells. Troubleshooting a service outage would be the angioplasty the network needs to begin running smoothly again. Service monitoring is critical to keeping the network functioning properly, just as routine doctor’s checkups are critical to keeping the human body healthy. This imagery should be enough to emphasize the importance of service monitoring in general and Windows service monitoring in particular.
What should you monitor in your Windows services?
Windows services are a core component of the Microsoft Windows operating system, and they enable the creation and management of processes. Windows service monitoring software should:
- Monitor the availability and response times of FTP, DHCP, DNS, RPC, Telnet, MySQL, etc.
- Monitor Windows services, notify you if they go down, and allow you to shut them down or pause one whenever needed.
- Monitor the uplink dependency of network devices to reveal which device might be down due to a fault in a dependent service.
OpManager’s Windows services monitoring capabilities
Generate dedicated reports on the availability of Windows services
You can generate reports on availability and other metrics within OpManager. OpManager is a Windows service monitor that helps you identify performance degradation in the long run. This allows your IT manager or team to make informed and data-driven troubleshooting decisions.
Troubleshoot Windows service availability issues using workflow automation
OpManager’s workflow builder feature lets you design custom workflows. There are simple, drag-and-drop actions to Get Active Services, Pause a Service, Restart Service, Resume a Service, Start a Service, Stop a Service, and Test a Service. This makes service monitoring easy and effective.
Monitor the availability of Windows services and receive alerts
Using OpManager, you can monitor the availability of the Windows services running in your networks in real time and receive instant alerts on service failures. Color-coded alerts are the best way to prioritize what data to look at and what services to restart if needed.
Monitoring Windows services to ensure optimal network performance is just one of many tasks that a multifaceted tool like OpManager is capable of performing.To experience for yourself how OpManager helps you manage your network better, download a free, 30-day trial or register for a free, personalized demo.
Check out this video to learn more about OpManager’s Windows service monitoring feature:
