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What is the multi-platform probe and how can I use it?

Votes:

0

I want to use the multi-platform probe. What do I need to know?

linux nats probe prtg

Created on Nov 16, 2021 6:33:00 AM by  Florian Weik (1,927) 2 2

Last change on Feb 16, 2024 7:50:28 PM by  Fruzsina Ébelle [Paessler Support]



17 Replies

Accepted Answer

Votes:

1

This article applies as of PRTG 23 and multi-platform probe 0.19.0

The multi-platform probe for Paessler PRTG

With PRTG 21.4.73, we introduced the multi-platform probe for Paessler PRTG (hereafter referred to as the multi-platform probe) to extend the native monitoring capabilities on non-Windows platforms, for example Linux, Raspberry Pi, or NAS systems.


Content

  1. Disclaimer
  2. Supported platforms
  3. Limitations
  4. Components
  5. Future

Important:


1. Disclaimer


The multi-platform probe is currently in beta. Unexpected issues can occur. We do not recommend that you use the feature on your production system.


2. Supported platforms


Disclaimer: We officially support the operating systems mentioned in the table below. You can try to run it on different operating systems at your own risk.

Multi-platform probes

Operating System (OS)OS VersionArchitectureComment
Ubuntu LinuxUbuntu 20.04
Ubuntu 22.04
• ARMv7 (32-bit)
• ARMv8 (32-bit, 64-bit)
• x86-64
Requires glibc as of version 2.28
Debian Linux• Debian 10
• Debian 11
• Debian 12
• ARMv7 (32-bit)
• ARMv8 (32-bit, 64-bit)
• x86-64
Requires glibc as of version 2.28
RHEL/CentOS• RHEL 8.4
• CentOS 8
x86-64Requires glibc as of version 2.28
Raspberry PI OSDebian 11• ARMv7 (32bit)
• ARMv8 (32-bit, 64-bit)
Supported models:
• RPi 2 Model B
• RPi 2 Model B v1.2
• RPi 3 Model B
• RPi 3 Model B+
• RPi 4 Model B

NATS server and probe adapter

Operating System (OS)OS VersionArchitecture
Microsoft WindowsServer 2022x86-64
Microsoft WindowsServer 2019x86-64
Microsoft Windows10 Version 21H1x86-64

3. Limitations

As the multi-platform probe is currently in beta, the features are limited. The following features are currently not supported:

  • Paessler PRTG Hosted Monitor is not yet supported.
  • Only the most recent version of PRTG is supported.
  • Clusters aren't supported.
  • Probes cannot be updated automatically.
  • The auto-discovery, template, and System Information features are not yet available.
  • Multi-platform probes currently support the following sensors:
Beckhoff IPC System Health
Cisco Meraki License
Cisco Meraki Network Health
Cloud HTTP v2
Cloud Ping v2
Dell EMC Unity Enclosure Health v2
Dell EMC Unity File System v2
Dell EMC Unity Storage Capacity v2
Dell EMC Unity Storage LUN v2
Dell EMC Unity Storage Pool v2
Dell EMC Unity VMware Datastore v2
DNS v2
FortiGate System Statistics
FortiGate VPN Overview
HTTP v2
Local Folder
Modbus RTU Custom
Modbus TCP Custom
MQTT Round Trip
MQTT Statistics
MQTT Subscribe Custom
Multi-Platform Probe Health
NetApp Aggregate v2
NetApp I/O v2
NetApp LIF v2
NetApp LUN v2
NetApp NIC v2
NetApp Physical Disk v2
NetApp SnapMirror v2
NetApp System Health v2
NetApp Volume v2
Network Share
OPC UA Certificate
OPC UA Custom
OPC UA Server Status
Ping
Ping v2
Port v2
Redfish Power Supply
Redfish System Health
Redfish Virtual Disk
REST Custom v2
Script v2
SNMP Custom v2
SNMP Disk Free v2
SNMP Traffic v2
SNMP Uptime v2
Soffico Orchestra Channel Health
Soffico Orchestra Scenario
System Health v2
  • Simulated error states do not have an effect.
  • The system time between probes and the PRTG core server are not synchronized. The probe always uses the time zone that the PRTG core server uses. This can cause gaps in graphs if the connection between the probe and the PRTG core server was lost.

4. Components

The multi-platform probe consists of three different components:

  1. NATS server
    • The NATS server handles the communication between multi-platform probes and the PRTG core server.
  2. Probe adapter
    • The probe adapter on the PRTG core server system. This is integrated with PRTG and can be configured directly from the PRTG web interface.
  3. Multi-platform probe
    • The multi-platform probe is where the actual monitoring takes place.
      Multi-Platform Probe Graphic
      Click to enlarge.

5. Future

The multi-platform probe is currently limited with its supported features. We plan to introduce support for templates, auto-discovery, and other features. This will extend the available sensors on the probes by the following sensor families: Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Veeam. We are also exploring more operating systems and platforms to support. You can keep up with developments to the multi-platform probe through the PRTG roadmap.

Send us your feedback through the Multi-platform probe survey. We would love to hear about what else you would like to see on the multi-platform probe.

Created on Nov 16, 2021 6:35:16 AM by  Florian Weik (1,927) 2 2

Last change on Feb 28, 2024 10:31:15 PM by  Jacqueline Conforti [Paessler Support]



Votes:

0

Hi... This is a great improvement for PRTG...

Before we can start relying on this great new approach...

  1. What is the schedule for moving it into production ?
  2. Is NATS the choice of Messaging finalized ?
  3. Are there other options for messaging(MQTT) ?
  4. Are you going to integrate the Probe adapter into the base product ?

More to come... Thanks JR

Created on Nov 30, 2022 4:40:58 PM by  JR Andreassen (10) 2



Votes:

1

Hi...

A couple of more questions for your FAQ :

  1. When will it be possible to run custom EXE/XML sensors from MPP.
  2. Is there a way to create custom sensors for the MPP ?
  3. Is there a published interface for creating custom sensors ?
    • When will it be available ?

Thanks JR

Created on Nov 30, 2022 4:45:51 PM by  JR Andreassen (10) 2



Votes:

0

Hi JR!

Hope you are well. At the moment, our development works on a broader feature set for the Multi-Platform-Probe. However, we have no timeline or ETA when new features or the BETA status starts.

Created on Dec 5, 2022 9:24:35 AM by  Moritz Heller [Paessler Support]



Votes:

0

Hello
I can't download the Linux Install script because there seems to be a problem with the certificate chain of your download page (https://download3.paessler.com/). --> This server's certificate chain is incomplete.
Can you please fix this.
Thank you.
Best Regards,
Alain

Created on Dec 28, 2022 3:01:35 PM



Votes:

0

Hello,

please provide the full link of the resource which cannot be downloaded.

Created on Dec 30, 2022 5:45:45 PM by  Arne Seifert [Paessler Support]



Votes:

0

Sorry for my late reply.
I forgot to subscribe to this KB post and didn't received an email.
It was the link https://download3.paessler.com/beta/prtgmpprobe/linux/install-mpp-nats.sh that didn't worked. In the meantime it works again. It looks like your certificate chain is now corrected.
Best Regards,
Alain

Created on Feb 8, 2023 2:00:56 PM



Votes:

0

Hello Alain,

thank you for the reply.

Created on Feb 8, 2023 4:24:48 PM by  Arne Seifert [Paessler Support]



Votes:

0

Hello, i use a Multi-Platform-Probe on a Debian 11. I try to add a ping-sensor but it not show in the available sensor types. It only shows the Cloud Ping v2 Sensor. What am I doing wrong?

Created on Mar 14, 2023 2:56:03 PM



Votes:

0

Hi there,

Please try to search for Ping v2 Sensor.

Thank you!

Created on Mar 15, 2023 9:22:38 AM by  Moritz Heller [Paessler Support]



Votes:

0

Ping v2 Sensor is not available. I've look at other probes (Windows), here is the Ping v2 Sensor also not available. It seems the Ping v2 Sensor is general not avail in my system. My Version of PRTG Network Monitor is 23.1.82.2175

Created on Mar 15, 2023 10:31:38 AM



Votes:

0

Hi esauerbier,
The Ping v2 sensor is still declared as 'Beta'.
Please note that you will only see the Ping v2 sensor if you have enabled the experimental features.
You can activate the beat sensors as follows:
Setup | Monitoring | Experimental Features | Beta Sensors --> Enable
Best Regards,
Alain

Created on Mar 15, 2023 6:16:03 PM



Votes:

0

Hi Alain,

thank you, that was the solution. Now i can add a Ping v2 Sensor on my Multi Platform Probe.

Created on Mar 16, 2023 9:10:17 AM



Votes:

2

Are there any plans to support more sensors using the multi platform probe?, specifically SNMP and Custom EXE/XML?

Created on Apr 14, 2023 5:18:37 AM



Votes:

0

Regarding your question about the Multi-Platform Probe for PRTG Hosted Monitor, we are currently working on supporting the Multi-Platform Probe for Linux systems in our plan. However, we do not have any specific dates for including SNMP and Custom EXE/XML sensors to the Multi-Platform Probe at the moment. We would appreciate your feedback on this matter through our survey, and we recommend keeping an eye on our PRTG roadmap for the latest updates on our upcoming plans.

Created on Apr 21, 2023 3:20:02 PM by  Ivan Escalante [Paessler Support]



Votes:

1

Most devices have some SNMP options, this would be great if this were supported. Maybe the ScriptV2 sensor would play as a middleware or a workaround until if and when it is supported...

Created on May 10, 2023 11:34:37 PM



Votes:

0

Thank you for your feedback, we would also appreciate your comment through our survey, and we recommend keeping an eye on our PRTG roadmap for the latest updates on our upcoming plans.

Created on May 16, 2023 5:34:42 PM by  Ivan Escalante [Paessler Support]




Disclaimer: The information in the Paessler Knowledge Base comes without warranty of any kind. Use at your own risk. Before applying any instructions please exercise proper system administrator housekeeping. You must make sure that a proper backup of all your data is available.