Remote Sensor Node in NetCrunch

Learn concepts and usage of Remote Probe Node - new type of node added in Netcrunch 10.

What is a Remote Sensor Node

Remote Sensor Node is a new type of node introduced in NetCrunch 10. While most of the monitored elements in NetCrunch are 'pooled' for data (Active Monitoring), Remote Sensor Node takes different approach to monitoring, it waits for data to be pushed to it (Passive Monitoring) Such feature has been introduced in NetCrunch before (Generic Agent Data Sensor) but it could be added to IP nodes only.

Since Remote Sensor Node is monitored passively it can represent any device or process. It doesn't require data like IP Address, type of OS etc. Status of this node is based on its Leading sensor status, so if the sensor is in a warning state, the whole node will be in a warning state.

In version 10.2 Remote Sensor Node has two sensors available:

• Static Status Sensor
• Generic Agent Data sensor

Adding and configuring Remote Sensor Node

Adding Remote Sensor Node is pretty straightforward, simply click on + menu in the top right corner and select Remote Sensor Node

A new window will appear which lets you add the sensor, additionally, you can set icon, display name or identifier in Properties tab. Additionally, you can set Custom Fields and Notes as in any other node

What are the use cases of Remote Sensor Node

Since node only waits for data to be received, it doesn't need to know the IP address of the entity that is sending data to it.

Monitoring data can come from a node directly connected to the internet such as mobile device, kiosk, camera or any hardware sensor or it can represent the status of some internal process in the company so instead of integrating the whole process in a complex way, simple REST message with status can get things done.

Using Raspberry Pi as a temperature sensor

Raspberry Pi can be used in many different ways. This particular case will show you how to use it to measure temperature in the server room.

In this particular case Digital temperature sensor - DS18B20 is used. It is fairly easy to connect. This article is the great source of information what is needed to make it work along with sample script written in Python to read data from it.

After successful configuration - the only thing that remains is to send data to NetCrunch Generic Sensor.

The easiest way to do it - is to modify script slightly to make it pack data read from the sensor and send it as JSON to NetCrunch.

Use NetCrunch JSON data format if possible

Before sending data to NetCrunch;

1. Add Remote Sensor Node
2. (Optional) Change the display name of the sensor node in Properties - Use something like Raspberry Temperature Sensor and change the icon.
3. Add Generic Agent Sensor
4. Type the Name of the sensor
5. Write down a path where to send data
6. Save

If you send data to a path you wrote - counters will automatically appear in performance.

The last thing is to add Your script to Crontab - to make it execute automatically.

Now if you combine multiple sensors from various sources - you can create such views:

This feature requires NetCrunch version 10.1+

remote sensor nodeviewswidgets