Scope of the Case Study

Nagios and NNA Deployment Support

Introduction

A leading global manufacturing organization operating in India requires a robust and reliable monitoring solution to manage its IT infrastructure. With over 2,000 devices spanning OS, hardware, network, storage, and applications, the challenge was to deploy an advanced monitoring setup tailored for their air-gapped environment. Partnering with large corporate clients, the client entrusted the deployment of Nagios XI and Nagios Network Analyzer (NNA) to ensure comprehensive monitoring and optimized performance.

Project Overview

  • Type: Nagios XI and NNA implementation for air-gapped environments
  • Duration: 6 months
  • Man Months: 12
  • Devices Monitored: 2,000+

The project aimed to deploy a robust monitoring infrastructure using two Nagios XI platforms and one NNA platform, providing the client with a reliable solution for their critical IT operations.

Scope and Objectives

The project scope was extensive, covering a wide range of devices and platforms. Key objectives included:

  • Deploying two Nagios XI instances and one NNA instance for efficient monitoring.
  • Ensuring seamless integration for monitoring network switches, routers, firewalls, Ubuntu, RHEL, Windows, VMware platforms, and storage devices.
  • Customizing metrics and alerts tailored to the unique needs of an air-gapped environment.
  • Delivering network maps, visualization tools, and advanced monitoring metrics for proactive issue identification and resolution.

Key Metrics Defined

The client’s IT environment demanded the definition of several performance and availability metrics. The key metrics implemented included:

Network Performance:

  • CPU and memory usage
  • Bandwidth utilization and throughput
  • Link/device availability and packet drops
  • Jitter, CRC errors, and IPSLA response times

Device-Specific Monitoring:

  • VPN, firewalls, switches, and network printers
  • Wireless devices, tape libraries, and UPS systems

Remote Network Services:

  • FTP, SMTP, HTTPS, DHCP, VOIP, LDAP, and more

OS Monitoring:

  • CPU load and utilization
  • Disk I/O and network I/O
  • Memory and swap utilization
  • Process monitoring and zombie process detection

Technologies and Platforms Monitored:

The deployment covered a wide array of devices and platforms:

  • Network Infrastructure: Switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless devices.
  • Operating Systems: Ubuntu, RHEL, and Windows.
  • Virtualization Platforms: VMware environments.
  • Storage Systems: Various storage platforms for enterprise needs.
  • Specialized Devices: Network printers, tape libraries, and UPS systems.

Customized Monitoring Capabilities:

To address the unique requirements of The client’s air-gapped environment, several customizations were implemented:

  • SNMP Monitoring and Trap Integration: Enabled detailed monitoring of device statuses, performance metrics, and hardware issues like fan and temperature alerts.
  • Advanced Network Metrics: Introduced monitoring for BGP and OSPF configurations, IPSec tunnels, and link statuses.
  • Smokeping Integration: Enhanced visualization for network latency and performance.
  • Custom MIB Integration: Allowed monitoring of proprietary devices and services.
  • Remote Service Monitoring: Added support for monitoring services such as IMAP, RADIUS, TFTP, and more.

Implementation Highlights:

  • Centralized Monitoring: Deployed two Nagios XI instances and one NNA platform in an air-gapped setup for centralized monitoring of 2,000+ devices.
  • Visualization and Dashboards: Created network maps and visualization tools for better insights into device status and network health.
  • Automation and Efficiency: Automated monitoring for frequently used protocols and services, such as DHCP, FTP, and VoIP.
  • Enhanced Alerting: Configured custom alerts to notify IT teams about critical performance issues, minimizing downtime.

Challenges and Solutions:

1. Challenge: Monitoring an air-gapped environment with limited external connectivity.

Solution: Deployed Nagios XI and NNA with local repositories and configurations, ensuring no dependency on external networks.

2. Challenge: Managing a large-scale infrastructure with diverse device types and metrics.

Solution: Implemented custom plugins and MIB integrations to cater to varied monitoring needs.

3. Challenge: Real-time monitoring and visibility into network performance.

Solution: Enabled advanced network visualization with Smokeping integration and detailed bandwidth utilization reports.

Deliverables:

  • Two Nagios XI platforms and one NNA platform deployed and configured.
  • Comprehensive monitoring for 2,000+ devices across network, storage, and operating systems.
  • Custom dashboards for device and network performance visualization.
  • Detailed documentation and SOPs for ongoing maintenance and monitoring.
  • Training sessions for The client’s IT team to ensure effective use of the Nagios environment.

Business Impact:

The deployment of Nagios XI and NNA provided The client with the following benefits:

  • Proactive Monitoring: Enabled real-time identification and resolution of performance bottlenecks, improving overall IT efficiency.
  • Operational Continuity: Reduced downtime through advanced alerting and reporting capabilities.
  • Scalability: Designed a monitoring solution capable of handling future infrastructure expansions.
  • Streamlined IT Operations: Simplified device monitoring and management through centralized dashboards and SOPs.

Conclusion:

The successful deployment of Nagios XI and NNA at The client highlights the value of tailored monitoring solutions in complex IT environments. By addressing the unique challenges of an air-gapped infrastructure, the project ensured seamless operations and improved visibility across the organization’s IT assets.

Tetra remains committed to delivering robust monitoring solutions, helping organizations achieve operational excellence and build resilient IT infrastructures. Reach out to us today to learn how we can optimize your IT environment with cutting-edge monitoring technologies.