FTP monitoring with PRTG
Keep your FTP servers moving at high speed
- Track FTP status, response time, connections, uptime, and more
- Monitor file counts and changes to files
- Get automatically alerted when FTP services are at risk
PRTG FTP monitoring: What you’ll find on this page
SFTP monitoring with PRTG. Smoother data management.
FTP servers are the enterprise network's workhorses.
They handle critical applications, files, and documents, transfer large volumes of data, and are integral to the proper functioning of your network. Which is why you can't afford bottlenecks, errors, and other issues to slip through the cracks.
With advanced FTP monitoring functionality and always-on operation, Paessler PRTG does all the spadework so you don't have to. Tracking every critical variable that could impact your FTP servers' performance and security, and helping you ensure your network keeps performing at its best.
PRTG makes FTP performance monitoring as easy as it gets
Custom alerts and data visualization let you quickly identify and prevent issues such as low availability, long response times, slow download speeds, and other FTP server performance problems.
PRTG's FTP monitoring in action
PRTG's sophisticated preconfigured sensors can monitor the key variables of both FTP and SFTP servers. Each sensor monitors a specific variable to make sure it stays within a predefined threshold, and alerts you if it goes under or over so you can troubleshoot and solve the issue. Discover our FTP and SFTP-specific sensor types.
FTP Server File Count
The FTP Server File Count sensor logs in to an FTP server and can monitor changes to files. It shows the following:
- Downtime
- Execution time
- Number of files that are available in the directory listing
SFTP Secure File Transfer Protocol
The SFTP Secure File Transfer Protocol sensor monitors FTP servers of a Linux/Unix system via the Secure Shell (SSH) File Transfer Protocol (FTP over SSH). It shows the following:
- Downtime
- Response time
What FTP server monitoring looks like in PRTG
Diagnose network issues by continuously tracking the health and performance of your FTP servers. Show server status, response times, number and quality of connections, errors, CPU load, and other key metrics in real time. Visualize monitoring data in graphic maps and dashboards to identify problems more easily. Gain the overview you need to troubleshoot all kinds of issues with FTP connectivity.
Start monitoring FTP servers with PRTG and see how it can make your network more reliable and your job easier.
4 reasons why to choose PRTG as your FTP monitoring tool
More stability
With FTP monitoring, FTP and SFTP servers are more stable during uploads and downloads, data is more secure, and unwanted deletions or unusual spikes in the file count are recorded. This helps you to not only deliver better user experience, but also meet service level agreements (SLA).
Complete visibility
All your key FTP and SFTP server stats in one comprehensive, easy-to-read dashboard. Ensure applications perform optimally, keep mission-critical software up to date, and close security loopholes fast. You can even generate custom reports for your higher-ups in a few clicks.
Automatic alerts
Set your preferred parameters and get on with your day. PRTG alerts you via SMS, email, in-app push notification, and other methods as soon as availability or other key variables fall above or below set performance thresholds, or if somebody adds, deletes, or changes important files.
Actionable insights
Accurately measure your FTP and SFTP servers' performance, and run a faster, more efficient network. PRTG pinpoints bottlenecks, malfunctions, and other causes of underperformance, so you can proactively address them before they disrupt your network.
Your FTP monitor at a glance – even on the go
Set up PRTG in minutes and use it on almost any mobile device.
Find the root cause of the problem with our PRTG FTP monitoring solution
Real-time notifications mean faster troubleshooting so that you can act before more serious issues occur.
PRTG is compatible with all major vendors, products, and systems
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Combining their tools to a powerful solution for advanced analysis and automation, KnowledgeRiver and Paessler enable IT teams to ensure best performance for their infrastructure and networks.
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With ScriptRunner, Paessler integrates a powerful event automation platform into PRTG Network Monitor.
ScriptRunner
“Excellent tool for detailed monitoring. Alarms and notifications work greatly. Equipment addition is straight forward and server initial setup is very easy. ...feel safe to purchase it if you intend to monitor a large networking landscape.”
Infrastructure and Operations Engineer in the Communications Industry, firm size 10B - 30B USD
PRTG makes FTP performance monitoring as easy as it gets
Custom alerts and data visualization let you quickly identify and prevent issues such as low availability, long response times, slow download speeds, and other FTP server performance problems.
Monitor using FTP: FAQ
What is FTP?
FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is a standard network protocol. It is designed to enable the transfer of files between two computers over a TCP/IP network, such as the Internet. FTP typically involves a client (the computer requesting the file) and a server (the computer hosting the file).
FTP allows users to upload files from their local system to a remote server and download files from a remote server to their local system. It uses a control connection to manage the session and send commands from the client to the server. A separate data connection is used to transfer the actual files. FTP can operate in active or passive mode, determining how the data connection is established.
For more security, you have the following options:
- Secure FTP (FTPS): Adds SSL/TLS encryption to protect the data during transfer.
- SFTP: FTP over SSH, providing a secure channel for file transfer, different from FTPS in implementation.
What is FTP monitoring?
FTP monitoring involves the continuous observation and analysis of FTP server activity to ensure the server's health, performance, and security. Here are some key aspects of FTP monitoring:
- Performance monitoring: Ensures the FTP server is running efficiently and can handle the required load.
- Security: Detects unauthorized access attempts and suspicious activities to protect sensitive data.
- Server availability: Ensures the FTP server is accessible when needed, minimizing downtime.
- Connection attempts: Monitors the number and type of connection attempts, helping to identify unauthorized access.
- Transfer rates: Measures the speed of file uploads and downloads, indicating performance issues.
- Active sessions: Tracks the number of active user sessions to manage load and detect anomalies.
- File integrity: Ensures that files transferred are not corrupted or altered during transfer.
- Log analysis: Monitors FTP server logs to track user activity, errors, and other significant events.
- User activity: Tracks user actions, such as file uploads and downloads, to ensure compliance and detect unauthorized access.
What does PRTG have to do with FTP monitoring?
PRTG is a proprietary network monitoring tool that also tracks the health and performance of your FTP servers. Available for Windows-based on-premises servers or as a cloud-hosted solution, it's capable of monitoring unlimited local, remote, and virtual devices, bringing critical system data together in one simple, intuitive interface you can access from anywhere: at the office, at home, or on the go.
How do I set up an encrypted FTP monitoring connection in PRTG?
Pick a sensor, create a username and password for authentication, and save them in the sensor's settings to allow it to connect to the FTP server. Once setup is complete, you can customize several parameters, including whether to use SSL or TLS encryption, query intervals, and whether the sensor should count all the files on the FTP server or only those that have been added since the last query.
I have Linux or Unix-based FTP servers. How do I monitor them with PRTG?
You can connect PRTG to Linux and Unix SFTP servers using FTP over SSH. Enter the server's IP address or DNS name, as well as its credentials into PRTG's monitoring environment (ideally giving PRTG root access), set up an SSH sensor, and connect it to the server. The sensor will monitor the server's response time and alert you if it falls below a pre-established threshold.
What is a sensor in PRTG?
In PRTG, “sensors” are the basic monitoring elements. One sensor usually monitors one measured value in your network, for example the traffic of a switch port, the CPU load of a server, or the free space on a disk drive.
On average, you need about 5-10 sensors per device or one sensor per switch port.
PRTG: The multi-tool for sysadmins
Adapt PRTG individually and dynamically to your needs and rely on a strong API:- HTTP API: Access monitoring data and manipulate monitoring objects via HTTP requests
- Custom sensors: Create your own PRTG sensors for customized monitoring
- Custom notifications: Create your own notifications and send action triggers to external systems
- REST Custom sensor: Monitor almost everything that provides data in XML or JSON format
More than just a monitoring tool:
Reasons our customers love PRTG
Paessler PRTG is used by companies of all sizes. Sysadmins love PRTG because it makes their job a whole lot easier. Bandwidth, servers, virtual environments, websites, VoIP services – PRTG keeps an eye on your entire network. Everyone has different monitoring needs. That’s why we let you try PRTG for free.Still not convinced?
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Start monitoring FTP servers with PRTG and see how it can make your network more reliable and your job easier.
PRTG |
Network Monitoring Software - Version 24.4.102.1351 (November 12th, 2024) |
Hosting |
Download for Windows and cloud-based version PRTG Hosted Monitor available |
Languages |
English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese |
Pricing |
Up to 100 sensors for free (Price List) |
Unified Monitoring |
Network devices, bandwidth, servers, applications, virtual environments, remote systems, IoT, and more |
Supported Vendors & Applications |
Combining the broad monitoring feature set of PRTG with IP Fabric’s automated network assurance creates a new level of network visibility and reliability.