Published by Sascha Neumeier
Last updated on January 23, 2024
•
9 minute read
With Paessler PRTG version 21.4.73, we introduced the Multi-Platform Probe to extend the native monitoring capabilities on non-Windows platforms, for example Linux, Raspberry Pi, or NAS systems.
Be sure to read the disclaimer before I give you more details. This is important because the Multi-Platform Probe is in a beta product stage.
👆 Disclaimer | Please read first (Update October 2023)
The Multi-Platform Probe is currently in a beta phase. However, unexpected issues can occur. We do not recommend that you use the feature on your production system. Please also be aware that features are still missing and that the functionality is limited.
For a current overview of the limitations, refer to knowledge base article What is the Multi-Platform Probe and how can I use it?.
Nevertheless, it is very important for us to share the status with you as soon as possible, because you work with PRTG every day and we know how eagerly many of you have been waiting for a PRTG probe running on Linux & Co. ❤️
These early insights give you the opportunity to influence further development and feature implementation by giving us valuable feedback at an early stage of development.
With this beta release, you can install the Multi-Platform Probe on Linux systems (Ubuntu, Debian and Red Hat/CentOS), Docker and Windows. Very soon you’ll also be able to install the probe on single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi as well as other ARM-based devices.
Components of our new Multi-Platform Probe
The Multi-Platform Probe consists of three different components.
| Probe adapter | The probe adapter on the PRTG core server system |
| NATS server |
The NATS server handles the communication between the Multi-Platform Probe and the PRTG core server. We recommend that you do not install the NATS server on the PRTG core server system. |
| Multi-Platform Probe | We recommend that you do not install the probe on the PRTG core server system. |
Edge-to-Cloud
The objective of our product developers is obvious: integrating all your corporate network devices into PRTG without having to install a new server in every corner. In other words: it's a typical edge-to-cloud approach.
How to install the required components
The installation is done in three consecutive steps. If you are running the NATS server or the Multi-Platform Probe on Docker, there is a fourth step.
- Step 1: Download and install NATS server
- Step 2: Download and install the probe adapter
- Step 3: Download and install the Multi-Platform Probe
- Step 4 (optional): Running NATS or Multi-Platform Probe on Docker
Currently, the setup still requires a bit of manual effort. Of course, this will all be more bundled and automated in the future.
😊
Our developers have prepared scripts for all necessary steps, which makes things a bit easier. After that, our technical writers created an easy-to-follow installation guide for you. Check the knowledge base articles below and get all the details.
🔥 KB article | What is the Multi-Platform Probe and how can I use it?
🔥 KB article | How can I use the Multi-Platform Probe on Docker?
What is coming next?
The Multi-Platform Probe is currently very limited with its supported features. In the upcoming weeks, we will introduce the Multi-Platform Probe for ARM v7 and ARM64 as well as support for meta-scans and other features.
This allows you to install the probe on the Raspberry Pi and any other ARM-based device.
From that moment on, the sensor families around Azure, AWS, Redfish, and Veeam will also be available on the Multi-Platform Probe.
We can’t wait to get your feedback!
Part of publishing the Multi-Platform Probe as an early alpha release (now beta release) is to get your valuable feedback. What happens out in the field is something we can never recreate, even in our high quality test and QA environment.
That's why you can do us a huge favor by sharing your input in our survey. Thanks in advance everyone! 🙏
You there!
