Paessler Blog - All about IT, Monitoring, and PRTG

The multi-platform probe is now available as stable release

Written by Michael Becker | May 13, 2024

When it comes to network and infrastructure monitoring, adaptability is essential. Previously, as a user of Paessler PRTG, you were mostly limited to Windows environments. Thanks to your numerous responses to our surveys, Linux has been identified as the preferred operating system for running a probe, which marks a significant milestone in our development. We are pleased to announce that the multi-platform probe has moved from BETA to stable.

Multi-platform probe?

The multi-platform probe is a probe that extends the native monitoring capabilities of PRTG to non-Windows platforms, for example Linux, Raspberry Pi, or NAS systems. By using this probe, you can monitor various non-Windows subnets that are separated from your PRTG core server by a firewall, as well as remote locations.

 


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Please note: The multi-platform probe is currently compatible with PRTG Network Monitor and PRTG Enterprise Monitor. We are working hard on compatibility with PRTG Hosted Monitor.

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For more details, including available sensor types, supported platforms, or a look at future developments, click here:
👉 Multi-platform probe for PRTG - Comprehensive monitoring for Linux systems

Understanding your needs

At Paessler, we are committed to understanding your needs and requirements to deliver solutions that help you improve your monitoring experience. The significant demand for Linux compatibility with Paessler PRTG in our survey underlines the importance of providing flexibility and compatibility across different platforms. The development of the multi-platform probe is and was an important step in the right direction.

What is possible with the stable release?

The multi-platform probe enables you to monitor networks and infrastructures from non-Windows environments. Find out what's new in the latest stable release:

✅ Supported platforms and operating systems: The multi-platform probe supports Debian, Ubuntu, Redhat, and ARM platforms, including Raspberry Pi. This extended compatibility ensures that you can use your preferred operating system and offers the possibility to choose the right hardware for your task. This enables scenarios that were previously not possible due to the Windows requirements of the probe system.

✅ Sensor types for common monitoring applications: Comprehensive monitoring is essential. That's why the multi-platform probe offers sensor types for the most common protocols, including ICMP, SNMP, HTTP, REST, and SSH (combined with the Script v2 sensor). In addition, the System Health sensor provides reliable monitoring capabilities to ensure the health of your IT systems.

✅ Installation and configuration: With the stable release of the multi-platform probe, and in addition to the existing standalone Linux packages, we offer a Paessler-hosted Debian package repository that can be used to seamlessly integrate the multi-platform probe into your existing infrastructure.

✅ Security compliance: Security is important in today's digital world. The multi-platform probe ensures compliance with security regulations by implementing TLS 1.3 encryption. This secure connection ensures that the security and integrity of your data is maintained.

How to install the multi-platform probe

Installing the multi-platform probe takes just a few minutes. There are three main components required to work:

  • the NATS server 
  • the PRTG core server (including the probe adapter, which is automatically installed)
  • the multi-platform probe itself

You can find the required installation steps in this manual or watch the following video:

What are the benefits of the multi-platform probe?

The benefits of the multi-platform probe go far beyond the compatibility aspect. There are many more advantages:

✳️ Extended coverage: By supporting additional platforms, the multi-platform probe allows you to monitor your networks and infrastructures independently of Windows-based operating systems.

✳️ Increased flexibility: Whether you are using a probe on a Raspberry Pi to remotely monitor a site or a Linux-based system for specific use cases, the multi-platform probe offers a high degree of flexibility. This allows you to customize your monitoring solutions to your individual requirements.

✳️ Ready for the future: As technology evolves, so do our solutions. Based on our roadmap, which is focused on continuous improvement, we will continue to develop features such as device templates, data caching, and multi-platform probe containers.

 

The transition of the multi-platform probe from BETA to stable is an important milestone in our journey to provide you with a flexible and robust monitoring solution. We have heard you and prioritized innovation. We are confident that the multi-platform probe will optimize the way you monitor your networks and infrastructures.