Monitoring PDUs and Storage Devices

Server Scout's monitoring capabilities extend beyond traditional servers to include critical infrastructure components like Power Distribution Units (PDUs) and storage devices. This guide walks you through setting up comprehensive monitoring for these essential components of your data centre.

Adding Device Types from the Dashboard

To begin monitoring PDUs or storage devices, navigate to your Server Scout dashboard and select "Add Device" from the main menu. You'll find dedicated device type options for various infrastructure components:

1. Click the "Add Device" button
2. Select your device type from the dropdown menu
3. Enter the device's IP address or hostname
4. Configure SNMP community strings (typically "public" for read-only access)
5. Click "Add Device" to begin monitoring

The system will immediately start collecting baseline metrics and attempt to identify the specific device model for enhanced monitoring capabilities.

Generic SNMP Collection Baseline

All PDUs and storage devices added to Server Scout begin with generic SNMP collection that gathers fundamental information:

• sysDescr (1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1.0): Provides device description and model information
• sysUpTime (1.3.6.1.2.1.1.3.0): Tracks device uptime and detects reboots

This baseline ensures you have essential monitoring data regardless of the specific device model. The generic collection serves as a foundation whilst Server Scout attempts to identify device-specific capabilities for expanded monitoring.

Extending Monitoring with Device-Specific OIDs

Once Server Scout identifies your device model, it automatically adds relevant SNMP OIDs for comprehensive monitoring. You can also manually extend monitoring by adding custom OIDs through the device configuration panel:

# Example: Adding a custom temperature sensor OID
OID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.318.1.1.10.2.3.2.1.4.1
Name: inlet_temperature
Unit: celsius

Navigate to your device's configuration page and use the "Add Custom OID" section to include manufacturer-specific metrics that aren't automatically detected.

Supported Device Types

Server Scout currently supports these device_type values:

• pdu - Power Distribution Units
• ups - Uninterruptible Power Supplies
• storage - Network Attached Storage and SAN devices
• switch - Network switches
• environmental - Environmental sensors
• generic_snmp - Any SNMP-enabled device

Each type includes pre-configured OID collections optimised for common monitoring scenarios whilst allowing customisation for specific requirements.

PDU Monitoring Examples

For PDUs, Server Scout focuses on power management and environmental metrics:

Per-Outlet Monitoring:

# Outlet power consumption
rPDUOutletStatusCurrent.1 (1.3.6.1.4.1.318.1.1.12.3.5.1.1.3.1)
# Outlet voltage readings  
rPDUOutletStatusVoltage.1 (1.3.6.1.4.1.318.1.1.12.3.5.1.1.4.1)

Total Load Monitoring:

• Input current across all phases
• Total power consumption
• Load percentage against rated capacity

Environmental Sensors:

• Inlet and outlet temperature readings
• Humidity levels where supported
• Alarm status indicators

These metrics help prevent power-related outages and optimise power distribution across your infrastructure.

Storage Device Monitoring

Storage arrays require monitoring across multiple dimensions to ensure data availability:

Disk Health Metrics:

• Individual disk status and SMART data
• Disk temperature readings
• Read/write error counters

RAID Status Monitoring:

# Example NetApp RAID status OID
dfStatus (1.3.6.1.4.1.789.1.5.4.1.2)
# Disk shelf status
shelfStatus (1.3.6.1.4.1.789.1.21.1.2.1.3)

Capacity Management:

• Volume utilisation percentages
• Available free space
• Growth trend analysis
• Snapshot space consumption

Expanding Device Support Roadmap

Server Scout continues expanding device-specific support based on user requirements. The development roadmap includes:

• Enhanced manufacturer-specific templates for major PDU brands (APC, Raritan, Eaton)
• Expanded storage vendor support (Dell EMC, HPE, Pure Storage)
• Network equipment monitoring for Cisco, Juniper, and Arista devices
• Custom dashboard templates for infrastructure overviews

The generic SNMP foundation ensures immediate monitoring capability whilst specific enhancements provide deeper insights as they become available.

By leveraging Server Scout's infrastructure monitoring capabilities, you gain comprehensive visibility into the health and performance of critical data centre components beyond traditional servers.