In <[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] writes:

> I too have been trying to devise something similar that would ping our
> routers
> and systems and page me if the ping fails. If there is anything out
> there like that, please let me know also.
>
> Thanks.

We use a package called "Whatsup" (from IpSwitch I believe). It runs on a PC
and periodically (you set the interval) polls any hosts you want it to; it
checks for basic connectivity (pings) but also can check tcp ports to make
sure they're answering (i.e. ftp, smtp, telnet, gopher, etc etc.). You also
define for each node the services to check, the node's criticality, and the
alarm-type should it go down. It'll do text or alpha pages, email, audible
alarms through speakers, etc. All that and less than $100 (more like $60 I
think back when we bought it).

It checks all our servers, routers, DNS (local and at our ISP) with alarms
set if any go down, and also polls all our local systems and displays the
icons in red/yellow/green (down/borderline/up) on a network map on the
display. Highly recommended.

    -Chris Bartram