Windows File and Folder Monitoring

This Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) was developed to simplify Windows files and folder monitoring. It adds a simple but powerful wizard that provides users with the ability to create rules for monitoring Windows files and folders.

With this Management Pack, you will be able to easily target the file(s) you want to monitor, either manually or using a wildcard. A few options are available in relation to the monitor:

• Whether the files count is too high or too low
• Whether the total file size (in kilobytes) is too high or too low
• Whether the file’s recent date modified is too old

After choosing the preferred option, you will then have the ability to apply a sampling rate, and set a threshold that triggers alerts. The data the MP collects can be used for dashboards creation and it includes advanced scheduling features.

Prerequisites

The Savision Community - Windows File Monitoring Management Pack for SCOM requires a working SCOM environment. The following list outlines the environment and software that should be prepared prior to the installation of the Management Pack.

Supported Operating Systems:

• Windows Server 2003 SP2
• Windows Server 2008/2008 R2
• Windows Server 2012/2012 R2
• Windows Server 2016

One of the following Microsoft System Center Operations Manager versions:

• Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2012/2012 R2 (preferably with the latest Update Rollup)
• Microsoft System Center 2016
• Microsoft System Center 1801

Limitations

The Management Pack can only target Microsoft Windows Servers for file and folder monitoring.

Installing the Management Pack

1. Open the SCOM Operations Console and connect to your Management Server.
2. Click Administration in the left pane of the console.
3. Right-click Management Packs and select Import Management Packs.
4. Click Add > Add from disk.
5. From the Select Management Packs to Import dialog, browse to the location of the Savision Community - Windows File Monitoring Management Pack.
6. Click Open. The import list shows the selected management packs.
7. Click Install. The wizard starts the installation, showing the status of each import.
8. When the import completes, click Close.

Configuring File Monitoring

1. Open the SCOM Operations Console.
2. Click Authoring in the left pane of the console.
3. Right-Click on Management Pack Templates and select Add Monitoring Wizard.
4. From the Add Monitoring Wizard select Windows File Monitoring (powered by Savision) monitoring type.
5. Click Next.
6. Go to General Properties and fill in the following fields: Name, Description, and Select a Management Pack.
7. Click Next.
8. Go to Select Windows Files for Monitoring and fill in the following fields:
   1. File Path (can contain wildcard characters such as * and ?).
      Note:"?" can only be used in the file portion of the path.
9. Select or create a new Target Group
   Note: The target group must contain Windows servers.
10. Go to Configure File Monitor Alerts and fill in the following fields:
    1. Select at least one of file monitor scenario:
       1. Files Count Monitor - raises an alert if the file count matches a threshold condition.
       2. Files Size Monitor - raises an alert if the file size matches a threshold condition.
       3. File Last Modified Monitor - raises an alert if file last modified date matches a threshold condition.
    2. Optional - Check this option in order to raise an alert if the file no longer exists.
11. Go to Specify Schedule Settings and fill in the following fields:
    1. Set a Start Time.
    2. Set an End Time.
    3. Define Sample Interval between samples.
    4. Set Synchronize at
    Note: Synchronize at is an essential option with file and folder monitoring. For example, a batch process copies files from one location to another every hour on the hour. You would want to configure your file monitoring to start a few minutes past the hour to verify the batch process in a timely manner.
12. Specify days of week for monitoring.
13. Click Next.
14. Click Create.
15. Verify that a new monitoring item exists at Windows File Monitoring (powered by Savision) board.

Using Windows File Monitoring

Windows File and Folder Monitoring - State View:

Windows File and Folder Monitoring - Performance View:

Windows File and Folder Monitoring - Alerts View: