Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

My systems are reasonably stable, how would I benefit by using the GeoSystems Monitor™?

As enterprise GIS systems become more and more mission critical, system downtime effects both user productivity and user perception. Server based GIS systems are often complicated; making troubleshooting difficult and time consuming.

The GeoSystems Monitor™ gives the GIS/IT professional a strategic management tool to help troubleshoot issues when services or applications become non-responsive. This enables the GIS/IT professionals to meet their overall IT performance goals for data access, server uptime and system reliability.

What is a monitoring point?

A GeoSystems monitoring point is a GIS service/application that you want to monitor and receive alerts on when services or applications become non-responsive. Points can be configured for a variety of GIS functions, including ArcGIS server services, IMS Services, Web applications, SDE services/layers, Microsoft/Oracle tables, Windows Services, RSS feeds, Online services, Custom tasks and more. The GeoSystems Monitor™ flexible architecture offers you the opportunity to better manage your entire enterprise GIS.

What Esri® software does the GeoSystems Monitor support?

All Esri GIS server version products 9.0 and higher.

Can the GeoSystems Monitor™ check other software/applications?

Most enterprise GIS systems include a mix of third-party applications which feed their GIS server based systems. The GeoSystems Monitor™ includes scripts or ‘checks’ you can use for Web applications, RSS Feeds, Oracle and Microsoft SQL Databases and Windows services. In addition, OGC(r) WMS services and many other checks are currently being developed in response to client requests.

How does the GeoSystems Monitor™ alert me?

If a service or application becomes non-responsive (repeatedly fails a check), the GeoSystems Monitor™ immediately notifies you via cell phone text message and/or email.

Can I alert multiple staff members?

Yes, the GeoSystems Monitor™ puts you in control, and can be easily configured to alert multiple staff members.

How many points can I monitor?

We recognize that each organization has different GIS requirements; the GeoSystems Monitor™ is available in three different levels:

Level I 1-20 points

Level II 21- 40 points

Level III 41-200 points

The monitor will easily accommodate up to 200 monitoring points and has been tested to monitor up to 400 points. If your organization has over 200 points to monitor, please contact us at 877-9VESTRA or sales@geosystemsmonitor.com to discuss to ensure success if you are implementing a larger system.

How long does it take to install the GeoSystems Monitor™?

The GeoSystems Monitor™ is equipped with several monitoring points that are pre-configured, so all that is needed is to edit the points so that they are specific to your environment. The installation and configuration required to monitor your first set of points takes approximately 15-20 minutes. A complete system with 50 monitoring points can be configured in less than one business day.

Will monitoring impact performance on my system?

The monitoring checks performed by the GeoSystems Monitor™ do not require any additional resources other than those required for any user performing simple routine tasks. The checks are set to stagger at several minute intervals (determined by you) to minimize impact on performance; the overall impact on the system(s) being monitored is generally very minor.

Why do we use Python?

Python was chosen as the vehicle to actually do the ‘checks’ on a monitoring point because it is a standard scripting language in the GIS industry and it is included with many GIS applications. Python is versatile and GIS users can write their own monitoring point ‘checks’ if needed.

Why Use SQLite?

SQLite was chosen as a database because it is extremely light weight, versatile, efficient and doesn’t require a RDBMS product. It is also widely used in the industry: http://www.sqlite.org/famous.html

What are the server requirements for hardware and software in order to run the GeoSystems Monitor?

Minimum hardware and software requirements for the GeoSystems Monitor are Windows Server 2003, 32-bit (Server 2008 compatibility is in development, expected release: winter 2010); a virtual server in VMWare, Microsoft Hyper-V or Citrix Xen Server are also acceptable. Server resources depend on the number of points monitored.

The following are also required:

200MB of hard drive space

Microsoft .NET 3.5 Service Pack 1

Microsoft .NET 4.0

IIS Services

What are the workstation requirements for hardware and software in order to run the GeoSystems Monitor?

The GeoSystems Dashboard is displayed in an Internet browser, no client installation is required.

Workstation System Requirements

Windows 2000, SP4; Windows XP SP2 & SP3, Windows Vista, and Windows 7

Internet Explorer, Chrome 4, and Firefox

Microsoft Silverlight™ version 4 (4.0.50524.0)

How do I purchase the GeoSystems Monitor?

To purchase the GeoSystems Monitor, visit our website at www.vestra.com/products or call 877-9VESTRA (877-983-7872) or email us at sales@geosystemsmonitor.com