All network devices (computer systems, routers, printers, and so forth) provide ping (ICMP) capability. When you configure a managed system for ping monitoring, Operations Sentinel periodically sends a ping message to the managed system and requires a response. If the response is not received within a reasonable amount of time, the system is considered inaccessible. This is useful in determining if a system is in a state that allows it to respond to the network. No data is returned other than the original ping message.
Ping Monitoring Considerations
The following are the advantages:
Inexpensive, using an existing LAN or WAN
Provides high-level status even though remote login is disabled
Monitors networked non-computer devices, such as routers and printers
Provides early warning of network problems
Can be combined with other monitoring techniques that provide other views of the state of a system
Easy to set up
The following are the disadvantages:
Unusable if ICMP is disabled on the target system
Provides no detailed status on the operation of the system
No control of the system is provided
No control of the boot process of the managed system