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Plugin Monitors
Plugins are custom service monitors that are not part of the standard Uptime Infrastructure Monitor distribution, but can be integrated with it to augment the type of metrics collected. They are typically created by IDERA Client Support Engineers or Solutions Architects to address specific customer needs. Whether created by IDERA or other customers, plugins are hosted on the Grid, the community repository for custom monitors, gadgets, dashboards, and other enhancements. Each plugin on the Grid includes the main distributable archive, any applicable auxiliary files, and essential installation steps.
Installing and maintaining plugins can also be managed from within Uptime Infrastructure Monitor. Users can browse, install, and update plugins using the Extension Manager if their User Role permits plugin management (see Working with User Roles for more information).
Users who are allowed to manage plugins can access this option by clicking the Search for monitors link at the top of the Add Service Monitor pop-up window (accessed by clicking Services > Add Service Monitor). Clicking this link opens the Extension Manager, and displays the following:
- INSTALL: the plugin is available on the Grid, but is not installed on your Uptime Infrastructure Monitor deployment
- INSTALLED: the plugin is installed, and is available to be configured and linked to monitored Elements
- UPGRADE: the plugin is installed, but there is an update available on the Grid
Installing and Upgrading Plugins
When you install a plugin through the Extension Manager, the plugin is downloaded from the Grid and installed automatically. A confirmation dialog indicates that the plugin is installed and is now available to be selected in the Add Service Monitor pop-up window. (The categories the plugin appears in depend on its service monitor definition; see Plugin Guide for more information.) The confirmation dialog also instructs you on follow-up steps, if applicable:
- requires additional steps: some manual installation steps need to be performed
- requires agent-side scripts: the plugin interfaces with an agent-side script, which needs to be installed on monitored Elements
- restart the Data Collector service: the plugin introduces changes that require the Uptime Infrastructure Monitor Core (or Data Collector service) to be restarted
When upgrading a plugin, typically, all the necessary follow-up steps are already performed.
For additional information regarding the creation of custom and plugin service monitors, see: