Optimizing Performance and Monitoring Resources on Windows Server 2016
Overview
Due to the fact that many services are intended to work on Linux machines, Linux is frequently installed on VPS servers. The majority of monitoring and tweaking manuals are prepared with Linux VPS servers in mind. You could be interested in monitoring your Windows VPS server, though, as you might also employ a Windows-based computer for some services. You will learn how to install Mumin service on your Windows VPS server, link it to an already-existing Mumin server node, and check Windows performance as well as run anti-malware software in this tutorial.
Requirements
- Installed Mumin on Linux-based server.
- To set it up, according to our mumin installation instructions.
- Windows Server 2016 VPS server Basic knowledge in installing and running software on Windows Basic knowledge in Linux configuration.
Checking Local Performance on Windows Server 2016
Windows offers a quick and straightforward method for evaluating its local performance. Integrated task manager providing a graphical representation of RAM, CPU, and HDD utilisation. To run it, press Start button ( the one with windows logo in the bottom left corner ) and start typing
taskmgr
Press the Task Manager when it appears. Although it already offers performance data, we would prefer a more thorough result.
Select the Performance tab and click on Open Resource Monitor located at the bottom of Task Manager’s Performance tab.
Currently, a resource monitor is open and provides you with a comprehensive output of the CPU, Memory, HDD, and Network usage.
It is sufficient to know which process uses certain resources and who the possible offender is. But we desire MORE. In order to monitor the resources used, we do not want to constantly log into our Windows computer.
Monitoring Windows Performance with Munin
There are two methods for installing Munin Node on Windows:
Building from Sources: Go to https://github.com/munin-monitoring/munin-node-win32[1], check out the code, and follow the provided build instructions.
Install Pre-built Binaries: Download pre-built binaries from https://code.google.com/archive/p/munin-node-win32/downloads[2].
Given that the latest release is 1.6.1.0, it is perfectly acceptable to opt for downloading the prebuilt binaries.
1) Go through the installation process, keeping all settings at their default values.
In such a scenario, Munin will be installed, and it will automatically start as a service.
(!) Don’t forget to refer to our guide to learn how to add a node to the Munin master. Essentially, you’ll need to add an entry with the IP address of your Windows server to your Munin master configuration.
/etc/munin/munin.conf
And remember to restart Apache after making the necessary configurations.
systemctl restart apache2
Now, you’ll need to wait for 5 to 15 minutes until your Munin server detects the Windows node, and then you’ll have monitoring set up on your Munin server!
Choosing Antimalware Software for Windows Server VPS Systems
You may have wondered why I am writing about this. In fact, not all modern antiviruses are installable on Windows Server. Here are some that work well and have been proven to provide good results:
#1 ClamAV
ClamAV[3] is the most well-known open-source antivirus and anti-malware product. It is multiplatform and offers a variety of features, including malware protection and support for most file types.
#2 Immunet
Immunet[4] is built on ClamAV (a free open-source antivirus engine) in addition to its own engine, and it is fully compatible with Windows Server. It utilizes a cloud-based mechanism for detecting and storing virus signature files, eliminating the need for manual updates.
Both ClamAV and Immunet are free and easy to use. As established players in the market, they can be trusted for effective antivirus protection.
In Summary
Now you know how to monitor your Windows VPS resources via RDP, utilize Resource Monitor, and track resource usage on your Windows VPS server using a centralized monitoring tool. This knowledge allows you to confidently add Windows machines to your environment and monitor them efficiently. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!
[1]: https://github.com/munin-monitoring/munin-node-win32
[2]: https://code.google.com/archive/p/munin-node-win32/downloads
[3]: https://www.clamav.net/downloads/#otherversions
[4]: https://www.immunet.com/index