Web apps are client-server systems that allow a user to submit data have it processed on a server and respond to the user accordingly. Web apps can exist in the form of webmail, shopping carts, online auctions or web registration forms.
Web monitoring applications are essential to ensure the host site is able to service its visitors, subscribers and patrons efficiently and securely. They are designed to ensure the shortest downtime, provide instant notification of performance instability or unavailability of services. Web monitoring apps give system administrators confidence with advance alert systems, triggered actions and automated escalation procedures. Web monitoring apps can be deployed in a virtual environment, data center or cloud (using a service like CopperEgg.
Incorporating web application monitoring tools is a smart way to intercept catastrophic failures that can lead to loss of business or lack of trust from site visitors and customers. Web app monitoring is synonymous with having a pair of eyes glued to every action performed by the app platform. Another advantage of an automated monitoring program is the ability to analyze all transactions 24/7 with configurable options. In a nutshell monitoring tools give companies and system admins the ability to monitor trends, display activity in comprehensive charts, produce reports and send alerts in real-time via SMS, email or mobile technology.
In addition to providing reports for performance degradation and processing failures, web app monitors also give site administrators the ability to be notified of hackers attempting to overload the system or any activity that can be categorized as content or system violations. With the emergence of cloud computing sites are more susceptible to broad and targeted attacks that can cripple individual sites residing on a “cloud” network.
Many commercial application monitoring tools provide different levels of insight in performance of web technologies. Network based performance monitoring systems are generally integrated into these platforms and can provide high level views into web application performance in conjunction with load-balance testing tools that can be applied before a web application is deployed to the web.
When choosing a web monitoring app, ensure that it has the ability to install seamlessly in a data center or cloud environment. Make certain it has the ability to map the architecture and dependencies of the web product and can provide a big picture of application performance regardless of the complexity of the site. This includes automated discovery of network systems and software on a variety of platforms including; Windows, Unix, Linux, AIX, HPUX, Solaris and more. Modern monitoring tools generally provide a “drill down” format that allow administrators to troubleshoot and inspect individual call stacks and anomalies on a method and class level. Some web monitoring apps also have built in decoding tools to allow load balance testing before an app is published or deployed.