[berniew]

Let's assume you are given a Windows network to monitor. Exchange, SQL, File, Web, etc.

You want to monitor event logs, system status, available disk space, security, etc, etc. Preferably with filters, e-mail/pager alerts, reports etc etc.since you won't have time to go read logs.

You want to spend $0 but you don't want to have to spend all your free time learning how to reinvent the wheel.

Which products would you use, running on which distro?

Thanks

[odesus]

You want to spend $0...

Since this is the primary criteria, take a look at the information contained here.

[Deathwind]

You might want to check out Nagios.

[HerrGlock]

Linux as the logging box. Remotely log all the WIN boxes onto the Linux box
Tripwire (freeware version) on the WIN boxes
logcheck on the logs that come onto the Linux box.
Email the logcheck output
have a script check for new logcheck output and scan it for various alert words (alert, 90+%, etc) and if it finds one of them, page you.

Then you can tell at least if there's something you should see within the email. If that proves interesting, then you can go to the log files and get the whole story.

DanH