Powershell SFTP/PRTG monitor?

ascetek · 2021-02-02T18:06:28.000Z

Hello,

I was wondering if it was possible to write a Powershell script that would access an sftp server, look through the sftp logs and report via PRTG the last time a file transferred? My experience with powershell is limited, but I have written a few basic Powershell scripts that are useful to my help desk job.

The gist of the issue is, we coordinate with another organization that relies on us to send files over to them, our users put them on a drive we set up, that sends them to the correct server, the other organization has a script that transfers the files 3 times a day. We get flooded with tickets because staff from the other organization does not communicate with their IT department, as they request files after the last transfer is scheduled to go (why the script does not pull once an hour, I have no idea, but beyond my control).

I feel like the script would help us, since all we would have to do is look at the sensor and tell users that everything is good on our end (99 times out of 100 it is), instead of looking through logs on the SFTP server to verify that everything is good on our end. Maybe there is an easier way than I asked for is why I wanted to include the backstory.

Thanks!

Neally · 2021-02-02T18:57:03.000Z

Ascetek:

I was wondering if it was possible to write a Powershell script that would access an sftp server, look through the sftp logs and report

Yes you can.

Ascetek:

report via PRTG

ascetek · 2021-02-02T19:06:23.000Z

I was tasked to do this via my boss.
It would be nice to just look at the monitor that displays the rest of our PRTG sensors when we get our daily ticket(s) about the same issue and tell users it is yet again not an issue on our end.
Practice my Powershell scripting abilities.

Neally · 2021-02-02T19:09:25.000Z

Ascetek:

Practice my Powershell scripting abilities.

ok, well give it a try, post if you get stuck or need help

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ascetek · 2021-02-02T20:26:22.000Z

Thanks! I figured it would be a good task to work on to hone my Powershell skills. I am kind of at a loss for where to start. I am looking at a template others have used in our organization to create PRTG monitors, and I think I can copy those to get into the server ($User and $MyCredential should be the same value) after that I get a little loss as the rest of the script is checking disk space, then using HTML (I assume) to display the results. I need to dig into reporting the logs once the script logs in as the correct user.

Neally · 2021-02-02T20:27:54.000Z

Ascetek:

Thanks! I figured it would be a good task to work on to hone my Powershell skills. I am kind of at a loss for where to start. I am looking at a template others have used in our organization to create PRTG monitors, and I think I can copy those to get into the server ($User and $MyCredential should be the same value) after that I get a little loss as the rest of the script is checking disk space, then using HTML (I assume) to display the results. I need to dig into reporting the logs once the script logs in as the correct user.

Doing the script should be the easy part, but how that feeds into PRTG, I have no idea, never really used PRTG.

DoctorDNS · 2021-02-02T21:55:31.000Z

SO far as I am aware there is no module for this. But there is an API of sorts for PRTG you might be able to use. I’d start here: PRTG and Powershell | Paessler Knowledge Base

ascetek · 2021-02-02T22:00:13.000Z

Thanks a bunch!

ordesa-spain · 2021-02-03T07:13:46.000Z

I know that this is not what you asked but, what kind of SFTP software are you using? Most of them include reporting o event-based alerts, so you could receive an email on upload. We use Cerberus SFTP and it is very customizable.

ascetek · 2021-02-03T16:37:29.000Z

Such a great idea! I’ve been Googling all morning and was unable to find anything on our SFTP server my boss set up. We use Buru SFTP Free Edition, I assume the free edition does not come with that option, as Google has resulted in little to no documentation, as well as me poking around the server myself. I can access the logs, but can’t see anywhere to set up alerts unfortunately. Back to PowerShell it seems.

ordesa-spain · 2021-02-04T06:20:48.000Z

Ascetek:

Such a great idea! I’ve been Googling all morning and was unable to find anything on our SFTP server my boss set up. We use Buru SFTP Free Edition, I assume the free edition does not come with that option, as Google has resulted in little to no documentation, as well as me poking around the server myself. I can access the logs, but can’t see anywhere to set up alerts unfortunately. Back to PowerShell it seems.

Oh well… I guess you will have to keep digging.