How To Use NRPE And NSClient++ With Nagios XI
Purpose
This document describes how to enable and configure the NRPE Listener in NSClient++ 0.4.x
(and newer) for Nagios XI on a remote windows machine. The NRPE listener allows the
Nagios XI server to perform more advanced and customized monitoring methods using
check_nrpe (compared to requests using check_nt.)
Some reasons you may want to use check_nrpe instead of check_nt are:
• The built in CPU / memory / disk checks are more flexible and customizable
• The CheckExternalScripts module can execute various user written script (VB / BAT / EXE /
Perl / Python / PowerShell)
• Uses SSL
Target Audience
This document is intended for use by Nagios XI Administrators that want to enable NRPE in
NSClient++.
Requirements
• A running Nagios XI server
• NSClient++ 0.4.x (or newer) installed on the Windows Client as per this documentation:
• Installing The Windows Agent NSClient++ for Nagios XI
Note: This document is for version 0.4.x of NSClient++. For version 0.3.x of NSClient++
see:
Enabling The NRPE Listener In NSClient 0.3.x
The following documentation explains how the configuration file works in NSClient++ and may also
be helpful:
Configuring The Windows Agent NSClient++ for Nagios XI
www.nagios.com
Copyright © 2024 Nagios Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved. Trademarks are the property of their respective owner.
How To Use NRPE And NSClient++ With Nagios XI
Update NSClient++ Configuration
The configuration file in NSClient++ 0.4.x is called nsclient.ini and is located here:
C:\Program Files\NSClient++\nsclient.ini
The configuration file can be manually edited OR you can execute commands in a command prompt
to make the required changes in the configuration file. This document instructs you to execute the
commands to make the changes. Following this is a summary showing you the updated settings in
the configuration file.
Log onto your remote windows machine as an administrator.
Open a command prompt with administrative rights and run the following commands:
cd "C:\Program Files\NSClient++"
nscp settings --activate-module NRPEServer --add-defaults
nscp settings --path /settings/NRPE/server --key "allow arguments" --set true
nscp settings --path /settings/NRPE/server --key "allow nasty characters" --set true
nscp settings --path /settings/NRPE/server --key insecure --set true
nscp settings --path /settings/NRPE/server --key "verify mode" --set none
nscp settings --activate-module CheckExternalScripts --add-defaults
nscp settings --path "/settings/external scripts" --key "allow arguments" --set true
nscp settings --path "/settings/external scripts" --key "allow nasty characters" --set true
This should not produce any output, however, don't be alarmed if you see some Failed to register
plugin errors.
Open the configuration file nsclient.ini in a text editor for editing (like Notepad) to see the updated
configurations.
www.nagios.com
Copyright © 2024 Nagios Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved. Trademarks are the property of their respective owner.
How To Use NRPE And NSClient++ With Nagios XI
Under the [/modules] section you will see the following lines:
NRPEServer = enabled
CheckExternalScripts = enabled
Under the [/settings/NRPE/server] section you will see the following lines:
allow arguments = true allow
nasty characters = true
insecure = true verify mode =
none
Under the [/settings/external scripts] section you will see the following lines:
allow arguments = true allow
nasty characters = true
What does allow arguments, allow nasty characters and insecure do?
• allow arguments
o This allows you to send options in the check_nrpe command, it allows for
flexible monitoring configurations
• allow nasty characters
o This allows the `&><'"\[]{} characters to be used in the arguments
• insecure
o Version 2.15 and earlier of check_nrpe on the Nagios XI server use an older
SSL method that has been superseded by newer technology. check_nrpe v3
and newer provide more secure methods however to allow backward
compatibility the insecure setting needs to be enabled in nsclient.ini.
www.nagios.com
Copyright © 2024 Nagios Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved. Trademarks are the property of their respective owner.
How To Use NRPE And NSClient++ With Nagios XI
Restarting The NSClient++ Service
NSClient must now be restarted. In Windows open the Services console under Administrative Tools.
If you cannot locate this, use services.msc to open the Services console.
Locate the NSClient++ service.
Right click the NSClient++ service and select Restart.
You can close the Services console as it's no longer required.
www.nagios.com
Copyright © 2024 Nagios Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved. Trademarks are the property of their respective owner.
How To Use NRPE And NSClient++ With Nagios XI
Testing On The Nagios XI Server
Log in as root to the Nagios XI Server and enter the following:
cd /usr/local/nagios/libexec/ ./check_nrpe -H
[IP of the windows system]
You now should see the “I seem to be doing fine...” output, verifying the test is successful.
www.nagios.com
Copyright © 2024 Nagios Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved. Trademarks are the property of their respective owner.
How To Use NRPE And NSClient++ With Nagios XI
Additional Resources
The following documents demonstrate the different ways that NRPE can be utilized.
• Integrating AutoIt With Nagios XI
• Checking For Windows Updates With Nagios XI
• Monitoring Performance Counters in Nagios Using NSClient++
• Windows Memory Usage – Physical
• How to Restart A Windows Service With NRPE
• Using Scripts / Plugins With NSClient++
• Knowledgebase Check Library
Finishing Up
This completes the documentation enabling the NRPE listener in NSClient++ 0.4.x.
If you have additional questions or other support related questions, please visit us at our Nagios
Support Forums:
https://support.nagios.com/forum
The Nagios Support Knowledgebase is also a great support resource:
https://support.nagios.com/kb
www.nagios.com
Copyright © 2024 Nagios Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved. Trademarks are the property of their respective owner.
