To add a Sensor to the system, you must have administrator privileges on at least one SC. You may either add a Sensor in one step or four simple steps. The four-step process will automatically suggest values for the madatory fields; it is recommended to use the four-step process first, and then use the one-step add process whenever you feel comfortable using it. This helpfile describes using the four-step process. To use the one-step process, click the Jump to Advanced tab. The following table explains the property fields used during the add process.

To add a new Sensor to the system:
  1. Click the "Admin" tab.
  2. Click the "Sensor Admin" tab.
  3. Click the "Add New App" tab.
  4. Step 1: Host SC and SController Type. Choose the SC that will control the Sensor and the SConnector type for the Sensor. Click Proceed to Step 2.
  5. Step 2: Mandatory Properties. SCInterface will suggest mandatory property values for the new Sensor; you may edit the mandatory properties of the Sensor if you wish. If the base path and system user for this Sensor do not exist on the host machine, click the create checkbox to create them. Click Proceed to Step 3.
  6. Step 3: Optional Properties. Specify any optional properties for the Sensor. Click Confirm All Fields.
  7. Step 4: Confirm Properties. Review the properties of the new Sensor. When you are satisfied, click Add New Sensor to add the Sensor.
  8. A success or failure message will display on the page.


Step 2: Mandatory Fields

Field NameDescription
Sensor NameThe name used to describe the sensor within SCInterface.
AddressThe hostname or IP address of the machine on which the sensor resides. Must match the output of the hostname command on that machine.
PortThe port on which the sensor will be available for connections.
SC HostThe name of the SC that will control this sensor. This SC must reside on the same machine as the sensor.
SConnector TypeThe SConnector type of the new sensor.
Base PathThe path to the directory where the sensor executable resides (such as"/home/appUser/"). If the directory does not exist and you would like to create it, check the create checkbox.
OwnerThe name of the owner for the sensor. The owner will receive support tickets submitted for the sensor.
System UserThe username of the user on the machine where the sensor resides who will run the sensor. If the user does not exist and you would like to create them, check the create checkbox. By default, this user's home directory will become the base path.
Status Cache Interval:When SCInterface caches the status for a particular sensor, this is the interval that the 'status' macro values are expired and the sensor data needs to be updated. Set this value to '0' (without quotes) to disable caching for this sensor.
DisabledToggle this on to disable the SC and all sensors associated with this SC

Step 3: Optional Fields

Some of these fields may not be present within your interface. This can depend on the macro or command actually existing for the sensor or SC and if the sensor or SC is running or not.

Field NameDescription
Host Startup ActionChoose a command that the SC will run for this sensor when the SC is (re)started.
Scan PortFor sensors that have a second port that monitoring programs, this is the value for that port.
ShellThis is the default system 'shell' that this sensor will run under when executing the sensor. This is primarily used for Linux/BSD/Unix sensors only.
MD5 ChecksumsThe output of an md5sum command. SCInterface will check to see that it is correct.
Example:"11f7af1d55c5922e99615816fe2fcb0e install.sh 036cb89b14f5dcc0e97dbbb148003da7 libpqxx-2.4.2-1.i586.rpm" would allow you to verify the checksums of install.sh and libpqxx-2.4.2-1.i586.rpm.
Default Startup ParametersThese are the default parameters that are accessible from the configuration section of the web interface.
Alter Config OptionsThe Alter Config section provides a means to easily modify common parameters stored in configuration files. The 'Alter Config' settings can be changed by a normal user under the config interface for the sensor. Click on the 'Configuration' tab and then select 'Alter Config' tab.
Forced ParamsThe parameters that will always be sent at execution time.
Abs Path to ExeThe location of the actual program executable. Check the create symbolic link checkbox to create a symbolic link to the executable in the sensor's base directory.
Config DirThe path to the directory which contains configuration files. Click the create symbolic link checkbox to create a symbolic link to the executable in the sensor's base directory.
Install Files and Default Config SettingsChoose this option when adding a new sensor to install the sensor dependencies from the SCInterface installer repository. If this field is disabled, the sensor dependencies can be installed manually from the sensors config section under the 'Overview' tab or under the 'Commands' tab (select the 'Install') command to (re)install the sensor dependencies.
Start after installChoose this option if you wish for the sensor to automatically start after installing the dependencies.
After AddingThe page to bring up after this sensor has been added. You may either view the Admin page for the sensor, or add another sensor.
Related Topics:
Editing a Sensor
Deleting a Sensor