Draft:Openitcockpit

openITCOCKPIT is a multi-tenant web interface developed in PHP for managing the service monitoring software Nagios or Naemon. The project aims to create a user-friendly and easy-to-use interface for monitoring complex IT landscapes. Additionally, openITCOCKPIT provides capabilities to manage distributed systems (Distributed Monitoring) from a central point.

Functionality
Using the openITCOCKPIT interface or its REST API, configuration for Nagios/Naemon can be created. Administrators can utilize host or service templates, where all relevant data is stored (such as which checks should be performed where, how often, who should be notified when, etc.). Subsequently, any user can use these templates, allowing even inexperienced users to work with openITCOCKPIT. Service templates can also be grouped for quicker use.

Once all settings have been made via the frontend—checks created, contacts added, users imported (support for Active Directory or Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is provided)—the configuration can be transferred to Nagios/Naemon with an "Export" function. From this point onward, services are monitored, and their status and graphs are displayed in the openITCOCKPIT interface.

Objects created in openITCOCKPIT (tenants, locations, device groups, permissions, contacts, services, etc.) are listed in a separate "Not monitored" list until the configuration has been activated (exported). In version 3, the export occurs in the background, allowing all users to continue working without interruption.

Components
The backend supports the following engines: Checkmk, Nagios, Naemon, Mod-Gearman, and Statusengine.

Reports
openITCOCKPIT offers various types of reporting. The Instant Report provides an overview of how long a host or service has been in the Ok, Warning, Critical, or unknown status. Auto Reports are detailed reports with SLA graphs and graphs for each service. They also indicate how long a host/service has been in a non-okay state but with more logic. All reports are available in HTML or PDF format.

Timeline
The "Timeline" contains all status changes, sent notifications, acknowledgments, and scheduled downtimes.

Integration
Due to its open RESTful API, openITCOCKPIT can be integrated with ticketing systems, CMDB, Configuration Management, cloud platforms, and SAP. With the extension of the openITCOCKPIT API to include read functionality, the REST API in version 3 is fully operational.

Third-Party Software
In version 3, the modules Nagvis and pnp4nagios have been replaced with modules that offer better scalability and visualization capabilities. Instead of NagVis, the Map Module is used, which scales well even in large environments. The pnp4nagios module has been replaced by an in-house development that offers more appealing data visualization. Both modules integrate better with openITCOCKPIT and are more adaptable to user requirements due to their clearer codebase.

System Requirements
openITCOCKPIT requires a web server with the PHP extension loaded. To utilize its full functionality, various PEAR packages must be installed and loaded. The developers recommend using the Nginx web server. When choosing the operating system, it should be noted that Nagios software can be installed. Starting from version 3, Ubuntu is recommended as the operating system. Debian packages are provided in a separate repository for Ubuntu.

Commercial Extensions
For users who operate openITCOCKPIT in large environments, the manufacturer it-novum offers corresponding support packages and business add-ons. Extensions include, among others, event correlation, SAP (based on SAPCONTROL Webservice, not CCMS), AS/400 or iSeries/i5, and storage management systems (Netapp, Ceph, openATTIC).

Literature
openITCOCKPIT 4.0 with Prometheus and New Monitoring Agent, iX 8/2020 Monitoring System openITCOCKPIT Completely Overhauled in Version 4.0, heise.de, July 23, 2020 Energy Supplier Relies on Integrated IT Service Management with openITCOCKPIT, i-doit, and OTRS, Kommunalwirtschaft 2/2018 Ira Zahorsky: Integrated Service Management for the University Sector, egovernment-computing.de, March 8, 2018 Markus Heinemann: Five New Monitoring Modules for openITCOCKPIT 3.1, admin-magazin.de, July 31, 2017 ''Everything in View. SAP Monitoring with Open Source Tools'', IT-Administrator 6/2017 ''Comprehensively Monitored. Stadtwerke Gießen Utilize Open Monitoring Tool openITCOCKPIT'', stadt+werk 5/2017 Stephan Kraus: ''Open System Management Solution. Introduction of a Nagios-based Umbrella Management Solution at Deutsche BKK'', IT-Banks & Insurances 3/2012, p. 35. Bernd Erk: In Test: Open IT Cockpit, Linux Magazin 01/2011, p. 94. Thomas Bär: Free Flight towards System Monitoring, LANline 12/2010, p. 16. Dieter Heupke: Monitoring as a Managed Service; Seismology, iX 10/2010, p. 114.