System and method for monitoring server performance using a server

At a server system that is to be monitored, a method of enhancing performance monitoring for a server system by reducing polling time through the reduction in the number of queries generated to monitor the performance of a plurality of various services provided by the monitored server system, the method comprising:

• the step of receiving a single query from a server system that is to poll, wherein the single query requests a compilation of information about the performance of a plurality of different services offered by the monitored server system;
• the step of determining the plurality of different services that information about the performance thereof is requested;
• the step of the monitored server system generating one reply that includes the compilation of information about the performance of the plurality of the different services offered by the monitored server system, wherein the compilation indicates that at least a first of the plurality of different services has one or more performance deficiencies, and wherein the step of generating one reply that includes the compilation of information includes:
• in response to receiving the single query and determining the plurality of different services, gathering a first set of data about the plurality of different services and adding the first set of data to the reply;
• and
• adding a second set of data to the reply, the second set of data including information about the plurality of different services, the second set of data being gathered by the monitored server system autonomously and independent of receipt of the single query;
• the step of transmitting the compilation from the monitored server system to the polling server system, without transmitting the information about the performance of the plurality of the different services in a piecemeal fashion;
• and
• based on the indication that the at least one of the plurality of different services has one or more performance deficiencies, the step of receiving with increased frequency polling requests for information about the performance deficiencies for the at least one of the plurality of different services.

At a server system that is to poll, one or more storage-type computer-readable media for implementing a method of enhancing performance monitoring for a server system by reducing polling time through the reduction in the number of queries generated to monitor the performance of a plurality of various services provided by the monitored server system, the one or more storage-type computer-readable media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing the following:

• the step of generating a single query requesting a compilation of information about the performance of a plurality of different services offered by a server system that is to be monitored;
• the step of transmitting the single query from the polling server system to the monitored server system;
• the step of, at the polling server system, receiving one reply that includes the compilation of information about the performance of the plurality of the different services offered by the monitored server system, without receiving the information about the performance of the plurality of the different service in a piecemeal fashion, wherein the compilation includes:
• a first set of information about one or more of the plurality of different services offered by the monitored server system and gathered by the monitored server system in response to its receipt of the single query transmitted from the polling server system;
• and
• a second set of information about one or more of the plurality, of different services, which second set of information was gathered by the monitored server system autonomously and using at least one interval established in the monitored server system as opposed to the polling server system;
• and
• the step of using the compilation of information to update at least a first and a second server system lists with information on the monitored server system, wherein server systems included within the first server system list are polled more frequently than server systems included within the second server system list.

At a computer system that is to be monitored, one or more storage-type computer-readable media for implementing a method of enhancing performance monitoring for a server system by reducing polling time through the reduction in the number of queries generated to monitor the performance of a plurality of various services provided by the monitored server system, the one or more storage-type computer-readable media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing the following:

• the step of receiving a single query from a server system that is to poll, wherein the single query requests a compilation of information about the performance of a plurality of different services offered by the monitored server system;
• the step of determining the plurality of different services that information about the performance thereof is requested;
• the step of the monitored server system generating on reply that includes the compilation of information about the performance of the plurality of the different services offered by the monitored server system wherein the compilation indicates that at least a first of the plurality of different services has one or more performance deficiencies, and wherein the step of generating one reply that includes the compilation of information includes:
• in response to receiving the single query and determining the plurality of different services, gathering a first set of data about the plurality of different services and adding the first set of data to the reply;
• and
• adding a second set of data to the reply, the second set of data including information about the plurality of different services, the second set of data being gathered by the monitored server system autonomously and independent of receipt of the single query;
• the step of transmitting the compilation from the monitored server system to the polling server system, without transmitting the information about the performance of the plurality of the different services in a piecemeal fashion;
• and
• based on the indication that the at least one of the plurality of different services has one or more performance deficiencies, the step of receiving with increased frequency polling requests for information about the performance deficiencies for the at least one of the plurality of different services.

At a server system that is to poll, a method of enhancing performance monitoring for a server system by reducing polling time through the reduction in the number of queries generated to monitor the performance of a plurality of various services provided by the monitored server system, the method comprising:

• the act of generating a single query requesting a compilation of information about the performance of a plurality of different messaging services offered by a monitored server system, wherein the plurality of different messaging services offered by the monitored server system include a directory service, a message store service, and a message transfer agent service, wherein the single query is generated using polling software installed on the polling server system, and wherein the polling server system is connected to the monitored server system over a network;
• the act of transmitting the single query from the polling server system to the monitored server system over the network;
• the act of receiving one reply that includes the compilation of information about the performance of the plurality of the different messaging services offered by the monitored server system, including about at least the directory service, message store service, and message transfer agent service, without receiving the information about the performance of the plurality of the different messaging services in a piecemeal fashion, wherein the compilation includes:
• a first set of information about one or more of the plurality of difference messaging services, which first set of information was gathered by the monitored server system in response to its receipt of the single query;
• and
• a second set of information about one or more of the plurality of different messaging services, which second set of information was gathered by the monitored server system autonomously, and which includes:
• information about a buffer service associated with the message store service, which information was gathered autonomously by the monitored server system at a first interval;
• and
• information about a facility for updating the buffer service, wherein the facility tests communications between the buffer service and the message store service, and wherein the information about the facility was gathered autonomously by the monitored server system at a second interval greater than the first interval;
• the act of determining that the compilation indicates a deficiency in at least one deficient service of the plurality of the different messaging services;
• and
• using the compilation to update a critical server system list with information on the monitored server system, such that the monitored server system is polled by the polling server system more frequently than other servers associated with normal server systems when the compilation indicates a deficiency in even a single of the plurality of different messaging services.