3 Beginner Server Monitoring Books to Build Your Foundation

When Elizabeth S Graham set out to write this book, her goal was clear: provide an accessible path for beginners to grasp network security monitoring using free tools. The book walks you through setting up and using Security Onion 2.3.2, with practical exercises that help you identify and analyze suspicious network traffic firsthand. You’ll learn how to install, configure, and operate essential open-source software to detect malware and intrusions, even if you’re new to the field. This hands-on approach makes it especially useful if you want to build foundational skills without being overwhelmed by jargon or overly technical explanation. It’s ideal for anyone eager to understand how to protect their network through active monitoring rather than passive observation.

This isn't another server monitoring book promising vague benefits; Ewere Diagboya delivers a clear path to mastering Amazon CloudWatch for practical infrastructure management. You’ll learn how to monitor diverse AWS services like EC2, Lambda, and RDS through real-world examples, gaining skills in anomaly detection, automated alerting, and cost tracking. The chapters on setting up dashboards and configuring EventBridge stand out for their hands-on clarity, making complex observability concepts accessible. If you're looking to sharpen your cloud monitoring capabilities with a focus on actionable AWS tools, this book fits well—but it assumes some familiarity with AWS basics, so newcomers without any experience might find it a bit dense initially.

This personalized book takes you on a progressive journey from novice to confident server monitoring practitioner. It carefully focuses on your interests and skill level to introduce core concepts gradually, removing overwhelm with clear, foundational explanations. Through a tailored learning pace, it builds your understanding of key tools, monitoring metrics, and alerting basics, helping you develop competence step-by-step. The content is designed to match your background and address your specific goals, allowing you to gain practical knowledge without unnecessary complexity. By personalizing the learning experience, this book reveals how to monitor servers effectively while building your confidence and comfort along the way.

Joe Dissmeyer distills years of hands-on IT experience into this practical guide that demystifies SolarWinds Orion NPM for those stepping into network monitoring. You’ll learn how to install and configure the software to monitor a diverse range of devices, from Windows and Linux servers to wireless and virtual networks. The book walks you through setting up alerts and generating reports that keep your network’s health visible and manageable. If you’re a systems administrator or engineer with basic networking knowledge aiming to get a solid grip on SolarWinds Orion, this book lays out a clear, approachable path.