This article applies as of PRTG 25
Introduction to the PRTG API interface
Users can customize and extend the functionality of PRTG Network Monitor using the following options:
- HTTP API: Access monitoring data and manipulate monitoring objects using HTTP requests
- Custom Sensors: Create your own sensors for customized monitoring
- Custom Notifications: Create your own notifications to send alarms to external systems
- Mini Probe API: (deprecated) Create your own small probes to get monitoring data from any platform
Working with the PRTG API can quickly become a technical challenge and it is no everyday task. In most cases, the knowledge of an experienced software developer or web developer is required to work with the API. All API features described on this page as well as their usage are not covered by the usual Paessler support team. Please understand that it may take a few days to receive an answer to inquiries about API features from Paessler Support. In general, we cannot provide support for web design issues involving your own CSS and HTML.
HTTP API
The HTTP API offers the following functionality:
- Authentication, error handling, and optional encryption
- Functions for getting live object and status data as well as live graphs
- Functions for getting historic sensor data and graphs
- Functions for manipulating objects (for example edit, add, delete)
You can use it via simple HTTP GET requests (either HTTP or HTTPS). Sample Call:
http://yourserver/api/table.xml?content=sensortree
Detailed HTTP API documentation
Please find a detailed documentation of all HTTP API functions in the PRTG Manual: Application Programming Interface (API) Definition. There, you will also find information about the interactive query builder.
Note: Only the documentation that comes with your PRTG installation fits exactly the PRTG version you are running.
Custom sensors
Custom sensors allow a number of monitoring tasks that go far beyond the standard sensor set to be performed. Apart from parameterized versions of SNMP, packet sniffer sensors, and NetFlow sensors you can create your own sensors using WQL (WMI Query Language) and by compiling an EXE file, using any Windows software development tool.
More details about custom sensors:
- PRTG Manual: Custom Sensors
- PRTG Sensor Hub
- Ready-to-use custom sensors at PRTG Tools Family
- Tag set "custom-sensor" in this Knowledge Base: Find all Knowledge Base articles containing any kind of information regarding custom sensors
- Tag set "custom-script-exe" in this Knowledge Base: Find all Knowledge Base articles containing customized scripts/programs for PRTG shared by PRTG users
- Wrote your own script/program for PRTG and want to share it: How can I share my self-written PRTG script/program with other PRTG users?
Note: With PRTG custom sensors, you can use PRTG Manual: Placeholders for Notifications.
Custom notifications
Custom notifications allow you to run any script or program as a notification. Connected with a trigger connected with a sensor's settings, you can initiate a desired action—even far beyond a notification itself. This is a powerful tool to react to specific situations in your network.
Among the possibilities are the following scenarios:
- Reboot a computer with a WMI call
- Script text message notifications with Windows PowerShell (using an SMS text message provider service)
- Send text message notifications via a modem or a mobile phone (using third-party software)
- How can I execute a batch file as a notification?
Note: With PRTG notifications, you can use PRTG Manual: Placeholders for Notifications.
Mini Probe API
Important notice: The information in this article is outdated. Mini probes are deprecated as the OpenSSL version required to run them is out of support. You can no longer install new mini probes.
The PRTG Mini Probe interface allows you to create small probes on any device and on any operating system. They help gathering monitoring data from platforms where it is not possible or not suitable to use the PRTG common local and remote probes. Basically, this takes the Custom Sensors concept to a higher level: You have a very broad range of possibilities and can implement amazing functions.
More
PRTG Sensor Hub | Write your own script and share it! Or find what other PRTG users have made.