> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.enginsight.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.enginsight.com/docs/manual/english/platform-usage/observations.md).

# Observations

In Enginsight, an Observation is the agentless monitoring of a domain or network device on which Pulsar cannot be installed. Observations are performed using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), ping monitoring, or port monitoring.

Enginsight uses the Watchdog component for observations.

{% hint style="success" icon="lightbulb" %}
For more information on how the Watchdog behaves on a network, see our Knowledge Base: [How does the Enginsight Watchdog behave on the network?](https://docs.enginsight.com/docs/knowledge-base/english/watchdog/how-does-the-enginsight-watchdog-behave-on-the-network)
{% endhint %}

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## Requirements

* To perform an Observation, you must [install the Enginsight Watchdog component](/docs/manual/english/installation-and-configuration/installation-and-configuration/enginsight-components/watchdog.md#install-watchdog) in the network segment you want to scan.
* During installation, make sure that the [component server](/docs/manual/english/installation-and-configuration/system-requirements/komponentenserver-hacktor-watchdog-observer.md#system-requirements-component-server) and the [Watchdog component meet the system requirements](/docs/manual/english/installation-and-configuration/system-requirements/komponentenserver-hacktor-watchdog-observer.md#additional-requirements-watchdog).
* Also ensure that the server on which Watchdog is installed can communicate with the selected target systems. Check your [firewall settings](/docs/manual/english/installation-and-configuration/system-requirements/komponentenserver-hacktor-watchdog-observer.md#firewall-rules-component-server) if necessary.

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## Observations: Menu Structure

<i class="fa-computer-mouse">:computer-mouse:</i> Click the **Observations** icon ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/V7OrHgKXA0t1jankQBYf/blobs/KuuNuNbqbW5dtjQrhi8I/Enginsight-Menue%20Icon-Observations.jpg) in the sidebar to open the **Observations** menu.

The **Observations** menu is structured as follows:

{% columns %}
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<figure><img src="https://2423388680-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FV7OrHgKXA0t1jankQBYf%2Fuploads%2FqJLCqbYSA9WjUyW8PMVF%2FEnginsight-EN-Menu-Observations.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=75b8ff62-b9ee-474c-99f5-20dce7bbb6de" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
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{% column width="66.66666666666667%" %}

* [Issues](/docs/manual/english/platform-usage/observations/issues.md): Here you can find an overview of all open issues detected by your Watchdogs while monitoring your target systems.
* [SNMP](/docs/manual/english/platform-usage/observations/snmp.md):
  * [Sensors](/docs/manual/english/platform-usage/observations/snmp/sensors.md): Here you can create SNMP sensors to monitor target systems based on Management Information Bases (MIB) using the Simple Network Management Protocol.
  * [Custom MIBs](/docs/manual/english/platform-usage/observations/snmp/custom-mibs.md): Here you can upload vendor-specific or custom MIB files for SNMP monitoring to the Enginsight platform.
* [Health Checks](/docs/manual/english/platform-usage/observations/health-checks.md):
  * [Ping Monitoring](/docs/manual/english/platform-usage/observations/health-checks/ping-monitoring.md): Here you can create ping checks to monitor the availability of target systems using ping.
  * [Port Monitoring](/docs/manual/english/platform-usage/observations/health-checks/port-monitoring.md): Here you can create port checks to monitor the availability of target systems based on whether specific ports are reachable.
* [Required Services](/docs/manual/english/platform-usage/observations/required-services.md):
  * [Watchdogs](/docs/manual/english/platform-usage/observations/required-services/watchdogs.md): Here you can find an overview of all configured Watchdogs for monitoring. You can also add further Watchdogs.
    {% endcolumn %}
    {% endcolumns %}

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## Further Resources

**Knowledge Base**

* [How can I retrieve the logs of the Enginsight component Watchdog?](https://docs.enginsight.com/docs/knowledge-base/english/logging/how-can-i-retrieve-the-logs-of-the-enginsight-component-watchdog)
* [How does the Enginsight Watchdog behave on the network?](https://docs.enginsight.com/docs/knowledge-base/english/watchdog/how-does-the-enginsight-watchdog-behave-on-the-network)

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