Applications Systems

Monitor an external website in SAM

This article describes how you can monitor an external website.

First published date

11/29/2018 10:34 PM

Last published date

6/29/2026 3:35 PM

Overview

This KB will guide you through to monitor external websites:

The website needs to be added as a node (external node) and assign a http/https monitor to the node.

Product section

Server Application Monitor

Resolution

  1. If the website you want to monitor is an external website you first have to add the node in as an external node.

    If for some reason you are unable to add the website as a node -> most likely cannot ping that website from the SolarWinds polling engine and you will need to open whichever firewall/ports are blocking that.

  2. Add the node to an HTTP or HTTPS monitor by going to Settings -> SAM Settings -> Manage Templates -> Assign to node ->  Select "External Node: No Status

    (No data is collected for this node. Useful for monitoring a hosted application or other elements on the node but not the node itself.) image.png

  3. Edit the component monitor, and click Override Template to add/modify URL

  4. Modify the URL section with the exact URL you are testing against: 

  5. Click Submit.

Prerequisite for external website monitoring

- For external websites, the HTTP/HTTPS check is performed from the assigned polling engine.
- Before assigning the monitor, verify that the polling engine can access the exact website URL.
- If the polling engine cannot reach the site, work with your network or firewall team to allow access first.
- If the website does not require authentication, credentials are not required for the monitor.
- After confirming access from the polling engine, assign the appropriate HTTP or HTTPS monitor and override the URL if needed.