What to do when Teamviewer goes offline as the PC goes into “connected standby” mode

The power saving feature “connected standby” of Windows 10 causes PCs to go offline from Teamviewer, so you can’t wake them up and connect/control them. But there is a trick that stops this behavior.

Continue reading “What to do when Teamviewer goes offline as the PC goes into “connected standby” mode”

How to Monitor all available Wifi Networks and their Signal Strengths with PRTG (Custom Sensor Script)

In this article I will show how to monitor all available wifi networks (SSIDs) and their signal strength using PRTG.

Continue reading “How to Monitor all available Wifi Networks and their Signal Strengths with PRTG (Custom Sensor Script)”

The Basics of Modbus Monitoring with PRTG Network Monitor (With Custom Sensor Script)

Article explains how Modbus/TCP works and shows how to monitor Modbus/TCP enabled devices with PRTG Network Monitor

The Modbus protocol has been around forever (since 1979 to be exact) and is used by many industrial systems, but also energy systems like heat pumps and solar converters. Initially it was used via serial communications, then – in 2007 – a TCP based version was created that communicates via TCP, usually using port 502.

The following article explains how Modbus/TCP works and shows how I can monitor Modbus/TCP enabled devices with PRTG Network Monitor using a simple PowerShell script.

I wish I could share a one-size-fits-all script that just works for most people. But unfortunately this task usually requires some hacking and coding…

Continue reading “The Basics of Modbus Monitoring with PRTG Network Monitor (With Custom Sensor Script)”

Monitoring solar panels and our home’s energy usage/mix via Modbus using PRTG (ft. SMA Sunny Island and SMA Sunny Tripower)

We have solar panels on our roof which are able to generate a peak power of 10 kW. An energy controller controls the converter, our heat pump and our battery with the goal that most of the solar energy is used locally. First we use the solar energy in our home, we charge the 230V-battery, and we load the heat storage tank. Only if even more solar power is generated we send the rest into the grid.

To visualize this and I am monitoring this system with PRTG using the Modbus protocol.

Continue reading “Monitoring solar panels and our home’s energy usage/mix via Modbus using PRTG (ft. SMA Sunny Island and SMA Sunny Tripower)”