If you want to monitor services running on yourlinux machine you have multiple options. But if you don’t want to install any additional software or applications, you can do it with a very simple perl script. (you need MIME::Lite module to be installed though).

In order to install MIME::Lite you have to execute the command bellow using a bash shell:

cpan -i MIME::Lite

Or you can open a perl shell:

perl -MCPAN -e shell

and then issuing:

install MIME::Lite

Create a perl script as follows:

!/usr/bin/env perl

use strict;
use warnings;
use MIME::Lite;
 
#define email address
my $email = '[email protected]';
 
#define services to be monitored
my @services = ('httpd', 'mysql', 'pure-ftpd', 'named', 'lfd', 'exim', 'authdaemond', 'crond', 'spamd', 'upsd', 'snmpd', 'mrtg', 'pptpd', 'vnstatd', 'mrtg', 'monit', 'nagios');
my $host = `/bin/hostname`;
chomp $host;
 
foreach my $service(@services) {
my $status = /bin/ps cax | /bin/grep $service;
if (! $status) {
print "ALERT! $host: $service not running\n";
}
}
 
my $msg = MIME::Lite->new (
Subject => 'Service monitor for $host',
From => 'root@host',
To => $email,
Type => 'text/html',
Data => '',
);
 
$msg->send();

Replace my email with your real email address. Save the scripts as linux-services-monitor.pl, make it executable.

Run the script. If any of your services is not running you will be shown a message on the screen and also an email will be sent to you. The script is really basic and can be highly customized according to your needs.

Have fun!