Agent vs Agentless

Before creating a network monitoring solution, you should decide where to deploy monitors. Some vendors offer agent monitoring, while others offer agentless monitoring.

In an agent monitoring solution, an agent is installed on the actual server and usually reports back to a central console. An agentless solution, on the other hand, has a central console that queries servers and other network devices. The Cuevision Network Monitor is a hybrid, because it is small and un-intrusive. It can act as an agent-based or agentless monitoring system.

So which one is better? Well, they both have their advantages. However, the best advantage is with agentless monitoring for its ease of deployment and lower cost. Mercury Interactive has a white paper titled "Agentless Management: Ready for Primetime," which goes into further depth about the subject.