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Email and Message Monitoring and Tracking
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Sentra for Message & Email Monitoring is a client-server software application and solution for centralised monitoring, management and tracking of multi-vendor and multi-platform messaging systems. Sentra can track e-mail in X.400 or SMTP protocols as well as middleware like WebSphere MQ.
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- Overview
- Screens
- Features
- Interfaces
- Services
- Demos
- Requires
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The Sentra Message Tracking application can track individual and multiple messages across multiple messaging domains using the same console, subject to the appropriate data fields being made available. Sentra can track e-mail messages which use the X.400 and SMTP (Internet) protocols. Middleware messaging systems such as WebSphere MQ are also supported. Message Tracking user queries are performed against the central data store using a graphical query builder.
Queries can be as detailed or simple as a user requires. For an e-mail message, typical search details might be Sending Time, Message Identifier, Originator or Recipient address. As searches are performed against a single database, results from many Message Transfer Agents (MTAs) can be displayed in a single view. Furthermore, this is a much quicker process than manually examining message logs, which may be the only viable alternative.
The message results view provides details of all originated messages that meet the search criteria. Drill-down facilities provide recipient and diagnostic information, including all events generated to facilitate delivery of message.
The history pane displays the full life-cycle of a message, including information pertaining to the MTAs through which the message has passed, the reports that it has generated, (i.e. Non Deliveries, Deliveries etc.), and the message IDs that it has had as it has passed through any e-mail gateways, such as an X400, SMTP gateway.

Summary of Message Tracking Component :
- Enables significantly faster message tracking than provided by alternative methods.
- Messages can be tracked across multiple messaging systems on multiple platforms from a single console.
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To gain full access to the Sentra for messaging and email product example screenshots, please register with this website (click the 'Register' link - at top right of page).
NOTE: Please provide a company / organisation email address during the registration process.
Once your website registration is approved (usually within 24 hours), then 'Login' to the website and navigate to this Sentra for messaging and email web page and the screenshot examples will be available for viewing at the bottom of the page.
If you are already a member of this website, 'Login' as normal.
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By using 'Sentra Agents' to capture information, Sentra has been designed to be feature rich and offer multi-platform messaging solutions.
The features listed here are available as a single entity or as a package designed for your environment and requirements.
Centralised Management Console
All e-mail server activity monitored by the Sentra application can be viewed through either a single Windows or Web based console.
Graphical e-mail tracking across multiple platforms
Query screens are provided that allows details of specific e-mail messages to be searched for. Results from these queries are displayed as a graphical plot of the route a message has taken across a monitored messaging environment.
Mailbox Activity Monitoring
Additional query screens are provided that allows details of activity on user mailboxes to be monitored. This information includes details of when a message is delivered, moved or deleted.
Remote Management for mail servers
In addition to monitoring the mail server environment, tasks have been developed that allow for remote actions to be performed upon the mail servers themselves. This currently includes the ability manage messaging queues. User can also add their own tasks providing further centralised management capabilities.
Rules Library
An extensive library of rules is available to provide real-time alerting on data captured by these agents, e.g. message queue bottlenecks.
Management Reports
A library of pre-configured reports is also available to provide real-time and historical reporting of all aspects of monitored messaging systems behaviour.
Security Monitoring
Certain mail servers provide a user facility which allows users to logon to other user’s mailboxes. Sentra can monitor this delegate user activity and provide alerts and reports as to when this is taking place.
MS Exchange Data, Queue and Message Store Metrics for MS Exchange 2000 /2003
Collection of messaging, queue and mailbox metrics from the Exchange 2000/2003 mail server.
MS Exchange Data, and Message Store Metrics for MS Exchange 5.5
Collection of messaging data and mailbox statistics such as the size of mailboxes and public folders.
Note: Queue monitoring and mailbox read, delete events etc. are unavailable for Exchange 5.5.
IBM Websphere MQ Monitoring
Monitors the IBM Message Queuing application. The status of the Queue Managers and associated channels are collected and displayed by Sentra Console.
Infonet Messaging and Queue Metrics
Collection of data from the ISS MWP X400 mail server.
Inscribe Messaging and Inscribe Queue Metrics
Collection of data from the Critical Path Inscribe mail server.
Nexor Messaging, Queue, Store and Operations Log Metrics
Collection of messaging, queue, mail store and operations log statistics for the Nexor mail server. Nexor supports X400 and SMTP mail standards. The Nexor SMTP/X400 mail gateway can also be monitored.
IsoGate and IsoNPLEX Messaging
Collection of data from the Isocor SMTP mail server and the Isocor SMTP Gateway server.
MSwitch Messaging, Message Store and Queue Metrics
Collection of data from the Isode MSwitch mail server.
Lotus Domino Messaging
Collection of data from the Lotus Domino mail server.
Clearswift Flashpoint Messaging
Collection of data from the Clearswift Flashpoint mail server.
Sentra for Microsoft Exchange 2007 and Boldon James X400 Bridgehead
Sentra for Microsoft Exchange 2007 allows messages to be tracked from the Exchange mailbox through the Boldon James X400 Bridgehead and onwards to other X400 platforms.
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Sentra has been designed to offer a number of different interfaces :
Sentra Windows Console
The Sentra Windows Console is a single, central console that allows the user to manage all aspects of the messaging environment. The GUI has been designed to be easy to navigate and to allow rapid access to data at all times.
A central feature is the Alert Groups View, which provides a topological representation of the systems being managed. At a glance, it enables the user to see any events or problems that have occurred on the overall managed system. The view is easily customisable, and can be configured to represent a logical network topology or a managed service view.
The GUI Console 'Explorer' view provides an easy and familiar means of configuring, managing and monitoring one or more subsystems. The console is split into three main categories:
- Administration – provides access to user and user group management, including specification of user access permissions to key Sentra features.
- Status – provides access to any of the data captured by Sentra. This includes access to Sentra’s reporting facilities, where users can view reports, or query system data.
- Configuration – provides access to extraction program deployment views, and the rules configuration screens.
View a flash demonstration of the Sentra Windows Console
Sentra Web Console
Sentra’s web console allows Sentra’s functionality to be accessed remotely through a secure web server using an internet browser.
Sentra’s web console supports the concept of real-time digital dashboards. Each dashboard can contain one or more real-time graphical displays of any data that Sentra is configured to capture.
Reports can be displayed in Bar, Line, Pie or Table format with the ability to ‘drill-down’ to more detailed information.
View a flash demonstration of the Sentra Web Console
Sentra Hypervisor
The Sentra Hypervisor provides users with the ability to design and configure their own monitoring views. Users can create their own views which represent key aspects of their business. These views can be configured to highlight system or business problems, and support drilldown capabilities to enable users to link in more detailed technical views. Users can also provide links to dashboard views, or to other web-based third party applications.
View a flash demonstration of Sentra Hypervisor
Sentra Dashboard
Sentra Web can be configured to provide a permanent display of key aspects of managed service performance. One or more real-time dashboard reports can be displayed, each showing a particular aspect of monitored service performance. Dashboards can be linked together, to provide drilldown capabilities.
View a flash demonstration of Sentra Dashboard
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Managing Messaging Services
ITL offer e-mail management for many types of mail server running on Windows, Unix, Linux and HP NSK platforms. Our e-mail specialists can help to run your service more efficiently and securely.
Service Level Agreement Reporting
Sentra offers many built in reports to enable your business to produce billing information for your internal e-mail service.
- Generation of reports to show the percentage of mail delivered within agreed service levels.
- Message volumes handled per mail server
- Hourly, Daily, Weekly trends of message volumes
- Top 100 e-mail senders
- Top 100 e-mail receivers
- Top N largest public folders
Message Tracking
Message tracking is available for many different mail server types
The message tracking facility within Sentra can be utilised to diagnose routing and connection problems on your network.
Our consultants have extensive experience of diagnosing faults within messaging systems using message tracking.
Many difficult to trace faults can only be resolved when a full graphical picture of an e-mail's route can be seen.
Help to diagnose incorrect email addresses.
Report on Non-Delivery information to trace points of failure and quickly resolve.
Mailbox Auditing
Mailbox auditing is available on Microsoft Exchange 2000/2003/2007 :
- Reports are available to show who has logged on to a users mailbox.
- Shows the status of a message - read, unread, deleted, moved and the current folder it is in.
- Track a message that is in a mailbox to see where it originated and who else in the organisation received it.
- Identify messages that have been deleted before they have been read.
- Mailbox statistics show mailbox size and historical usage.
- Auditing can be used to identify incorrect email addresses in your company global address list.
Product Installation, Training and Customisation
Our Messaging Management specialists can provide advice and training on:
Planning the deployment of the Sentra Messaging Management Console
Hardware Configuration
- Designing Alerts and Reports specific to the needs of your organisation and your SLA’s
- Assisting with the deployment and configuration of your messaging platform (MS Exchange/Infonet/Inscibe/Nexor/IsoGate/MSwitch
- Configuration of dashboards for performance monitoring
- Training can be delivered at our Salford offices or at your site
- All training material is prepared and delivered by Sentra Consultants who have at least ten years of IT industry experience
- Hands on labs are included in all our training courses
- All courses offered can be tailored for your specific requirements
MCSE/MCP/MCSA accredited consultants
All of our consultants hold industry recognised certification and have over ten years of IT experience.
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To gain full access to the Sentra for messaging and email product demonstration files, please register with this website (click the 'Register' link - at top right of page).
NOTE: Please provide a company / organisation email address during the registration process.
Once your website registration is approved (usually within 24 hours), then 'Login' to the website and navigate to this Sentra for messaging and email web page and the demonstration files will be available for download at the bottom of the page.
If you are already a member of this website, 'Login' as normal.
Minimum Windows Hardware Requirements
For optimum performance, it is recommended that the minimum specification of your hardware and software is as follows :
- Windows Server 2003 / 2008 / 2008 (R2) / 2012 (64-bit also) with the latest service packs
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 / 2008 / 2012 (64-bit also) with the latest service packs
- Either; Tomcat, IBM WebSphere, JBoss (formerly BEA WebLogic) web application servers (ask ITL about MS Internet Information Services- IIS) - also requires Java SE version 6+ (1.6)
- Browsers; Internet Explorer (IE) ver. 7+, Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox
- Intel Mid to High-End, Multi Core processor
- 16+ GB RAM recommended
- SCSI interface (SCSI2 Ultra-Wide recommended)
- 50 GB Single Drive for operating system and SQL Server software
- 100 GB Single Drive for the SQL server database (RAID 0+1 recommended)
- 20 GB Single Drive for the SQL server log file (RAID 0+1 recommended)
- Graphics resolution 1024 x 768 recommended
- 17" or larger colour monitor is also recommended
The above specification is for guidance only. The specification of your Windows server will be dependent on your individual needs. Please contact the Insider Technologies Helpdesk for assistance in establishing the specification of your server.
SQL Server Versions Supported by Sentra (also install Microsoft SQL Reporting Services)
The Sentra database is compatible with the following variants of SQL Server :
- 2005 / 2008 / 2012 Standard Edition
- 2005 / 2008 / 2012 Enterprise Edition
- 2005 / 2008 / 2012 Developer Edition*
- 2005 / 2008 / 2012 Express – the default installation on the CD uses SQL Express with Advanced services, so that SQL Reporting Services is available
* Some SQL editions include a concurrent workload governor. Performance degrades when more than five queries are executed concurrently. Sentra will work with these versions of SQL Server but performance may be unacceptably slow and its installation is not recommended for high volume usage.
SQL Express editions support databases with a limited maximum size (4Gb for SQL Express 2005). Users who anticipate large database storage requirements should consider installing the Enterprise edition of Microsoft SQL Server, or contact Insider Technologies for advice.
For more information about the Sentra product - Contact Us.
Sentra for Messaging - Profiles Screenshot
Sentra for Messaging - Messaging Queries Screenshot
Sentra for Messaging - Enhanced Message Tracking Screenshot
Sentra for Messaging - SQL Reporting Screenshot
Sentra for Messaging - Outlook Message Tracking Screenshot
Sentra - Message Tracking
Mailbox Activity Monitoring
Outlook Integration
Outlook Integration
Queue Monitoring
Sentra - Multiple Vendor Support
Example Graphical Hypervisor monitoring multiple vendor email message throughput using a browser
Sentra Messaging - MI Report Example using MS SQL Reporting Services
Sentra for Messaging - Profiles Screenshot
Sentra comes preloaded with a number of messaging profiles. These profiles describe a set of extraction layers, rules, charts, reports and alert groups that can be configured using a single screen. The Subsystem Configuration screen will list all applicable profiles together with a brief description of what they do.
 Sentra for Messaging - Messaging Queries Screenshot
Sentra for Messaging provides an easy to use "GUI" environment to enable those responsible for the management and administration of Messaging Applications to track the progress of messages through multi-platform messaging environments.
A number of search options are available from the query launch screen. These are :
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Search Period – Set a period of time using absolute or relative time over which the search will be performed. Times can be specified as relative (e.g. (6 Hours) before now) or absolute (e.g. (12:00 on 1/11/2001).
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Subsystems – Select the names and/or types of the MTA’s that are of interest.
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Originator/Recipient Details - Allows the specification of Message ID, X.400, SMTP or X.500 details that will be used to locate a message. The options available are dependent upon the address type selected.
The selections available in the "Name" field vary according to the "Address Type" Setting.
 Sentra for Messaging - Enhanced Message Tracking Screenshot
The Enhance Message Tracking view displays the search results from a query specified using the Advance SMT Query Launch view. The view is displayed automatically after a query has completed. The message details displayed on this screen are colour co-ordinated according to the message type.
Upon selecting a message from the message details frame, a graphical representation of the path of that message is displayed showing the MTAs the message has passed through. The user can drag and drop the icons to customise the view.
The icon displayed for each MTA is dependent upon its role within that messages passage.
An individual MTA or a route between MTAs can be selected to provide further information, which will be displayed in the Diagnostic pane. Selection of an individual item in the Diagnostic pane will populate the Message Diagnostic Details pane.
 Sentra for Messaging - SQL Reporting Screenshot
Sentra provides support for displaying reports which are designed using Microsoft's SQL Server Reporting Services. These are web-based reports.
 Sentra for Messaging - Outlook Message Tracking Screenshot
Sentra message tracking is now integrated into Outlook, and can be launched by clicking track selected message from the toolbar.

Sentra - Message Tracking
- Sentra can monitor the path that a message takes through many different mail systems, mail gateways, SMTP and X400.
- Diagrams identify whether a message has been delivered.
- Diagrams also identify where an undelivered message may be held.

Mailbox Activity Monitoring
- Sentra can even monitor what happens to mail after it arrives in a user’s mailbox.
- Alerts can be generated, e.g. if a user deletes an urgent message before it has been read.
 Outlook Integration
Privileged users can track their own messages directly from an Outlook session.

Outlook Integration
Privileged users can track their own messages directly from an Outlook session.
 Queue Monitoring
- Monitor important queues, connections and gateways.
- Take control: proactively identify and resolve system bottlenecks.

Sentra - Multiple Vendor Support
- Sentra performs cross-platform monitoring for many different messaging systems.
- Important system problems are easily identified.
- Track messages through gateways e.g. ACP127, ACP145
- Track e-mail when translated from X400 to SMTP, or SMTP to X400.

Sentra - Example Graphical Hypervisor monitoring multiple vendor email message throughput using a browser

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