Open source server monitoring tools work similarly to closed source in that they both gather metrics from endpoints to enable system administrators to gather critical information about their IT infrastructure.
However, open source monitoring tools, like all open source software, are different from closed source tools in a number of ways.
Most importantly: open source utilizes communication protocols and data schemas that are available for anyone to use and modify.
This means that open source monitoring tools are designed with flexibility and extensibility in mind. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for users because it allows them to customize the tool to fit unique organizational processes and needs.
Open source monitoring tools can be used, for example, to implement custom checks and analysis, making them much more customizable than closed source tools.