Step 1: Deploying PRTG Probe in Containerized Environment:

1. Ensure that you have a PRTG probe deployed within your containerized environment.
2. Deploy the PRTG probe container on a host within the environment.
3. Configure the probe to communicate with your PRTG core server.
4. Ensure that the probe has access to the containers you wish to monitor.

Step 2: Adding Container Host to PRTG:

1. Log in to your PRTG Network Monitor dashboard.
2. Navigate to the "Devices" tab and click on "Add Device."
3. Enter the IP address or hostname of the container host.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the device setup.

Step 3: Configuring Docker or Kubernetes Sensors:

1. After adding the container host, navigate to the "Sensors" tab.
2. Click on "Add Sensor" and select either Docker or Kubernetes, depending on your container orchestration platform.
3. Enter the necessary credentials and connection details for accessing the container environment.
4. Save the sensor settings to initiate container monitoring.

Step 4: Monitoring Container Resource Usage:

1. Once the sensor is added, navigate to its dashboard.
2. Monitor resource usage metrics such as CPU utilization, memory usage, disk I/O, and network traffic.
3. Use real-time graphs to visualize resource utilization trends and identify performance bottlenecks.
4. Set up threshold notifications to receive alerts when resource usage exceeds predefined thresholds.

Step 5: Monitoring Container Performance Metrics:

1. In addition to resource usage, monitor performance metrics such as response time and throughput.
2. Track container health indicators to ensure optimal performance and availability.
3. Utilize historical performance data to analyze trends and identify areas for optimization.
4. Set up alerts for performance degradation or anomalies to proactively address issues.

Step 6: Customizing Alerts and Reports:

1. Customize alert thresholds based on your organization's performance and resource requirements.
2. Configure notification settings to receive alerts via email, SMS, or other channels.
3. Generate custom reports to analyze container resource usage and performance over specific time periods.
4. Schedule automated reports for regular review and capacity planning purposes.

Step 7: Integration with IT Infrastructure:

1. Integrate container monitoring data with other IT infrastructure components in PRTG.
2. Correlate container performance metrics with network performance, server health, and application availability for comprehensive insights.
3. Use PRTG's mapping feature to visualize containerized environments and their dependencies within your network topology.
4. Leverage APIs for further integration with third-party container management tools or custom applications.

By effectively tracking container resource usage and performance with PRTG Network Monitor, organizations can ensure optimal performance, efficiency, and reliability in their containerized environments. Follow the steps outlined in this guide to maximize the benefits of container monitoring within your IT infrastructure.