Prerequisites:

1. PRTG Installation: Ensure PRTG Network Monitor is installed and running in your environment.
2. Administrator Access: You need administrative access to configure sensors and settings in PRTG.
3. Network Device Credentials: Obtain the necessary credentials (SNMP, SSH, etc.) to access your network devices.

Setting Up Configuration Change Monitoring:

1. Add Device(s): In PRTG, navigate to "Devices" and add the network device(s) you want to monitor for configuration changes.
2. Configure Credentials: Provide the appropriate credentials for accessing these devices (e.g., SNMP community strings, SSH credentials).
3. Add Configuration Change Sensor: Click on the device you added, then go to "Add Sensor" > "By Type" > Search for "Configuration" > Select "Configuration Change" sensor.
4. Define Sensor Parameters: Configure the sensor settings, including polling interval, detection method (e.g., SNMP, SSH), and notification triggers.
5. Test Configuration: Verify that the sensor can successfully retrieve configuration information from the device(s).

Monitoring Configuration Changes:

1. Real-time Monitoring: Access the PRTG dashboard to view real-time updates on configuration changes.
2. Historical Analysis: Utilize PRTG's reporting and historical data features to analyze past configuration changes and trends.
3. Alerting: Set up alerts to notify administrators immediately when configuration changes occur. Configure alert triggers based on specific criteria (e.g., unauthorized changes, configuration drift).
4. Customization: Customize dashboards and reports to focus on configuration change metrics that are most relevant to your organization.

Best Practices:

1. Regular Auditing: Schedule regular audits of configuration changes to ensure compliance and security.
2. Baseline Comparison: Establish a baseline of expected configuration settings and compare them against current configurations to identify anomalies.
3. Documentation: Maintain detailed documentation of configuration changes, including timestamps, responsible personnel, and reasons for the change.
4. Collaboration: Foster collaboration between network and system administrators to ensure accurate tracking and interpretation of configuration changes.
5. Training: Provide training to staff on proper configuration change procedures and the importance of monitoring and documentation.

Troubleshooting:

1. Connection Issues: Ensure that PRTG can establish connections to the monitored devices using the configured credentials.
2. Sensor Configuration: Double-check sensor settings, including SNMP community strings, SSH credentials, and polling intervals.
3. Device Compatibility: Verify that the network devices support the selected configuration change detection method (e.g., SNMP, SSH).
4. Resource Utilization: Monitor PRTG server resources to ensure optimal performance, especially when monitoring a large number of devices for configuration changes.

By implementing configuration change monitoring with PRTG Network Monitor, you can enhance the security, compliance, and stability of your network infrastructure. Regular monitoring, analysis, and proactive alerting enable you to detect and respond to configuration changes effectively, minimizing risks and ensuring smooth network operations.