Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is ACS Monitor?
ACS Monitor is a self-hosted network and infrastructure monitoring platform designed for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). It provides comprehensive monitoring including SNMP, HTTP, Ping, TCP, SSH, DNS, and SMTP checks, all running on your own server. See the Introduction for a full overview.
Who is ACS Monitor for?
ACS Monitor is built specifically for MSPs and IT service companies that need to monitor client infrastructure. It is also suitable for any organisation that wants a self-hosted monitoring solution with a predictable, flat-rate licensing model rather than per-device pricing.
How is ACS Monitor different from other monitoring tools?
ACS Monitor is self-hosted (your data stays on your server), has simple flat-rate licensing (no per-device fees), deploys in minutes via a one-line install command, and is built from the ground up for the workflows that MSPs actually use. There are no hidden costs or complex pricing tiers based on feature sets — every tier gets the full feature set.
Installation and Setup
What operating systems are supported?
ACS Monitor supports AlmaLinux 9.x and Ubuntu 22.04+ as host operating systems. AlmaLinux 9 is the recommended platform. The application is installed automatically, so the host OS only needs a supported Linux distribution. See System Requirements for full details.
How long does installation take?
A typical installation takes 3-10 minutes depending on your server's internet speed and hardware. The one-line install command handles everything automatically, including runtime setup, service deployment, and configuration. See the Quick Start Guide.
Can I install ACS Monitor on a server that already has other software?
Yes. ACS Monitor is installed automatically and will not interfere with other software on the host. However, ensure ports 80 and 443 are available for the web dashboard. If these ports are in use, you can configure alternative ports after installation.
Licensing and Billing
Is there a free tier?
Yes. The Free tier supports up to 100 combined devices and service monitors with no time limit and no credit card required. It includes the full feature set, identical to paid tiers. You can use it indefinitely or upgrade at any time. See Tiers and Pricing.
What counts towards my device/monitor cap?
Devices (hosts being monitored) and standalone service monitors are counted together. For example, 60 devices + 40 standalone service monitors = 100 total. Individual checks on a device (e.g., SNMP + ping on the same host) do not count separately — only the device itself counts as one unit.
What happens when I reach my cap?
When you reach your tier's device/monitor cap, you will not be able to add new devices or monitors. All existing monitoring continues without interruption. You can either remove existing devices/monitors or upgrade to a higher tier to increase your cap.
Can I upgrade my tier at any time?
Yes. You can upgrade from any tier to a higher tier at any time from your dashboard. The new cap takes effect immediately. If upgrading from one paid tier to another, Stripe handles prorated billing automatically. See Upgrading Your Tier.
How does billing work?
Paid tiers (Pro and Enterprise) are billed annually via Stripe. You are charged on sign-up and then automatically each year on the renewal date. You can cancel at any time — your service continues until the end of the paid period, then reverts to the Free tier. See Cancellation and Refunds.
Technical
Does ACS Monitor need a permanent internet connection?
ACS Monitor needs internet access for license validation heartbeats and update checks. However, if connectivity is temporarily lost, all monitoring continues to function normally. The license is cached locally, and heartbeats resume when connectivity is restored. See How Licensing Works.
Can I run multiple ACS Monitor instances?
Yes. You can register multiple servers under a single account, each with its own license key, tier, and device/monitor cap. This is common for MSPs that deploy separate monitoring instances for different clients or office locations.
How do updates work?
When a new version is available, it will be indicated in your ACS Monitor dashboard. Updates can be applied with a single click from the Settings page.
How long is monitoring data retained?
Data retention depends on your metrics retention settings and available disk space. By default, monitoring metrics are retained for a generous period, but you can configure retention policies within your ACS Monitor instance to match your needs.
Account and Security
Does ACS Monitor support two-factor authentication?
Yes. The licensing platform (this website) supports two-factor authentication (2FA) using TOTP authenticator apps. You can enable 2FA from your profile settings to add an extra layer of security to your account.
What if I forget my password?
Use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to receive a password reset email. If you cannot access your email, contact support@acsmon.com for assistance.