Approximately one year has passed since the idea of creating a website monitoring device emerged, and it is now fully ready for continuous use. During this period, we took into account all feedback and added the necessary functionality to meet basic needs.
The website monitoring device, developed by the hosting company SYNAY, was originally designed to alert website owners about their resource's unavailability.
The final version supports multiple notification methods:
- Bright LEDs
- Loud audio signal
- Remote notifications (SMS and 3 calls with short intervals)
The device's primary goal is to instantly inform the owner of website issues, allowing them to address problems before clients notice. Settings allow customization of the check interval and the number of failed connection attempts.
How does the monitoring work?
There are two monitoring scenarios:
-
Website completely unavailable (no response on the specified port, default — 443).
- Green LED turns off, red LED turns on.
- Audio alarm activates.
- An SMS is sent, and 3 calls are made to the specified number.
-
Website responds but with an error (response code is not 200).
- Green LED remains on (connection exists, but the site is malfunctioning).
- Red LED turns on.
- After the specified number of checks, an audio alarm activates (different signal from the first case).
- An SMS is sent, and 3 calls are made.
Once the website resumes normal operation, the alarm deactivates. The device continues monitoring in the background. The current version uses a HEAD request, ensuring compatibility with any website.
Settings and Management
Key parameters (check interval, timeouts, notification number) are configured via a web interface and typically set once.
On the back panel, there are two buttons:
-
White button — alarm delay.
- Each press adds +1 hour without notifications.
- To cancel the delay, hold the button for 5 seconds.
- Useful for scheduled website maintenance (e.g., in a data center).
- In this mode, only an SMS is sent during unavailability, without calls or audio signals.
-
Blue button — silent mode.
- Disables audio notifications (SMS, calls, and LEDs remain active).
- Also allows quick silencing of the alarm when triggered.
In normal operation, the green LED flickers with a "rotating" animation, indicating the device is functioning and not frozen (a similar animation is displayed on the screen).
Additional Features
- Autonomous operation: Built-in 3500 mAh battery provides up to 6 hours of operation without external power.
- Remote management:
- Send an SMS "Delay N" (where N is the time in minutes) to activate a delay. For example, "Delay 480" sets an 8-hour delay.
- "Status" — request the current website status and remaining delay time.
- "Delay 0" — cancel the delay.
Thus, regardless of your location, you will always be informed about your website's status. The device is especially useful for online business owners, and its classic design allows it to be placed in a prominent location.
Project codename: "Googly-Eyes". In our lab, we continue to develop unique but practical devices for digital businesses.