Remote Server Monitoring with sshforward
When you install sshforward on a machine, it doesn't just provide SSH access — it also reports basic system metrics to your web dashboard. You get a live overview of all your machines' health without installing any additional monitoring tools.
What You Get
Every registered machine automatically reports:
- CPU usage — current utilization so you can spot overloaded machines.
- Disk space — free and total disk space to catch machines running low before they become a problem.
- OS info — operating system and version, so you always know what's running where.
All of this shows up in the Machines section of your sshforward dashboard, giving you a fleet-wide overview at a glance.
How It Works
1. Create a Free Account
Sign up at sshforward.net and pick a handle (e.g. alice).
2. Install on Your Machines
On each machine you want to monitor:
sudo sshforward.net install
That's it. Metrics are enabled by default. The sshforward client collects basic system information and sends it to your dashboard automatically.
3. Check the Dashboard
Log in to sshforward.net and go to the Machines section. You'll see all your machines listed with their current metrics.
Disabling Metrics
If you prefer not to send metrics for a specific machine, you can disable them:
For a running instance:
sshforward.net --no-metrics persist
When installing:
sudo sshforward.net --no-metrics install
The machine will still be reachable over SSH — only the metrics reporting is turned off.
Common Use Cases
- Home servers: Keep an eye on disk space and CPU usage of machines running at home while you're away.
- Remote devices: Monitor Raspberry Pis, edge devices, or machines in locations you can't easily visit.
- Fleet overview: See the status of all your machines in one place — which are online, which are running low on resources.
- Early warning: Catch disk space issues or high CPU usage before they cause downtime.
Get Started
Install sshforward on your machines and get monitoring for free — no extra tools, no configuration.
Create a free account to get started.