Check server uptime with Node.js

Question

I am making several HTTP requests at a certain time and wish to check only the return status. There are paths that require login to the application but as it is a very basic script and is not interface test I don’t think it’s necessary to use the Zombie.js or Nightwatch.js

Is there any way to make these requests in restricted areas? There is no API, you would need to authenticate login via form

Answer 1

Solution 1

No status code

I’m not a Node.JS programmer, but I believe a ping would solve your problem.

A quick Google search found the package net-ping.

var ping = require ("net-ping");
var session = ping.createSession ();

session.pingHost (target, function (error, target) {
    if (error)
        console.log (target + ": " + error.toString ());
    else
        console.log (target + ": Alive");
});

Obs.: This solution is not very efficient for your case, as the server may be active, but the service may be down.

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Solution 2

With status code

I found a package that makes the request and displays the code:

Package Request

var request = require('request');
request('http://answall.com', function (error, response, body) {
  if (!error && response.statusCode == 200) {
    console.log(body) // Mostra o HTML da página inicial do StackOverflow.
  }
});

It is not possible to only get the header or status code in an HTTP request, even because it is not the client that controls it.

The request is made as follows:

Client:
- Hello I want the page index.php
Server:
- No, here’s your page

Header: Status 200; Etc...

---

Body of the index.php page

Client:
- Hello, now I want the akjshlahsdasd.html page
Server:
- Sorry, I couldn’t find you.

Header: Status 404; Etc...

---

Body page 404

Client:
- Then give me the page serviceInternal.php
Server:
- Sorry, we’re having technical problems

Header: Status 500; Etc...

---

Body page 500

Client:
- Hmm, then give me database data.ini
Server:
- I’m sorry, you can’t access that file

Header: Status 403; Etc...

---

Body page 403

Note that even for request/server errors the body of an HTML page is returned, this can only be changed in the server’s own settings.

Solution 3

A third solution would be to check if the web port is open, but this port may vary on some servers. The default port is 80, other servers use 8080.

With the package Node-portscanner you can check if the door is open.

> var portscanner = require('portscanner')
undefined
> portscanner.checkPortStatus(443, 'www.google.com', console.log)
> null 'open'
> portscanner.checkPortStatus(80, 'www.google.com', console.log)
undefined
> null 'open'

Obs.: Just as in the first solution this is not very efficient, because the server may be active and the port opened, but the service may have fallen.

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Receiving only server status is only possible if you create an empty page on the server, so you can request it for connection testing, only receiving the request header.

More details about the HTTP protocol:

1. Understanding a little more about the HTTP protocol
2. HTTP protocol