What is described as using preexisting or embedded software to conduct monitoring activities?

Agentless monitoring refers to the method of conducting monitoring activities without the need for installing specific software agents on the systems or devices being monitored. Instead, it utilizes preexisting or embedded software functionalities within the operating system or application, which allow for data collection and monitoring. This approach is often preferred for its simplicity and reduced resource consumption since it does not require additional software installations that might create overhead or require maintenance.

For instance, agentless monitoring can leverage SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation), or other standardized protocols built into the systems being monitored, thus providing a streamlined way to gather metrics and insights. This differs from agent monitoring, which relies on dedicated software components installed on each device. The benefits of agentless monitoring include easier deployment in large environments and minimizing the administrative overhead associated with managing additional software agents.