There’s no shortage of software for monitoring networks, but what happens if the monitors fails?
To remedy that possibility, Paessler AG has added failover clustering to the version 8 of its Windows-based PRTG Network Monitor, one of a number of added features/
“This is one of the most important releases in the company’s history,” said Ken Sanofsky, general manager of German-based Paessler’s North American division.
Up to four complete versions of Network Monitor can now be linked to the master server. If the master goes down, the next node in the chain becomes active, along with the database store.
“It takes us into a much better area for making sure the IT department is secure,” Sanofsky said by making what the company calls a fail-safe monitor.
Other changes include added functions for creating custom network maps. For those with more than location, there’s now Google Maps support. Those who need remote access to their networks from handhelds may appreciate the mini-HTML interface for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and Windows Mobile devices.
Arguably one of the biggest changes is not in the software but in its pricing. Paessler has dropped the pay by add-ons model which Network Monitor and many competitors use to four levels based on the number of sensors. A sensor can be a port on a switch or a specific piece of data the monitor pulls. Network Monitor now includes 80 sensor types.