Watching the status of a network from an iPhone or iPad using a remote monitoring application is convenient, but then comes the problem of getting the attention of staff to make a correction
Paessler AG, which makes the iPRTG application for iOS devices that can see networks that use the company’s premise-based PRTG Network Monitor, thinks it has a better idea.
Version 3.0 of iPRTG now includes a “send mail” function that allows a network administrator to send an email that includes a link to a suspect object in PRTG.
That way, said Paessler’s Ken Sanofsky, staff will know exactly what device the manager is concerned about, as well a message on what to do.
The feature is one of a number of improvements to iPRTG that extend the usability of mobile devices to IT administrators, said Sanofsky, Paessler’s general manger for North America.
However, this and other new features aren’t available yet on the Android version of the mobile application, called PRTGdroid. Both it and iPRTG are aimed at IT admins, Sanofsky said, but don’t necessarily match on features. He wouldn’t say if the next release of PRTGdroid will have all of the new features in iPTG.
Other capabilities now in iPRTG 3.0 include the ability to change the settings on a PRTG-enabled network sensor or device settings remotely; an added view for log entries; the ability to show more details in lists such as the most/least available disk space and shortest/longest system uptime; and a setting to show if sensors trigger repeat alarms.
Finally, sure to be appreciated is the ability to see network maps in landscape mode, which will give a viewer more real estate to see a schematic.
iPRTG can be downloaded for US$11.99 from the Apple App Store and can be used on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPads running iOS 4.0 and up.