Improved Installation
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One
of the first things I noticed was the improved installation procedure.
Installation, which wasn't that complex with PRTG V8, has been further
simplified, allowing administrators to spend more time on the more important
aspects of the product, as opposed to spending the day with installation
issues. The installation questions have been reduced, as have the number of
installation screens, and the language in the installation questions is now much
clearer. As with V8, V9 includes its own Web server application and data
storage capabilities, eliminating the need to set up those elements on other
systems.
Other
noticeable changes include an updated interface, which, thanks to a redesigned
GUI, sports a cleaner, easier to understand look. However, users of previous
versions will still feel right at home, as much of the terminology remains the
same, making the transition from PRTG V8 to V9 that much easier, while ensuring
that the product remains easy to use for the newly minted network
administrator.
One
of the most notable enhancements is the product's new Enterprise Console, which
does a good job of rolling up multiple servers, network segments and so on into
a manageable single pane of glass view of the overall network. The console provides
the ability to drill down into a particular device with just a few mouse clicks
or quickly perform operations that can be inclusive across multiple servers.
The
Enterprise Console should prove to be a useful tool for those offering
infrastructure hoteling, as well as those looking to offer MSP-like services,
where multiple entities need to be kept separate, but monitored as a whole.
That
leads us to another major enhancement of the product-the ability to monitor
more devices than ever and more things about those devices. For example, PRTG
now includes a much larger subset of WMI sensors, including WMI Physical Disk,
WMI Security Center and a WMI-based Windows Scheduled Task reporting element.
Also worth noting is the inclusion of additional sensors for Linux and Unix
servers, as well as the ability to monitor services such as DHCP, DNS, Websites
and so on.
The
enhanced sensors go hand in hand with improved monitoring
capabilities-administrators can now monitor IPv6 elements, such as HTTP, SNMP,
ICMP and WMI. In addition, the product now supports the ability to run a packet
sniffer on IPv6 traffic, which will surely be a handy tool for those
troubleshooting the transition to IPv6 in their data centers.
PRTG
also offers the ability to create custom sensors that allow administrators to
include devices that are not natively supported. However, most devices on the
market are well-covered, and having to create a custom sensor may be a rarity
for typical network monitoring chores.
Speaking
of customization, V9 now includes the ability to create customized device tree
libraries. In other words, administrators can now design a treelike structure
that groups monitored elements together in a fashion that best suits the needs
of the administrator. That library approach lends itself well to task division,
as well as defining monitored groups, which in turn becomes a valuable
capability for those pursuing roles-based administration.
Roles-based
administration is further enhanced with integration to Active Directory, where
a single sign-on approach can be used to define what an administrator can and
can't do with PRTG. That's a good idea for those MSPs looking to grant
administrative controls to particular customers while isolating their virtual
infrastructure management from other customers.
Frank J. Ohlhorst is the Executive Technology Editor for eWeek Channel Insider and brings with him over 20 years of experience in the Information Technology field.He began his career as a network administrator and applications program in the private sector for two years before joining a computer consulting firm as a programmer analyst. In 1988 Frank founded a computer consulting company, which specialized in network design, implementation, and support, along with custom accounting applications developed in a variety of programming languages.In 1991, Frank took a position with the United States Department of Energy as a Network Manager for multiple DOE Area Offices with locations at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPL), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), FermiLAB and the Ames Area Office (AMESAO). FrankÃÃÃs duties included managing the site networks, associated staff and the inter-network links between the area offices. He also served at the Computer Security Officer (CSO) for multiple DOE sites. Frank joined CMP TechnologyÃÃÃs Channel group in 1999 as a Technical Editor assigned to the CRN Test Center, within a year, Frank became the Senior Technical Editor, and was responsible for designing product testing methodologies, assigning product reviews, roundups and bakeoffs to the CRN Test Center staff.In 2003, Frank was named Technology Editor of CRN. In that capacity, he ensured that CRN maintained a clearer focus on technology and increased the integration of the Test CenterÃÃÃs review content into both CRNÃÃÃs print and web properties. He also contributed to NetseminarÃÃÃs, hosted sessions at CMPÃÃÃs Xchange Channel trade shows and helped to develop new methods of content delivery, Such as CRN-TV.In September of 2004, Frank became the Director of the CRN Test Center and was charged with increasing the Test CenterÃÃÃs contributions to CMPÃÃÃs Channel Web online presence and CMPÃÃÃs latest monthly publication, Digital Connect, a magazine geared towards the home integrator. He also continued to contribute to CMPÃÃÃs Netseminar series, Xchange events, industry conferences and CRN-TV.In January of 2007, CMP Launched CRNtech, a monthly publication focused on technology for the channel, with a mailed audience of 70,000 qualified readers. Frank was instrumental in the development and design of CRNTech and was the editorial director of the publication as well as its primary contributor. He also maintained the edit calendar, and hosted quarterly CRNTech Live events.In June 2007, Frank was named Senior Technology Analyst and became responsible for the technical focus and edit calendars of all the Channel GroupÃÃÃs publications, including CRN, CRNTech, and VARBusiness, along with the Channel GroupÃÃÃs specialized publications Solutions Inc., Government VAR, TechBuilder and various custom publications. Frank joined Ziff Davis Enterprise in September of 2007 and focuses on creating editorial content geared towards the purveyors of Information Technology products and services. Frank writes comparative reviews, channel analysis pieces and participates in many of Ziff Davis EnterpriseÃÃÃs tradeshows and webinars. He has received several awards for his writing and editing, including back to back best review of the year awards, and a presidentÃÃÃs award for CRN-TV. Frank speaks at many industry conferences, is a contributor to several IT Books, holds several records for online hits and has several industry certifications, including NovellÃÃÃs CNE, MicrosoftÃÃÃs MCP.Frank can be reached at frank.ohlhorst@ziffdavisenterprise.com
