Paessler PRTG Network Monitor 12.3 review

Filters and alerts

Selecting the sensor tab at the top of the console provides options for filtering data. Views include the top ten sensors for uptime, downtime, CPU usage, fastest web site responses and available disk space and you can apply these to any of your groups.

PRTG uses sensor state and threshold triggers to send out notifications and alerts using a variety of methods such as email, SNMP trap, SMS or Syslog. You can set values for sensors at any level of the group hierarchy and options include state or speed changes, threshold breaches, traffic volume levels or even a specific Google Analytics channel.

The Enterprise Console can be used to monitor and manage individual local and remote probes

Dependencies stop alert floods occurring if a critical device such as switch fails. PRTG is also smart enough to work many of these out for itself so if, for example, a server no longer responds to Pings, all of its other sensors will be automatically paused.

Conclusion

PRTG successfully combines quality network monitoring with ease of use. The main interface doesn't go in for fussy graphs and speedometer style dials making the data presented very easy to interpret. Its licensing scheme also makes it very affordable and more flexible than modular products that license per device.

Verdict

The PRTG Network Monitor beefs up the features and scores well for ease of use. It's simple to deploy and capable of providing a wealth of information. The per-sensor licensing also makes it much easier to keep costs under control but sensors can be used up very quickly if you don’t keep a close eye on them.

Minimum requirements: Memory: 1GB Hard disk: Approx. 200KB per sensor per day OS: Windows XP upwards Options: 2,500 sensors, £2,563; unlimited sensors, £5,859 (all ex VAT)