Support - Frequently Asked Questions
Current Customers
- Why the return to the name WhatsUp Gold?
- I already have WhatsUp Gold. Why should I consider moving to WhatsUp Gold?
- Why is it important to have a SQL Database instead of a flat file like in earlier versions of WhatsUp Gold?
General Questions
- Why do you have two editions of WhatsUp Gold?
- When something goes down, can WhatsUp Gold fix the problem first and tell me about later?
- Do I really need a monitoring tool? I only have two servers in my small business.
- Does WhatsUp Gold require me to do anything to my network to use it? Do I need to install agents on my network?
Application Monitoring
- What is the benefit of application monitoring?
- What's the difference between application monitoring and network monitoring?
- Why should I have something watching my Microsoft Exchange server?
WMI
- Why the return to the name WhatsUp Gold?
- Our close interaction with customers results in very direct comments and opinions. We heard from a large audience that the name change to WhatsUp Professional was a mistake given the strong brand equity and association Gold has in the marketplace. During recent survey data reviews, we determined we were wrong and our customers were right. We have switched back to the name WhatsUp Gold and we are not looking back. As a note, today’s Gold product does so much more than the older Gold product. Take a drive and get the experience.
- I already have WhatsUp Gold. Why should I consider moving to WhatsUp Gold?
- There are many reasons to do so. Here are just a couple:
- Power - WhatsUp Gold is a far more advanced (but still easy to use!) tool than the simple “ping” availability tool that earlier versions of WhatsUp Gold were.
- Scalability - WhatsUp Gold uses an industry- standard database (MSDE/SQL). The SQL database provides greater levels of scalability and security that simply were not previously possible in earlier versions of WhatsUp Gold.
- Why is it important to have a SQL Database instead of a flat file like in earlier versions of WhatsUp Gold?
- In earlier versions of WhatsUp Gold, the database was tied to the Windows Registry and was not scalable. WhatsUp Gold uses an industry-standard, scalable database (MSDE/SQL) that gives greater levels of scalability and security that simply were not previously possible. Further, because the database isn't tied to the console workstation's hardware and OS, it can be anywhere on the network and shared with a backup console.
- Why do you have two editions of WhatsUp Gold?
- Because different businesses have different needs. The preferred choice for companies that need to monitor their business-critical applications, as well as the network they run on, is WhatsUp Gold Premium Edition. For companies that need a powerful yet easy-to-use tool to monitor their network, WhatsUp Gold Standard Edition is the best choice. (compare the features)
- When something goes down, can WhatsUp Gold fix the problem first and tell me about later?
- Yes, if properly configured it can. For example, if a critical Exchange or SQL Server service stops unexpectedly, WhatsUp can be configured to fix the problem by restarting the crashed service for you automatically. WhatsUp will also notify you of the event, allowing you to keep track of application performance.
- Do I really need a monitoring tool? I only have two servers in my small business.
- A small business is even MORE reliant on their servers than larger companies, since they tend to have fewer, but more heavily loaded, servers. You have to communicate with the outside world via email, and most businesses need application servers and file servers to get their work done. If any one of these few crucial servers has a problem, it’s much better to know about it before the server goes down and stops your business from doing business.
- Does WhatsUp Gold require me to do anything to my network to use it? Do I need to install agents on my network?
- No. WhatsUp Gold works with your existing software and network to keep your business running. You don’t have to install, maintain or update any software agents in order to monitor your network. You just need to turn on the SNMP agent that ships with your servers and network gear. If you're using Windows™ servers, just start the WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) service.
- What is the benefit of application monitoring?
- Many companies rely heavily on business-critical applications like email and databases as utilities for running their business. Any interruptions in them are costly to the business and frustrating for users. Application monitoring avoids these headaches by notifying you of problems even before they happen.
- What’s the difference between application monitoring and network monitoring?
- Network monitoring works hand in hand with application monitoring to ensure uninterrupted service. Any interruptions in these resources are frustrating for your customers and costly to your business. Application monitoring allows you to see slowdowns and take action before they turn into complete outages and network monitoring assures that you can access these applications efficiently. Together, network and application monitoring keep your critical business technology working at peak performance.
- Why should I have something watching my Microsoft Exchange server?
- Every business needs to communicate with the outside world via email, and Microsoft Exchange can be challenging for small IT staffs to tune and maintain properly. If an Exchange server has a problem, it’s better to know about it even before the server goes down and stops your business from doing business.
- Why is it important to monitor WMI performance counters? (available in Premium edition)
- Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is a Microsoft technology that allows you to monitor any performance counter value, including some that are deep inside Windows. Microsoft applications such as Exchange and SQL Server have WMI built-in, however many non-Microsoft applications, such as Oracle, use WMI and can be monitored using WhatsUp Gold Premium Edition. (more information on WMI)