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Ipswitch has always recommended that WUG is installed on a server-class OS, and a welcome change in v16.2 is it finally provides support for Windows Server 2012 hosts.

Its discovery routine and monitoring features have been improved to support pure IPv6 networks and it can optionally use SQL Server 2012 for its central database. Wireless network monitoring has always been a key differentiator and device support has been enhanced to include Access Points from Cisco's small business range, Meru Networks, and Ruckus wireless.

The Standard version of WUG delivers device discovery, network mapping, monitoring, alerting and reporting for single site networks. Along with support for a massive 20,000 devices, the Premium edition being reviewed here adds a heap of extra features, including WMI application monitoring, Split Second Graphs and Instant Info readouts, as well as wireless network and device hardware monitoring.

Installation was swift and WUG runs a wizard-assisted network discovery routine. This correctly identified all the SNMP-enabled Windows servers, workstations, VMware systems, switches, routers and printers in our lab. The WUG console provides a single view so that you can easily keep an eye on all critical systems from one interface. Its dashboard design is highly suited to monitoring large networks and the unique in-context navigation allows selected systems and devices to remain visible, regardless of the selected view.

Wireless networks are all accessed using the same console, and WUG presents impressive levels of information. Its dynamic mapping shows connections between clients and APs and you can drill down and view graphs and tables on wireless signal strength, SSIDs, associated clients and even signal-to-noise ratios. BYOD users are not overlooked either, as the wireless maps use colour coded icons to show employees, guests and mobile users. You can see who is using the most wireless bandwidth and identify rogue APs through an alert of their presence.

Ipswitch offers a wide range of optional plug-ins for WUG with the Application Performance Monitoring (APM) providing increased visibility of selected critical applications. This snaps neatly into the main console and uses pre-defined application profiles so that you can pick those you want and then apply them to the relevant systems.

APM profiles are downloaded directly into the console and Ipswitch provides a good choice including ones for Oracle, Exchange, SQL Server, Lync Server and Cisco UCM as well as a new one specifically for monitoring Hyper-V hosts. You can create your own profiles and the industrious Ipswitch APM community offers custom profiles for many other apps including Citrix XenApp and Lotus Domino Notes.

You can monitor specific attributes for each app, and new features include Windows performance counters plus six interface components. Variable attributes can have thresholds applied and linked to an action policy which includes email or SMS alerts, running a PowerShell script, restarting a service and a new one that runs Unix scripts for SSH actions.

The WhatsConfigured plug-in is well worth the additional outlay as it provides valuable device configuration and change management. Along with audit and compliance reporting it can alert you if unauthorised configuration changes are detected, and new features include support for IPv6 addresses plus devices from Enterasys, Juniper, Brocade/Foundry, Avaya/Nortel and HP/3Com.

The steady and consistent development program at Ipswitch has allowed WhatsUpGold to evolve into a highly versatile network monitoring solution that's affordable for SMBs and scalable enough for enterprises. This latest Premium version delivers some new and welcome features all integrated neatly into a single console: it won't be beaten for its wireless network monitoring tools. NC

Product: WhatsUpGold v16.2 Premium
Supplier: Ipswitch Inc.
Sales: NMEurosales@whatsupgold.com
Tel: 020 3137 6863
Web site: www.whatsupgold.com
Price: Up to 100 devices - £2,258 excluding VAT