Easy Service Monitor 2.13

INTRODUCTION

This application provides a simple, accurate way to monitor various services located on multiple networks or just your own computer. It provides a wide range of services, and many events you can choose from and customize, as well as graphs and logging to analyze performance and much more.

INSTALLATION & SETUP

The software comes bundled with the standard installation procedure. Once installed, the application is ready to use, obviously you'll want to setup the services to monitor, which I'll cover in the functionality section.

INTERFACE & EASE OF USE

Easy Monitor accompanies the user with an easy-to-use interface that provides all the services current status in the main window. All options are laid out in tabs and large buttons. Adding services and configuring in the software is very easy, and the provided help should get you over any problems you may experience. The application sits in your task bar, and can be opened by simply clicking on it.

FUNCTIONALITY

Easy Service Monitor monitors network devices, services, and performance. It provides an extended list of services to choose from along with various notification methods. It can monitor the following: (excerpt from http://www.javvin.com/easy.html)

Web services: HTTP and HTTPs
FTP sites monitoring
Database Servers: Oracle, SQL, MySQL
Email servers: POP3, SMTP, and IMAP4
Telnet Server
Other TCP Services such as NNTP
UDP Services such as Domain Name Service
Windows 2000/NT services
Monitoring of any network device with an IP address using PING (ICMP) or TCP Ports
Monitoring Servers, Workstations, PC and other devices Status: Free Disk Space, Memory Usage, CPU Usage and Performance Monitor metric
Allow you to customize the software for additional services monitoring

Alerts based on events defined by the user can be placed to notify the user when a problem may occur:

Sound: the system will play background sound at the workstation where the system is installed
Icon flash: the Easy Service Monitor ICON at the installed system will flash
Email: an email for each problem will be sent to the designate email address
Phone: the system will call the designated phone number once problem identified
Beeper: the system will send beeper message through SNPP
Launch Application: will launch an app of your choice

The application can also work through a proxy, and has a great logfile viewing feature that lets you watch the performance of the service in a graph. Aside from all the remote service checking abilities, the application also allows you to monitor your own hard disk space, cpu usage, and memory usage. It offers in-depth service checking on most services, in other words it will actually check if the service is working instead of just sending a simple ping. One fantastic feature is the ability to phone a # when a alarm is reached, a great way to get notified immediately if you carrying a cell phone.

The software runs on Windows XP/2000/98/NT, and includes a demo mode to test it out. The retail version is set at $79.00 a moderate price for the type of application.

CONCLUSION

Easy Service Monitor is definitely a cost-effective alternative to the high-end expensive applications. It provides a simple, easy to use interface, and proves reliable when you need to be notified of your services downtime. Although the program doesn't contain all the minor features included in the major monitoring packages, it certainly gets the job done and comes at a great price.

PROS:
a. Has great interface.
b. Easy to use.
CONS:
a. Missing some features that more expensive applications have.