Administrators are given two ways to interact with the WhatsUp Gold software — a Windows-based console, or a browser-based one. When a product offers a browser-based interface option, it's not unusual for it to be an adjunct to or poor facsimile of the primary interface. Fortunately, that's not at all the case with WhatsUp Gold.
Thanks to the copious use of AJAX and JavaScript underpinnings, WhatsUp Gold's browser-based console has substantially the same look, feel, and capabilities of the traditional Windows interface. This includes not only the ability to view data but make configuration changes as well. We expect most administrators will prefer to work within WhatsUp Gold's browser interface predominantly, if not exclusively, because doing so enables access to features not available through the traditional console.
One example of this is Whats Up Gold's extensive logging and reporting capabilities, which are specific to the browser interface. There are over 50 built-in reports covering the network as a whole or that focus on specific devices or groups of devices.
Another especially useful aspect of the WhatsUp Gold's browser interface is the concept of a workspace, which will be invaluable for organizations that have multiple IT personnel with different areas of responsibility. After setting up unique user accounts for browser-based access, you can then create customized workspaces that focus only on the areas of the network the individual is tasked with keeping up and running.
System Requirements and Pricing
WhatsUp Gold will run on Windows Server 2003, 2000 Server or Professional (with SP 4), or XP Professional (with SP2). Windows Scripting Host 5.6 or later is also required to use many product features, including the Web-based interface and active monitors. WhatsUp Gold provides browser support for both IE 6 and Firefox 1.5x (and later versions).
The $1,995 purchase price for WhatsUp Gold Standard Edition includes a year of software updates along with unlimited phone support (albeit, not toll-free and only during EST business hours) and e-mail support. Although the Standard Edition of WhatsUp Gold doesn't allow for monitoring of enterprise applications, an extra $600 steps you up to the $2,595 Premium Edition, which does include templates for both Microsoft SQL and Exchange servers, as well as WMI applications. Organizations that expect to bump their heads against Whats Up Gold's 100 device ceiling can opt for packages that support a larger number of devices (for example, a 300-device version of the Standard Edition can be had for $2,495, and even larger ones are available).
With a starting price tag flirting with two grand, WhatsUp Gold certainly isn't for every business, but there's no question that those willing to pony up the cost will get an enormously powerful and flexible network management utility in return.
