Press Contact: John O’Fallon
Phone: (630) 830-1113
Fax: (630) 830-1262
E-Mail: john@maxum.com
Maxum Development Announces PageSentry 2.5 Update
Internet Monitoring Tool Tests More Servers,
Simplifies Early Warning Notices
January 13, 1998 — Maxum Development Corporation, a leading developer of
Macintosh Web server tools, today announced PageSentry 2.5, a major
revision to the Internet server monitoring package. PageSentry is the
“virtual assistant” that periodically performs real Internet client
activity to verify that every aspect of an Internet site is functioning
perfectly. If any test ever fails, PageSentry can take a number of actions
to warn the site manager, or correct the problem itself. The new version is
currently available as a public beta test version from Maxum’s Web site,
and the product is scheduled to ship in February.
PageSentry 2.5 can now monitor more server types, automates the most
popular warning messages, and offers numerous enhancements that have been
requested by users since the release of PageSentry 2.0. “PageSentry
monitors over 100 mission-critical TCP/IP servers that our Advanced
Technology group is responsible for,” said Joe Duffy, Director of Advanced
Technology at Baxter Healthcare Corp. “When one of these servers fails, we
need to be the first to know, and PageSentry assures us of that. And the
new version allows us to monitor even more types of servers and makes pager
notification and automated server restarts a piece of cake.”
New Features of PageSentry 2.5
AppleShare Server Support – PageSentry can now test the complete
functionality of AppleShare servers, running over either TCP/IP or
traditional AppleTalk networks. To test an AppleShare server, PageSentry
mounts the file server, creates a file, reads it, verifies the contents,
and then deletes the file, all typical actions taken by real-world users.
If any portion of the test fails, the server administrator is warned or a
more direct action can be taken.
Generic TCP/IP Server Support – PageSentry supports a new “Stream” test,
that can be used to verify the functioning of many TCP/IP based servers.
NNTP (Internet News) servers, for example, can be tested using the “Stream”
Sentry type. In addition, “Ping” tests have been added, which can be used
to test the functioning of any Internet-capable device. Ping tests aren’t
as thorough as the complete client tests provided by PageSentry, but are
perfect for testing network connections and low-level devices like routers
and gateways.
Built-In PageNow and PowerKey Support – PageSentry can now communicate
directly with PageNow (the alphanumeric paging software from Mark/Space
Communications) and the PowerKey family of intelligent power strips from
Sophisticated Circuits. Paging and automated restarts using these products
are among the most popular actions taken by PageSenty users, and can now be
done without intermediate scripts. PageNow and PowerKey Pro bundles with
PageSentry continue to be offered directly from Maxum.
Flexible E-Mail and Paging Message – Messages sent by PageSentry via either
e-mail or alphanumeric page can now be completely customized. This allows
for a high degree of control over e-mail messages and allows pages to be
minimized for small pager displays.
New Features – For users with non-dedicated Internet connections,
PageSentry tests can now be synchronized to make the best use of temporary
Internet access. SMTP “verify” tests can now be simplified for
compatability with popular list servers or mail servers with advanced
security settings enabled. Remote users can optimize PageSentry status
updates for remote-control applications such as Netopia’s Timbuktu remote
administration package. Many other enhancements have been made to improve
server compatability and PageSentry operation.
“We think PageSentry is the best-kept secret in the Mac Internet
community,” said John O’Fallon, President of Maxum Development. “I know of
companies working with other platforms that have spent tens of thousands of
dollars developing early-warning detection systems that are inferior to
what a Mac OS developer can do with a $149 copy of PageSentry. When you add
a PowerKey Pro 600 and a copy of PageNow, you’ve got a complete monitoring
solution for an entire set of servers that simply can’t be beat.”
PageSentry 2.0 is a free upgrade for all PageSentry 2.X customers. Users
who purchased PageSentry 1.X more than one year ago can upgrade to
PageSentry Pro for $69. Complete information can be found on Maxum’s Web
site at “www.maxum.com”.
Maxum products are available through DevDepot
(http://www.devdepot.com), mailto:orders@devdepot.com, Toll free:
800-MACDEV-1, Outside US/Canada: 805-494-9797, Fax: 805-494-9798.
About Maxum
Founded in 1991, Maxum Development is a leading developer of commercial
World Wide Web server tools for business and education. Maxum products,
NetCloak and NetForms, were the first commercial tools for Macintosh-based
WWW servers and have since become industry mainstays. All Maxum products
are designed to enhance the function and performance of Web sites by making
them dynamic, interactive, reliable, secure, fast, and accessible.
Maxum, the Maxum logo, and PageSentry are trademarks of Maxum Development
Corp. Other product and corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks of other companies, and are used only for explanation and to the
owners’ benefit, without intent to infringe.