Paessler AG Unveils PRTG 12.2, Continuous Release Model

Paessler AG, a provider of network monitoring solutions, has announced that version 12.2 of its PRTG software is available.

“Our team has worked hard on this trendsetting transition to the continuous rollout model, embodied in PRTG Network Monitor version 12.2, Dirk Paessler, CEO of the company, said. "Given that our customers work in complex IT environments that are constantly changing, we want them to benefit from new software features, enhancements and improvements immediately after our team develops and tests them, instead of having to wait an extended period of time for a major new version with several upgraded features."

Version 12.2 is an upgrade from version 9.2, skipping version 10 and 11. The new versioning reflects both the year and the quarter. Thus, 12.2 represents the second quarter of 2012. PRTG releases also carry a four digit build number to identify them. Paessler said that version numbers would eventually become redundant under this new release model.

Paessler has also rolled out a continuous release model. Organizations with a service contract with the company will receive upgrades automatically. They can also choose from three levels of stability: the stable version, the preview version which features successfully tested new features, and the bleeding-edge “canary” version.

“We're implementing this continuous rollout model and have introduced the latest software version's enhancements as we've always done, by integrating customer feedback, experiences and suggestions into each of our development processes," Paessler said. "Working in two- to- three-week spurts, our team will continually deliver improvements.”

One of PRTG's major new features is a “Configuration Guru,” which guides administrators through the initial setup, asking questions about the network configuration and setting up the sensors to be used. PRTG can monitor the health status of VMware hosts, Sharepoint processes, IIS Web servers, VPN connections, and traffic on Cisco ASAs. The package can also track Google (News - Alert) Analytics values and pings on a SIP server.

The new version PRTG also debuts a new interactive geomapping feature. This feature is intended for those operating a global network, and can display devices on a map anywhere in the world. It can use data from Open Street Map, Nokia (News - Alert) Maps, Cloudmade and Mapquest.