FAQ's

• An Agent is loaded on the server.
• It makes a number of checks on the server, ISP ports, network devices, and even websites every five or fifteen minutes (at your request).
• Once per day, the Agent runs a Daily Safety Check.
• After every check cycle, the Agent bundles up status information and sends it to the central HoundDog servers.
• These servers parse the information, send alerts to you via email or SMS, publish your DashBoard and MiniDash™ and provide associated services.

The agent can be used on any server running Microsoft Windows NT, 2000, 2003 or higher server operating system. It can also be used on any desktop running Microsoft Windows 2000 or higher operating system.

Not at this time.

The agent runs as a service under Windows. The Agent service name is ‘Advanced Monitoring Agent’ and there is also the update service ‘Advanced Monitoring AutoUpdate’ so if your client ever stumbles across them, there’s no reference to HoundDog.

The Agent accesses a wide range of systems on the server to collect information that would otherwise be discarded. By selectively accumulating this information – and discarding other meaningless data – HoundDog is able to alert you when there’s an issue that needs your attention.

Not unless the firewall is currently restricting outgoing https communications.

Approximately 7MB memory is used when running. It requires 8.2MB of disk space. Its load on the server barely registers on Task Manager.

All agent communications to the server are encrypted via SSL. Proxy servers (SOCKS5 and HTTP) are accommodated. The agent makes use of NTLM or basic authentication.

Every five or fifteen minutes the agent sends a packet of 400-600 bytes, depending on the checks you have selected.

The agent is only accessible to those with the ‘key’, the original password you were sent during sign-up.

Yes. On a technical basis we support Windows 2000 or higher. We recommend that you do use HoundDog to monitor unattended PCs such as telephone systems or time-clock systems. If unattended, faults can appear and vital services can be degraded.

Some items on desktop PCs may be worth monitoring as it may help you nip problems in the bud before they cause bigger issues. Disk space or disk growth rates are examples here. However, we recommend that you consider carefully whether you really want to monitor other aspects (like Windows Services) on desktop PCs. Here’s why:

• Desktop faults are almost always caused, as they say, between the desk and the chair.
• Users will often clear the error themselves with ctrl-alt-del.
• If you have been alerted in the interim, you’ll be chasing problems that no longer exist. Or as we say at HoundDog, you’ll be chasing your tail.

Unattended computers – servers or workstations – need to be watched. Monitoring all services on attended computers might cause spurious alerts for you – and deflect you from other more serious issues.

No. The Dashboard runs under Internet Explorer or Firefox.

No. The MiniDash runs on any mobile phone or PDA. You can login at www.HoundDogIsEasy.com/minidash using your usual DashBoard login.

Once you have agreed to deploy HoundDog, you can set it up so that you can login through your own website. The system is completely anonymous.

No. We are not in IT support. HoundDog will never contact your clients. There is no conflict of interest.

Yes. HoundDog has taken comprehensive steps to ensure total client security. Contact us for more information.

HoundDog knows that IT support is a very competitive business. Our users want the benefits HoundDog delivers at a decent cost, and we believe the path to success is to give our customers what they want.