Can you look at my databases and send data files from my server to yours without my knowledge?
We are under a binding contract to you that spells out exactly what data we view on your server. We NEVER copy data files off of your server. Our purpose is to check on your servers health, not your data.

Suppose you do find a problem with my server. What happens next?
As soon as PatrolDOG detects the problem, a TAB Technical Support staff person will contact you and advise you of your next course of action. At your option TAB will either contact another vendor to assess the problem on-site or walk you through that process. If it is determined to be a critical problem, TAB will either dispatch a technician, notify your own vendor orwork with your internal support staff.

How often are you checking on things and what are you looking for?
Server Event Logs are checked on an hourly basis from 6 am to 6 pm. Backup logs are checked once daily and the file servers overall health is also checked twice daily.

Can PatrolDog monitor Workstations on my network as well?
Yes, as long as the minimum requirements for Patroldog also exist on the workstation. Basically, you need WIndows NT Workstation or Above, an "always on" internet connection and the ability to run an ftp session from the workstation. The person that installs PatrolDog also needs administrative rights to the workstaiton.

How do I know that you are checking this on an hourly basis?
You can access your own databases within PatrolDog at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In those databases you can view consolidated reports of all your activity by server.

What types of reporting can I get?
As part of the Patroldog service, reports are mailed to you on a Quarterly basis that outline ALL of your activity for the quarter. This includes a management summary report as well as any level of detail that you desire.

What is this "Overall Server Health Index" you keep talking about?
OSHI is an internally developed Rating system that allows us to Pinpoint Problem File Servers PRIOR to there actually being a problem. The lower the score, the more likely that the file server is heading for a problem.

If you monitor me for a few months and don't find any problems, can I cancel the service?
You can cancel the service at any time after the initial 30 day trial period. However, the installation fee will not be refundable.

I get update notifications all the time for my Windows Operating System. Does PatrolDog take care of updating the server and applying patches to my system?
We use test servers to apply patches as they arrive from Microsoft. When we have determined that the patch is safe to install on our servers, we will notify you to install it. If TAB Technical Support has VPN capability to your server, we will apply all patches as we verify them. However, this involves an additional monthly fee and we only perform this service for clients that are within our direct service area. This service is only available for Windows 2000 Servers.

Can Patroldog verify that my staff is properly rotating my tape backups to be sure that we are not re-using the same tape(s) all the time?
NO - Patroldog can and will detect that data was properly written to backup media. However, it cannot validate that the user is ot inserting the same media every day. The user has to take that responsibility

If I sign up for your service and my file server crashes, will you get my data back?
The only sure way to get your data back is to have a good backup. While Patroldog can and does verify that you have a backup, it cannot verify that it is either complete or is safe for a full recovery should the need arise.

Is Patroldog an Offsite Backup program as well as a monitoring service?
No, Patroldog watches out for thousands of things that can go wrong with your system, but it does not take snapshots or backups of ANY of your data. We leave that to other services at this time.

If I have multiple file servers in multiple locations, can Patroldog monitor them for me and report back to a central location?
Yes, we can group your systems in any manner that makes sense to you and the TAB technical support team. Please discuss your configuration requirements with a Sales Representative.

I have a "mission critical" file server that cannot go offiline. Can Patroldog page me if a catastrpohic problem occurs (power outage, drive failure, etc.)?
YES, We can set up parameters by file server within an organization to page or E-mail you for any types of errors or problems? Identify how you want it to work and who gets notified - we'll take it from there!

Our file server has run out of disk space on numerous occasions, causing it to fail. Does PatrolDog look for this type of scenario?
Oh yes! Patroldog not only monitors overall disk space utilization, it looks for trends as well. For instance, if your "D:" data drive consumes more than 10% of its available space in a given timeframe, PatrolDog will alert you. If at any time, your total available disk space falls below a given level, again PatrolDog warns you.

We run a proprietary Accounting System. When it fails, can you tell us what went wrong and who did it?
If your application is writing errors to the Windows Operating System event logs (ask your vendor), then yes we can tell you when things are happening within that application (certain parameters must be met for us to do this). We can set them up in PatrolDog if you would like and whenever they occur we can notify you via Pager or E-Mail..

We have 15 file servers in our site, but only 3 of them are considered critical. Will you monitor just a few or do you require the entire "Enterprise" to participate?
We will monitor 1 server or all 15 - it is always the customers choice. However, we have a very competetive sliding scale arrangement regarding "multiple server" Enterprise environments. Ask your TAB Sales Rep. for more details.

Can I purchase PatrolDog for my Enterprise and install it internally to monitor my 300+ W2K file Servers?
We hope to have an "Enterprise Version" ready for distribution by May, 2004. Check back for availability and possible Beta Site opportunities.

Does PatrolDog interfere or compromise my Internet Firewall?
NO, Patroldog uses an industry standard FTP protocol that can be synchronous, asynchronous or Passive in nature. In addition, non-standard ports can be employed as well. Since PatrolDog is essentially a "one-way" communication standard that originates from inside your firewall, you are assured of complete safety.

Do I have to use TAB as my support company in order to use PatrolDog?
NO. While we think that everyone in Southern New England should use TAB, that's not the case! In fact, we are using PatrolDog to notify our competitors when they need to address issues on their clients machines! Call a TAB sales rep. for more details!

I am running a home network utilizing a Windows 2000 server. Can I sign up for Patrol Dog?
If the server in your home is a "mission critical" server, then by all means YES. However, it must meet the minimum guidelines for connecting to our systems (see specifications for details).

I only have 1 file server that I use for Accounting. My secretary backs it up on a daily basis and we don't have any problems. Why do I need this product? We're not having any problems..
Please read "Some reasons why you need Patroldog". If you answer "NO" to any one of the reasons, we're sure that you'll be calling a TAB Sales Rep. to sign you up for the program.. If not, Clint Eastwood said it best.... "Do you feel lucky?"...

Does PDLOG run as an NT Service?
No, PDLOG is a scheduled job that runs at various times throughout the day. There is absoutely NO dependence or "hooks" into the Windows Operating System.