Event logs store a wealth of information to assist you in troubleshooting issues that arise within individual servers. With the proper tools, they can also help you proactively monitor your network, its resources, and its security. Aelita Software Corp.'s EventAdmin 6.0 is such a tool, letting you harness log files from all of your servers and workstations into a central location. EventAdmin works with Windows NT and 2000 servers, Active Directory, Exchange, IIS, SQL Server, and DNS, as well as NetWare servers.

The program is easy to install and quick to configure. The Reporting Console, which ties in with other Aelita products, gives you a vast number of options to choose from. The granular reports allow for detailed audits, which are clear and concise. The Aelita Journal component lets you schedule tasks, run applications, and send e-mail, SNMP, or pager notifications based on custom rules that you create.