PageSentry is easily configured. In fact, if your Mac is already configured for Internet access there's very little left to do before getting started. PageSentry is configured via the Preferences option under the Setup menu and consists of two sections, Logging and TCP/IP.

Logging

PageSentry logs the activities of your Sentries and Pulses using either a Simple or a Verbose description. Figure 2 shows the Logging Preferences dialog box.

You may select from the following choices for Sentry logging: None, Simple, Verbose, and Log Successful Tests, which is checked by default. Logging Successful Tests will greatly increase the size of your log files, so you may want to uncheck this option. The logging options for the Pulse are the same as for Sentry logging, except for the ability to cut off the logging of Successful Tests (which would make no sense, since pulses don't perform tests at all).

TCP/IP

You may adjust the time allowed for PageSentry to connect to the various Internet servers you are monitoring before possibly timing out and reporting errors. This is an important feature because a Sentry monitoring a server over a slow network connection or on a slow network needs more time to analyze the status of the server than if the connection were on a faster network. Figure 3 shows the TCP/IP Preferences dialog box.

The TCP/IP preferences are explained below along with their default settings:

Resolve Domain Names (60 Seconds)

The time allowed for PageSentry to complete a DNS lookup before reporting an error. Note that this timeout is not specific to testing Domain Name Servers, but rather effects the DNS lookup for all test types. (For example, to test the HTTP server at "www.maxum.com", a DNS lookup must be performed to find the server first.)

Initial Connection (20 Seconds)

The time allowed for a Sentry to connect to a server before reporting an error or issuing a second connection attempt.

Single Packet Response (120 Seconds)

The time allowed for PageSentry to receive the first packet in response to a Sentry's request for data before reporting an error.

Complete Transaction (120 Seconds)

The total amount of time PageSentry will allow for a complete Sentry transaction before reporting an error.

Failed Test Retry (5 Seconds)

When PageSentry detects an error, it will always re-run the test to verify that the server is not responding correctly. The "Failed Test Retry" preference allows you to set the delay between the first test and the second.

The maximum time allowed for each of these settings is measured in seconds. If a particular transaction cannot be completed within the set time frame, an appropriate error will be logged and a Sentry will notify you of the problem. You may select the "Reset Factory Defaults" button to erase your changes to these settings and restore PageSentry's defaults.