IP Dashboard v1.2 for Pocket PC 2002 and Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC
Hudson Mobile(http://www.hudsonmobile.com)
For AXIMUSERS.COM
By RommelS
If you want to monitor the state of your wireless or Ethernet connection on your Pocket PC, Hudson Mobile’s IP Dashboard is the plug-in that you need. It gives you the capability to view data rate, track down network traffic, and control your IP Configuration.
Installation:
The application uses ActiveSync to install on device, and the application may be installed in the device’s memory or external memory.
In this review, I’ve also installed the application on external memory, and it ran as if it was on the device’s memory.
Features:
Although that this application is a small plug-in that resides on your Today Screen; it sure packs a wallop when it comes to features.
Information Display
The dashboard information display can be adjust to view the information on a rotational setting (Compact view) or in Full view. In Full view, you may configure it to show only the information that matters to you.
Data Rate Monitor
For the first time, you may now view outbound and inbound traffic thanks to its Network Activity icon, or you may opt to view it graphically by tapping on the icon.
DHCP Controller
Releasing and renewing IP address and PINGing other connected device is a large part of this plug-in. What would a network application be if it didn’t have any type of DHCP utilities?
Configurable Meter and Historical Data Usage
The Configurable Meter feature tracks the transmitted and received data on your device. Although it is not really designed for GPRS, you may use to monitor your data download, especially if your data subscription is metered. It will alert you when it reached the amount of data that you specify to monitor, and with the addition of the Historical Data Usage in version 1.2, you can now track your data transfer on a day-to-day basis. It seems that both features work perfectly together when you’re really tracking data from GPRS - you don’t have to worry about going over your monthly MB limit.
The Historical Data also gives you to the option to save the information on a spreadsheet. Kudos to Hudson Mobile for coming out with this feature.
Network Profile
You have multiple network cards - No problem. The Network Profile utility allows you to save different settings of different cards.
Other Features
Of course, IP Dashboard came with a few welcome cosmetic changes. IP Dashboard can now work hand in had with IC Bar, and it now has the ability to change the display information fonts to a ClearType to match any compatible themes that use ClearType.
Probably the biggest visible change is the support for Pocket PC Phone Edition – it can now display the voice network status, mobile operator name, connection time, and detailed signal strength readout. For someone that has a phone edition like me, it was an added bonus.
Hudson Mobile threw in a "Save" feature, so that you may back up the applications entire configuration - in case of a hard reset or battery running of power.
Wish List:
What I hope to see in the future version of IP Dashboard is better support for GPRS tracking. Though you can use it to monitor GPRS connection, this application is best suited for Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity. If Hudson Mobile can come with a single GPRS monitor tracker and alert system, it would be a killer application for the Pocket PC. Watch out Spb GPRS Monitor.
I can also imagine that this application, as it matures, it could become a full-blown network trouble-shooting tool.
Conclusion:
One of the big pluses on Hudson Mobile IP Dashboard is its interface on the Today screen – it is simple to use yet powerful. IP Dashboard made switching from one connection to another easy. In the process of creating this great application, it became as invaluable trouble-shooting tool. This is a MUST have for Wi-Fi users and network administrator. I give this software thumbs up, and I highly recommend it.
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