The AtMail 6.0 messaging platform

Email, calendaring and groupware don’t necessarily have to go through Microsoft Outlook to be enjoyable.

One such alternative which deserves to be seriously considered is built onLinux using AJAX and is aptly named AtMail 6.0 and you can download a free version of their client, with or without the server, which can handle up to five (5) users, for free.

This client and server ensemble provides an enterprise-class solution which helps everybody in the team actually feel part of it.

Along with full source code for easy customization (in AJAX, which makes it humanly comprehensible), version 6.0 adds…

• a single interface for all email needs (with tabs for direct access to the features);
• a conversation view of email messages (so you see the list of the latest emails while reading one, in particular… like Hotmail’s interface, if you prefer);
• new thread support (which helps you keep your sanity when you play “message-tennis” with many people); and
• direct reply capabilities (akin to some forums where you can “quick reply” to any thread).

Because the platform is built on AJAX, development is zippy and heavy on all advanced features you expect from an enterprise-class email solution.

AtMail 6.0 also offers integrated web-based email management for remote install, upgrade and maintenance.

This product is solid and clearly on the right path but, it isn’t “there”, yet.

This being said, the fact that it’s built on AJAX should appeal to the web 2.0 crowd and those who undertstand that the open source community tends to move faster than the closed source folks who can hardly compete with thousands of passionate developers who just ooze with creative ideas to futher AJAX’s feature set.

The free version is obviously as affordable at it gets but the paid version of AtMail 6.0 are probably a bit steep for smaller companies with a 25 seat client going at 400$ and if you add the server, it jumps up another 100$. Cutting that price in half would’ve surely helped the product gain wider adoption with smaller customers. For 1k users, it’s just 1,250$ which, for that kind of volume, is surprisingly affordable.

So if you’re courageous enough to look past MS-Outlook and Gmail types of solutions, AtMail 6.0 may well be worth your while.

Tags: atmail, atmail 6.0, 6.0, email client, email server, e-mail, full source code, linux-based, built on ajax, ajax, ajax email server, email needs, conversation view, remote install, remote upgrade, remote maintenance

Eaton’s intelligent power management

Power management for our computer devices and appliances has come a long way.

Now, using setups such as Eaton’s Intelligent Power Manager, an administrator can oversee and entire network, without having to walk to a specific device to -really- understand what’s going on. Well, in extreme situations, that might still be necessary but under normal circumstances, it’s all mouse clicks and smiles.

For those who aren’t yet familiar with Eaton’s technology, the Intelligent Power Manager software is designed to be a cost-effective and secure way for IT administrators to remotely monitor and manage networked power and environmental devices, across the enterprise.

And even if you run a smaller operation, being able to flip the switch remotely on any device is pure bliss.

The software can carry out a scan for UPS systems (all vendors are supported) using both XML web services and SNMP protocols.

The Intelligent Power Manager also discovers and manages other critical power components, suc as ePDU products, shutdown modules and the now ubiquitous environmental sensors.

The idea of having total remote control on all powered devices is just too much of a thrill to ignore, especially if your job involves darting through the corridors to see what’s going on every time somedy calls-in saying “hey, the server’s not responding”!

Eaton isn’t the only player in town offering these kinds of solutions but you might want to check out their Intelligent Power Manager to see if it can fit your particular needs.

Tags: eaton, eaton corporation, intelligent power manager, ipm, environmental sensors, shutdown modules, epdu, xml web services, snmp protocol, power up, power down, power on, power off, computer devices, network appliances, remote management

FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer 4.0 feature a smoother workflow

Network managers need to react quickly when something goes wrong and one way to achieve that is to tool up with FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer 4.0, which have your single or thousands of Fortinet appliances under your control.

In the new version of both FortiManager 4.0 and FortiAnalyzer 4.0 unified threat management security platforms, the new firmware enhances the management capabilities, thus providing greater flexibility and control for multiple devices, in enterprise setups.

This major update includes improvements in the performance and scalability of FortiManager which allows administrators to both deploy and manage tens, hundreds or even thousands of FortiGate (or FortiWifi, usually for remote offices) devices within the network and from a single FortiManager platform.

But the real kicker here is the enhanced workflow in FortiManager which allows administrators to reduce the amount of work required to manage a large number of devices.

You can also factor in improved disaster recovery features and slightly improved correlation between vulnerabilities and security policy in FortiAnalyzer which, from this point on, includes a vulnerability management component.

The end-to-end network monitoring is rather elegantly presented and easy to work with. Network admins who are used to overseeing large groups of user will appreciate this added control.

Keep in mind that FortiManager delivers a lower TCO for Fortinet implementations by minimizing both initial deployment costs and ongoing operating expenses.

In bigger enterprise environments, network managers can control administrative access and simplify policy deployment using role-based administration to define user privileges for specific management domains and functions by aggregating collections of Fortinet appliances and agents into independent management domains.

By locally hosting security content updates for managed devices and agents, FortiManager appliances minimize web filtering rating request response time and maximize network protection.

Yes, managing Fortinet devices is now smoother than ever — it’s still a lot of work but it definitely gets done faster.

Tags: fortinet, fortigate, fortiwifi, fortimanager, fortianalyzer, 4.0, network devices, network appliances, network security, network administrators, network management, security platform, disaster recovery, security policy

Fortinet’s wireless LAN protection products lineup

Protecting your network is no small task.

Nowadays, the rage is all about unified threat management security platforms and the new Fortinet wireless LAN protection products lineup will help you do that without the wiring headache.

Large companies may have a bunch of Fortigate 1000-and-over appliances setup at their head office but for medium-sized office settings, the more affordable wireless counterparts might be enough to protect your digital realm.

Let’s start by saying that the FortiWiFi line of wireless security gateways add a built-in 802.11a/b/g wireless access point to the enterprise-level, multi-threat protection of FortiGate appliances. Again, if you’re not a wiring fan, this is “it”.

The FortiWifi appliances provide network, content and application protection for wired and wireless networks without penalties in performance or manageability. They combine Fortinet’s FortiOS security OS with FortiASIC processors and other hardware to provide a comprehensive and high-performance array of fully integrated security and networking functions including:

• Firewall, VPN and traffic shaping;
• Intrusion Prevention System (IPS);
• Antivirus, antispyware and antimalware;
• Web filtering;
• Antispam;
• Application control (e.g.: IM and P2P);
• VoIP support (H.323. and SCCP);
• Layer 2/3 routing.

FortiWiFi appliances are fairly accessible, as far as deployment and management go. With a web-based user interface that allows users to be up and running in less than an hour, sometimes under 15 minutes, it’s a highly functional line of appliances.

It’s important to add that these wireless appliances can also be managed remotely via the FortiManager line of management appliances. This combination of local ease of use and remote management makes FortiWiFi appliances valuable for…

• remote office settings;
• wireless service providers;
• retail stores; and
• broadband-connected telecommuter sites.

In addition, FortiWiFi devices can be powered by Power over Ethernet (POE) to further ease installation and deployment and reduce your equipment investment. Obviously, it’s better if you can find an electrical outlet but POE can be a lifesaver in remote spots (like when the FortiWifi is installed above the ceiling fixture).

So let’s take a look at the lineup…

• FortiWiFi-80CM
  • A wireless security gateway that adds a built-in 802.11 b/g/n wireless access point to the enterprise-level, multi-threat protection of FortiGate appliances.
  • In addition, 3G wireless broadband connectivity via an ExpressCard slot and a built-in analog modem for dial-up failover capability enhance deployment and failover options.
  • The FortiWiFi-80CM boasts market-leading performance for remote office, SMB, and retail applications.
• FortiWiFi-60B
  • It offers standard 802.11 a/b/g support plus 3G wireless broadband connectivity via a PC Card slot and a built-in analog modem for dial-up failover capability, making it the perfect choice for rapid Point of Sale (POS) deployments or flexible security offerings by wireless service providers.
  • It has dual Wide Area Network (WAN) ports for load balancing or redundant internet connections, a DMZ port, and six integrated switch ports for multi-user environments.
• FortiWiFi-50B
  • It’s more affordable and ideal for small remote offices and telecommuting applications.
  • It offers standard 802.11 b/g support, dual Wide Area Network (WAN) ports for load balancing or redundant internet connections, and three integrated switch ports for multi-user environments.
• FortiWiFi-30B
  • This one offers full-featured, enterprise-class UTM inspection for the smallest remote offices, branch offices, and retail outlets.
  • The FortiWiFi-30B adds 802.11 b/g support to Fortinet’s easy-to-use, easy-to-deploy entry-level platform.

As you can see, your entire network is now easier than ever to secure.

There are many products on the market that can help you secure a network but going with an appliance-based security model frees up precious processor time on all your computers.

If you already have Fortinet products in your mix and you like their management capabilities, you’ll probably want to expand your realm of protection, up to thousands of Fortinet devices, with their line of wireless appliances.

Tags: fortinet, fortiwifi, secure, security, wireless device, wireless appliance, 30b, 50b, 60b, 80cm, switch ports, multi-user environments, poe, remote office, 3g wireless