Badkey Corner | Astaro 7.500 Beta Challenge, adds over 50 new features and conveniences

Friday 5th, June 2009

Astaro 7.500 Beta Challenge, adds over 50 new features and conveniences06/05/2009 09:22 PM

Image:Badkey Corner - Astaro 7.500 Beta Challenge, adds over 50 new features and conveniences

The Astaro Team has work hard and long to bring you a new high quality release with lots new features and improvements in all areas.

We are proud to tell that we have implemented the by far most wanted feature of http://feature.astaro.com as well as other top requested changes like:
* Improved Intrusion Protection Performance
* Added Real-Time Bandwidth Monitor
* Added Import/Export entries into List Widget
* Added Clone Objects (Definitions, Services, Certain Profiles/Actions)
* Added Detailed Network Security Reporting
* Added Reputation Filter to Web Security
* Improved DHCP features
* Add PIM-SM Multicast Routing

On top of that you will find 30 additional smaller usability and feature improvements.

More Information about the new features and how to download this version can be found on our Up2Date Blog:
http://up2date.astaro.com/2009/05/asg_beta_7500_launched.html

What's new in BETA ASG V7.500?
7.500 adds over 50 new features and conveniences, most of which are directly a result of submitted features by our partners and customer base. While we'll have detailed documentation and release notes ready for the final release, here is an overview of the things of note, and a few bullet points for information so you know where to go and what to see/try. This is not an exhaustive list, but most new things will be at least mentioned. Some things listed as "minor" may indeed not be considered minor for various admins/users/partners, depending on your needs.

Major New Things
Intrusion Protection Performance
*Uses new version of the IPS engine
*Scales massively when used with Multi-Core CPU/Appliances

Real-Time Bandwidth Monitor
*New Interface utilization bars on Dashboard (setup scale via editing the Interface and filling in new parameters for Upload/Download)
*Click for detailed overview as to "whats happening in my network right now"

Import/Export Widget
*Gives the ability to work with manual lists for many features/fields
*Useful to import a large blacklist (for example) into the URL Blacklist
*Can been seen in many user-input boxes in Web, Mail and more. (Green Up/Down Arrows)

Transparent Authentication Support for Web Security
*Allows users to authenticate against a Portal-Style page
*Allows for username based tracking, reporting, and surfing without changing browser settings
*Currently logo can be customized. Text,HTML, and further customizations planned for a later time.
*Configurable Timeout via HTTP-->Advanced. (Default 900s)

Clone Objects
*Easily duplicate existing objects for quick re-use.
*Supported in most places for many objects (Definitions, Services, Certain Profiles/Actions)

Extended Network Security Reporting
*Added Detailed Packet Filter/Firewall Reports
*Added Detailed IM/P2P Reports

Reputation Support for Web Security
*Allows use of the trustedsource.org reputation for Web Filtering
*Documentation coming, for now visit their site/FAQ for more info on reputations

DHCP Improvements
*Automatically map a current lease to a static assignment
*Limit DHCP leases to those with static assignments only
*Configurable DHCP lease time
*Servers retain configuration when enabled/disabled

Multicast Routing Daemon:
*PIM-SM Routing support
*More documentation on this implementation to come. Experiment with it and if it solves your needs.

Other New Things
*Windows SSL VPN Upgraded - New Client which supports X64 and many other options (download again via the UserPortal)
*Improved HTTP Caching - Increases hit/usage rates and makes the cache more effective.
*Quarantine/UserPortal Usability - Adds navigation to the bottom (supplementing the existing controls at the top), large amounts (250-1000) of displayed items per page, and sorting by subject line.
*Default Definition for "Internet" - Allows to specify "Internet" as an object which will exclude internal network(s) to aid policy creation (0.0.0.0/0 on Gateway interface)
*Customizable Shortcuts - Change the default Ctrl assignments to fit your preference
*Improved Definition/Services Sidebar - Mouseover now instantly shows full name and extended info to aid identifying desired object for drag 'n drop.
*User List shows static IP's - if assigned/configured (no need to edit in order to view)
*Live Log Negation - use to filter live logs to not show lines that match "-" entries i.e. -test to remove lines containing "test"
*Console/SSH Logins Trigger a notification - provides admin the needed insight when accessed.
*Instant Email Backup - Button for every created backup file which allows it to be sent immediately via email to configured addresses
*Custom text for notifications - Allows easier identification of which installation is sending the message. Especially useful if managing multiple sites using notifiers.
*Test NTP Sync - Button to immediately poll the configured NTP server
*Automatic Backup before Up2Date install
*Configurable Default for Lists - Allows for the amount of items per page (Packet Filter Rules, or anywhere there is a number amounts drop down) to have a larger default view
*Cluster/HA Serial Number View - Information on connected units made easier
*Schedule Firmware Installation - When an Up2Date for Firmware is available, you can schedule it to auto-install at a certain time (not a recurring setting)
*WebAdmin Network Section Split - Now two sections; "Network" and "Network Services" for usability.
*Search Boxes Retain Data - No need to re-enter query when returning from a drill down/result click.
*System Restart Reason - Allows logging of "why was system restarted" in the notification
*Group Tool tips for Members - Easily discern Network/Service Group members without having to edit in order to view
*Reporting Exclusions - Used to remove unwanted entries from various reports (such as Google-analytics from Web Security tables
*Log Flag for NAT Rules - Similar to packet filter, tells you which NAT rule was matched as part of traffic handling
Masquerading for Additional IP Addresses - Allows the use of Masquerading (vs. just SNAT) for additional IP's bound to an interface
*Support for Multiple Authentication Servers - The authentication server section has been redesigned to support fallback/failover in an easier format, with many usability improvements
*SNMP MIB - Downloadable via the SNMP section of WebAdmin
Up2date Status Reworked - Clarifies the current status of a Firmware Up2date to avoid confusion regarding the availability, download progress etc...of an issued Up2date.
*Inline/Snap Report Links - Directly moves the Admin to the relevant details report when browsing the embedded daily reports located throughout WebAdmin
*Global POP3 Sender Blacklist - Quarantined as "other" in the QM/EUP
*Dashboard RSS Feed - Provides visibility to select Astaro-issued items via WebAdmin
*Other magic features, enhancements, and usability improvements

The minimum hardware requirements for Astaro Security Gateway Software installations are:
Version 7.400+
CPU: 1.5Ghz Intel Pentium 4+ CPU
RAM: 1024 MB Ram
Harddisk: 20 GB HDD
CDROM: IDE or SCSI (see HCL for supported SCSI controller)
NIC: at least 2 PCI NICs (see HCL for support chipsets)

More @astaro.com

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