Squid is a caching proxy for the Web supporting HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and more. It reduces bandwidth and improves response times by caching and reusing frequently-requested web pages. Squid has extensive access controls and makes a great server accelerator. It runs on most available operating systems, including Windows and is licensed under the GNU GPL. Squid is used by hundreds of Internet Providers world-wide to provide their users with the best possible web access. Squid optimises the data flow between client and server to improve performance and caches frequently-used content to save bandwidth. Squid can also route content requests to servers in a wide variety of ways to build cache server hierarchies which optimise network throughput.
Thousands of web-sites around the Internet use Squid to drastically increase their content delivery. Squid can reduce your server load and improve delivery speeds to clients. Squid can also be used to deliver content from around the world – copying only the content being used, rather than inefficiently copying everything. Finally, Squid’s advanced content routing configuration allows you to build content clusters to route and load balance requests via a variety of web servers.
[The Squid systems] are currently running at a hit-rate of approximately 75%, effectively quadrupling the capacity of the Apache servers behind them. This is particularly noticeable when a large surge of traffic arrives directed to a particular page via a web link from another site, as the caching efficiency for that page will be nearly 100%. – Wikimedia Deployment Information.
Website: http://www.squid-cache.org/
Endian Firewall Community is a “turn-key” linux security distribution that turns every system into a full featured security appliance with Unified Threat Management (UTM) functionality. The software has been de signed with “usability in mind” and is very easy to install, use and manage, without losing its flexibility. The features include a stateful packet inspection firewall, application-level proxies for various protocols (HTTP, FTP, POP3, SMTP) with antivirus support, virus and spamfiltering for email traffic (POP and SMTP), content filtering of Web traffic and a “hassle free” VPN solution (based on OpenVPN). The main advantage of Endian Firewall is that it is a pure “Open Source” solution that is sponsored by Endian.
Company website: http://www.endian.com/
Community ebsite: http://www.endian.com/en/community/overview/
Ease of Administration: SME Server software uses a web-based interface to enable easy administration from any web browser on the internal network, password protected and accessible remotely via SSH or PPTP.
File and Print Sharing:The core of any network environment is easy and simple access to shared files and printers. SME Server software allows for the easy sharing of files and printers to Windows and Macintosh clients. The “Information Bay” (i-bay) feature provides easy and convenient information storage and retrieval by multiple groups via web, ftp, or file sharing.
Internet Connection:Small business customers are looking for a simple solution that works with different types of connections to the Internet. SME Server automates the process of connecting to the Internet. Just connect the server and supply your ISP account information. The server solution acts as a gateway for your entire network and requires no additional client software and minimal configuration. Users can immediately start browsing the Web, using email, and access other Internet services.
Email:With the pervasiveness of email, small businesses increasingly need to support email for all their employees. SME Server provides a secure reliable email server and allows easy creation of individual and group addresses. For greater versatility, it works with any mail client that uses the industry-standard IMAP, POP3, and SMTP protocols. Secure webmail allows users to access the server from a web browser anywhere on the Internet, to send and receive e-mail via an encrypted (128-bit SSL) link. On top of that it is equipped with ClamAV Antivirus and SpamAssassin to reduce the amount of unsolicited mail.
Firewall:Security is always a priority when a company starts using the Internet. SME Server offers a multi-layer architecture, protecting the external interface through packet-filtering and service restriction. It offers selective address or port binding, application-level access control lists, and protects the internal network from any intrusion.
Remote Access:Businesses with remote or branch sites or telecommuting employees require remote access to their email and to other resources on the local network. SME Server provides multiple tools such as webmail access to email using any browser, 128-bit PPTP (for secure client-to-server VPNs) and open secure shell (SSH) to provide encrypted access to the internal network and server resources for administrators.
Directory Services:Companies typically require a central directory of email addresses that all users can access. SME Server features a robust directory service that can be used by most email clients (including Outlook, Outlook Express, and Netscape Communicator). This feature is implemented using the industry-standard LDAP protocol.
Web Hosting:Small businesses also need a secure and reliable web presence and an intranet to communicate with employees. SME Server includes the Apache web server used by over 60% of the Internet. The content can be easily edited and updated from desktop clients (including dynamic content). It also supports the use of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connections for e-commerce.
Raid and Backup:SME Server software supports both hardware and software disk mirroring (RAID 1), USB Disk backup & tape backup for additional data protection.
Website: http://wiki.contribs.org/Main_Page
Zeroshell is a Linux distribution for servers and embedded devices aimed at providing the main network services a LAN requires. It is available in the form of Live CD or Compact Flash image and you can configure and administer it using your web browser.
Load Balancing and Failover of multiple Internet connections;UMTS/HSDPA connections by using 3G modems;RADIUS server; Captive Portal; QoS (Quality of Service) management and traffic shaping; HTTP Proxy server; Wireless Access Point mode; Lan-to-lan VPN; 802.1d bridge; Firewall Packet Filter and Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI); NAT; Multizone DNS server; Multi subnet DHCP server; PPPoE client; Dynamic DNS client; NTP (Network Time Protocol) client and server; Syslog server; Kerberos 5 authentication; LDAP, NIS and RADIUS authorization; X509 certification authority;Unix and Windows Active Directory interoperability using LDAP and Kerberos 5 cross realm authentication.
Website: http://www.zeroshell.org/