New Products

OpenVZ Supports IPv6 and Bridged Networking

The OpenVZ project released its operating system-level server virtualization software technology with support for the next-generation Internet Protocol Version 6. According to the company, support for bridged networking is also now available, which gives OpenVZ virtual servers the ability to run software that relies on special network capabilities such as broadcasts, multicasts, or those having a MAC (media access control) address.

OpenVZ is operating system-level server virtualization software technology, built on Linux, which creates isolated, secure virtual environments on a single physical server, thus enabling greater server utilization and superior availability with fewer performance penalties. The virtual servers ensure that applications do not conflict and can be re-booted independently.

OpenVZ kernels including support for IPv6 and bridged networking are available for download from http://openvz.org/download/beta/kernel.

Novell Unveils the Bandit project

Novell announced the creation of Bandit, an open source project with a charter to unify disparate identity systems and provide a consistent approach to securing and managing identity. Novell has already contributed engineering resources and code to this effort. The goal of the Bandit project is to provide organizations with a consistent approach to enterprise identity management challenges such as secure, role-based access and regulatory compliance reporting.

Novell already incorporates some of Bandit's open identity services within its SUSE Linux distribution and plans to include Bandit's identity services in future releases of other products. Novell will continue to support the Bandit project with engineering resources and will maintain the project while the Bandit community grows.

For more information, visit: http://www.novell.com/.

Oracle Announces Validated Configurations Program

Oracle announced the Oracle Validated Configurations program, providing customers with pre-tested, validated, and supported architectures -- software, hardware, storage, and networking components -- for deploying Oracle solutions on Linux. According to the company, the program is jointly developed with strategic partners, helps speed deployment and reduce testing, and enables customers to achieve faster time to market and lowered infrastructure costs while helping to improve performance, scalability, and reliability.

Oracle Validated Configurations are available now on the Oracle Technology Network at: http://www.oracle.com/technology/tech/linux/validated-configurations.

Hammer Z-Series Network Storage Line Now Shipping

Hammer Storage, a division of Bell Microproducts, Inc., announced that its new line of network storage, the Hammer Z-Series, is now shipping. According to the company, Bell Microproducts expanded the Hammer line to fill a disparity in the market by adding Zetera Corporation's Z-SAN Storage-over-IP (SoIP) technology to create the Hammer Z-Series, which is ideal for small to medium businesses. SoIP uses Internetworking Protocol (IP) as the only storage fabric, eliminating the need for costly controllers, dedicated switches, and RAID controllers that also serve as performance bottlenecks.

The first Hammer Z-Series solutions include the Z-Box desktop and the Z-Rack 1U rackmount solutions with capacities of up to two terabytes per device. The desktop delivers a superior price/performance advantage over competing desktop 4-bay NAS products. The 1U rackmount competes with rackmount NAS and entry-level SAN solutions by providing better performance, scalability, and reliability.

Hammer's Z-Series solutions are available now, and prices for one (1) terabyte desktop and 1U rackmount solutions start at $1299 and $3999, respectively. Compatible with any IP network, the Hammer Z-Series is backed by an one-year warranty. The Hammer Z-Series will include solutions offering greater than 9TB capacity per enclosure later in 2006.

For more information on the Hammer Z-Series solutions, visit http://www.Hammer-Storage.com.

CommVault Introduces RecoveryDirector 6.1

CommVault announced new features for its QiNetix 6.1 Unified Data Management suite. According to the announcement, the new feature set, called RecoveryDirector 6.1, combines certain functionality of the QuickRecovery and Galaxy Backup and Recovery software products, thereby enabling storage administrators to simply and seamlessly manage snapshot and backup data across the continuum of protection, recovery, and archive tiers. With RecoveryDirector, enterprises with storage area networks (SANs) will be able to create online “recovery images” that extend traditional backup methods and expand data protection capabilities. RecoveryDirector extends the benefits of QuickRecovery by enabling storage administrators to simplify recovery of data from multiple recovery points, reduce or eliminate backup windows, and improve RTO/RPO service levels.

Integrating CommVault ProxyHost, Image, QuickRecovery, and QSnap components, CommVault RecoveryDirector combines backup and snapshot management into a logical workflow. With this capability, users can easily manage concurrent multiple point-in-time snapshots and backup sets, improve resource utilization , and eliminate duplicate operations. For enterprises seeking to simplify use of device-embedded snapshot capabilities, RecoveryDirector manages a variety of snapshot technologies including those offered by Data Domain, Dell, EMC, HDS, HP, NetApp, Xiotech, and others. RecoveryDirector simplifies and automates the process of creating snapshot images and online recovery volumes for immediate recovery from data loss, large database corruption, and email virus attacks.

For more information, visit http://www.commvault.com/.

Free Version of SourceForge Enterprise Edition Available

VA Software Corporation announced availability of a free, full-featured version of its collaborative software development platform, SourceForge Enterprise Edition (SFEE). According to the company, the download, which includes a perpetual, no-cost license for 15 users, is available at http://www.vasoftware.com. SFEE is optimized for the enterprise environment with features such as LDAP and Wiki integration, workflow tracking capabilities, role-based access controls, and support for multiple Software Configuration Management (SCM) tools. For more information, visit: http://www.vasoftware.com.

Xandros Announces 64-bit Xandros Server

Xandros announced that the Xandros Server now supports high-performance computing utilizing 64-bit processors from Intel and AMD. According to the announcement, support for Intel EM64T and AMD64 processors will be provided to Xandros customers at no additional charge. Xandros Server is the first Linux server to provide a platform for enterprise administrators and SMBs that have little or no Linux experience. Built on top of Debian Linux, it provides a Managed Community architecture with workflow automation. Xandros Server presents a simplified, centralized approach to remotely administering users and services through the all-graphical Xandros Management Console (xMC). It is compatible with any existing Windows domain and networking infrastructure, offering a plug-and-play replacement to Windows servers.

Xandros Server 1.0 Standard Edition 64-bit is available for purchase and download from http://www.xandros.com and resellers worldwide at a suggested retail price of $449.99 (plus tax). For complete product and purchase details, visit http://www.xandros.com. Ark Linux 2006.1-rc2 and Ark Linux Live 2006.1-rc2 Released

The Ark Linux team announced the immediate availability of Ark Linux 2006.1-rc2 and Ark Linux Live 2006.1-rc2. According to the company, both releases can be downloaded at http://www.arklinux.org. This is the last release candidate of Ark Linux 2006.1, which will be released as soon as OpenOffice.org 2.0.3 and kernel 2.6.17 are released and integrated. The current release candidate includes pre-release versions of those.

The company says there have been many changes since the first release candidate, including KDE 3.5.3, X.Org 7.1, and amaroK 1.4.0a. For more information, visit: http://www.arklinux.org.

OpenVZ Operating System Virtualization Offered Free with Mandriva Corporate Server 4.0

Mandriva and the OpenVZ project announced that the OpenVZ operating system virtualization software will be included as part of the Mandriva Corporate Server 4.0. According to the announcement, OpenVZ is operating system-level server-virtualization software technology, built on Linux, which creates isolated, secure virtual environments on a single physical server, thus enabling greater server utilization and superior availability with fewer performance penalties. The virtual servers ensure that applications do not conflict and can be re-booted independently.

For more information, visit: http://www.mandriva.com.

NetClarity Launches Auditor v5.0

NetClarity announced Auditor v5.0, a product that helps IT staff provide better preemptive and proactive network protection. According to the company, this upgrade to NetClarity's Auditor Enterprise and Auditor Branch appliances features more than 30 improvements, including an enhanced vulnerability quarantine system, integration with two additional smart switches, and reporting tools. Other new features of Auditor v5.0 include improved asset discovery and inventory alerting engines, automated encrypted backups to Windows and Linux servers, and logs that can be exported for forensic analysis and compliance requirements.

Auditor v5.0 starts at $1,295 and scales depending on the number of assets of devices being protected. For more information, visit: http://www.netclarity.net.

Hobnob Unveils my.hobnob Portal

Hobnob announced my.hobnob, a portal for the Hobnob Secure Network System that simplifies network security for users and IT staff. According to the announcement, the my.hobnob portal has an easy-to-use interface for users to manage their own network accounts, find instructions for common tasks, and get assistance from administrators. Users on a Hobnob-protected network are empowered to help themselves whether they are on a wired or wireless network. Users can reach the portal at any time by simply going to "my.hobnob" in their Web browser.

Hobnob also provides a fully integrated issue-tracking system. When a user submits a help request through my.hobnob, the issue-tracking system automatically extracts relevant information to aid administrators in troubleshooting. This system reduces the time-to-resolution for issues and corresponding IT costs.

For more information, visit: http://www.hobnob.com.