Filanet Appliance Jacks-up Internet Service

By
iApplianceWeb
(05/31/01, 10:03:35 AM EDT)

Filanet Corporation serves up the InterJak 200 Internet service appliance with xDSL or ISDN S/T connectivity. The InterJak 200 is an integrated gateway that allows small offices and home offices (SOHO) to share Internet access, files, printers, and network services. The product runs an enhanced version of MicroLinux.

The software includes, content filtering, network monitoring, traffic shaping, PPPoE support, and network printing. It is offered with selectable software upgrades, which Filanet customers can obtain for free, then pay to activate.

The InterJak Network Monitor gives service providers the means to access a customer's network behind a firewall. This allows the service provider to perform tests to track network-attached peripherals, show bandwidth utilization, and report issues. The first release of network monitoring features displays CPU, memory, and Ethernet statistics. The information is served to a standard browser interface.

Also included in the InterJak is traffic shaping which organizes inbound and outbound traffic to ensure high priority applications, such as Web surfing, are executed before lower priority applications, such as file transfers.

Bandwidth across a given interface (e.g. Ethernet port) can also be constrained to shape traffic across a slower WAN interface. In addition, outbound traffic will be tagged to enable service providers to deliver end-to-end prioritization. With this feature, ISPs can ensure that their customers are receiving appropriate utilization of their available bandwidth.

The InterJak platform also provides content filtering by checking user Web access against a proprietary database from SurfControl that is automatically updated at regular intervals. It blocks objectionable and non-productive sites with profiles based on a combination of categories specified by the system administrator.

PPPoE client support on the InterJak platform eliminates the need to install PPPoE client software on individual PCs. PPPoE is often required to obtain an IP address from ADSL service providers. The InterJak will utilize PPPoE to obtain an IP address, and users on the local network can share the address for Internet access.

The InterJak's print spooling to Ethernet or USB-attached printers offers the ability to print without tying up PC time. This option requires a USB or IEEE 1394 hard drive which can be hot plugged into the InterJak platform for temporary storage of print data. With the print spooling feature, users can print to a network-attached or USB printer without a special print client.

Pricing is based on the activated features. The base price for the InterJak 200 is $645. The InterJak 200 ISDN S/T sells for $695 and the InterJak 200 xDSL sells for $795. The additional services such as VPN service management, content filtering, and traffic shaping cost between $200 and $300 per service.