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Read the reviews: |
Customer Quotes: |
| Confused about having Internet and Email access? See Mail and Web
Servers. Or just call or write with your questions and concerns! |
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SME Server V5, from Mitel Networks (formerly E-Smith Server)
- Low cost Internet Firewall and mail server for your small business (5 - 1,000 employees)
- Target and stop viruses before they infect your desktop PC's
- Stop Email spam.
- Secure access by PPTP or IPSEC for traveling employees
- Control access to objectionable web sites.
- Simple administration of all settings through a web browser
- Employer control over employee Internet access to time wasting sites
- Avoid monthly ISP per mailbox charges for email
- Far less costly than competitive Microsoft solutions
The SME Server V5, (formerly E-Smith Server) from Mitel Networks, is an inexpensive Linux based Internet gateway, firewall, and more. It has been recommended by Network Computing, CRN, Linux Journal and other publications. It's easy to setup and administer, and includes many features that are useful for small to medium size businesses. Optional services such as server based E-mail virus scanning are also available.
You don't really have to understand any of this if you don't want to. There's very little administration required once your system is initially configured, and we can help you completely with that. See the Q & A section for common questions we get from concerned business owners.
Or just call or write. We're happy to discuss your concerns and answer your questions.
I investigated and used many other systems before settling on this. There are a number of reasons why. First, I like that the product is Open Source. While I don't expect these folks to go out of business soon, it's nice to know that the system is also available in source form.
I also like that the design allows and encourages customization. With most proprietary systems, you can't add features unless they have those features available. With this, you can usually add Linux packages very easily. This also means that upgrades and security patches are easy to implement.
Most of all, I've appreciated the high level of professional support that I have experienced with this product. I can flatly say that I have never seen such commitment to support with any other product I sell.
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Features
- Open Source
- Based on Red Hat Linux
- Administered through web browser
- DHCP Server
- IP Masquerading
- Apache web Server
- Obtuse Smtpd Mail Server
- ProFTPd Ftp Server
- Squid Proxy Server
- Port forwarding
- Dynamic DNS Support
- Samba File and Print Server
- i-bays
- LDAP mail directory - shared mail address book.
- POP3, IMAP and Webmail Email retrieval
- Private Discussion Groups
- Virtual Domains
- Support for client to local lan VPN's using PPTP or IPSEC
- Price includes support!
- Services include Virus Scan, Web Access control, Free/Busy Scheduling, Groupware Calendars, Spam Control, Guaranteed E-Mail, and 24 X 7 alerts and reporting.
- Optional Server to Server VPN just $200 per office
The SME Server V5 (formerly E-Smith Server) is a nicely packaged Linux based server that can replace or be an alternative for Microsoft Exchange. It is administered through a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape. No Linux or Unix knowledge is necessary for day to day administration.
This is a high performance, very secure mail server. Virus scanning service stops Windows viruses before they even reach the PC's. Mail clients such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Netscape, Eudora, etc. can access mail through POP3 or IMAP, or you can use the Webmail interface from any browser.
The server is also an Apache web server with the ability to host multiple domains.
The Squid proxy server offers cacheing efficiency, and the ability to block access to objectionable sites.
The standard VPN support uses the Microsoft PPTP or IPSEC clients- no extra software to buy. The optional, subscription based IPSEC server to server VPN is ideal for branch offices to be connected over the Internet with no client software on the Windows machines.
Most ordinary configuration (adding users, etc.) is done through a web browser interface. If you need to make custom firewall rules, etc. that's done from the Linux command line; see https://www.e-smith.org/custom/ for an overview of that.
Because this is Open Source Red Hat Linux, and not a closed, proprietary appliance, you aren't locked into the capabilities provided by the base product. There is a large world wide community of E-Smith users and they have developed many add-on packages. See Mitel's Developer's site for more information.
Don't pay ISP mail box charges!
Many ISP's charge you per mailbox- if you have 30 email addresses, you have to pay for each and every one. When you have your own server, at most you'll pay ONE mailbox charge, and you may not have to pay any.
See Why run your own mail server?
See https://edocs.mitel.com/6000_SME_Server/smeserveruserguide/English/admin-useraccounts.html to see how easy it is to maintain your own email accounts- and have as many as you want!
We provide sales, installation and support on your equipment or we can sell you a fully configured system. A complete system, ready for you to plug in, is typically about $700.00 for the hardware (tape backup extra, see below for software pricing). If you want to run this on your own hardware, you need a 400 Mhz or better CPU, 128 MB of RAM, and 6 GB of diskspace, plus one or two supported NIC cards- a very inexpensive system nowadays.
See Mitel's SME Server Web Site for detailed product information.
There are also SME Server V5 resellers all over the world-
contact Mitel Networks for the address of someone near you. Some
also advertise their services at our
consultants page.
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Q & A
- We use Microsoft Outlook Express. Don't I need Exchange?
No, you don't. Outlook, Outlook Express, Netscape, Eudora and indeed just about any E-mail client will work. You do not need the complication or the expense of Microsoft Exchange.
The server includes Free/Busy Scheduling which integrates with Outlook to provide two services: users may publish their busy times to the 6000/SME Server, and users may see another user's busy times from within Outlook. This provides Outlook with access to free/busy information similar to what is provided by a Microsoft Exchange Server.If you are not using Outlook, the eb based Groupware package can provide similar features to allow people to share calendars, contacts and to-do lists.
- What about file and print sharing?
The SME Server V5 includes file and print sharing at no extra charge, and no licensing required no matter how many users are accessing shared resources. - I have my web site and email hosted somewhere else and do not
want to host my own web site. Is that a problem?
No, not at all. While the E-Smith server can be your website, it does not have to be. Web and mail can be entirely separate. Call us to discuss how you can best do this. - I don't know anything about Linux. How can I manage this?
Most management is through an easy to use web browser. You don't have to know anything about Linux. In the rare event that some command line configuration was necessary, we would provide you with complete step by step instruction or (if you wished) we would log on to your server and do it for you. - Why isn't it Windows instead of Linux?
Security, stability and power. Linux can run on far less powerful hardware than Windows can, and it is generally considered to be more stable and secure. Also consider that Linux itself is immune to Windows viruses. That's one of the reasons it can handle email viruses so easily. You wouldn't set a chicken out to guard against foxes, would you? - So what version of Linux do I install this on?
You don't. The SME Server CD includes the entire operating system; in fact you CAN'T install this on an existing Linux machine- it installs everything it needs fresh. Realize that this overwrites the entire hard drive- this becomes a dedicated machine. - I need to access my email while traveling or from home. Can I
do this?
Very easily, either through the browser based Webmail capability or by using the PPTP or IPSEC VPN. The VPN can even let you access other applications on your internal network. - I have complicated mail needs. I want to have
"sales@mycompany.com" go to several different people.
This is very easy to do, and the best part is that you control it yourself, right on the server. - I'm really concerned about security. Is it safe to connect to
the Internet?
The SME server is a firewall, and is configured to restrict inbound access. Normally, the only access to this is through a web browser on your local network- remote users cannot access this in any way. When new security threats do arise, Mitel provides updated software that you download and install with just a few clicks of your mouse. - But I already have a firewall?
That's fine. The SME server can happily work behind your existing firewall. - I don't want my employees wasting time on the Internet.
Of course you don't. And yet, access to the Internet may now be necessary. But we can give you total control over that: who has access and who does not, and even block access to objectionable or time wasting sites. You can control email too: not every employee has to have an email account. - I have virus scan software on my PC's. Why should I use
this?
PC based virus scanning is often a source of problems and can interfere with the operation of other programs, so sometimes people deliberately shut it off while installing new software etc. Sometimes they forget to turn it on, and you are exposed. The downloading of new pattern files to each PC can be time consuming and annoying for users also. There's also simply the advantage of having different types of scanning- if the PC based scanner is not yet aware of a new virus, the SME server scanner might be, and vice versa.You shouldn't NOT have desktup virus scanning; if you really want the best protection, you should have both. - I already have a dedicated appliance that has these functions.
What makes this better?
This is a real computer, with a real Red Hat Linux operating system. It is constantly updated to add new features and to improve security. Additionally, the design both allows and encourages user customization- you aren't locked in to just the features someone else thinks you should have.
More questions about the technical details? These FAQS will
answer many of your questions: https://www.e-smith.org/faq.php3
and https://www.e-smith.com/FAQ/
On-line manual: https://edocs.mitel.com/default-6000SBAP.htm
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Pricing
| Product | Support | Virus Scan, Spam Control etc. | Cost |
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| Downloaded version | None | No | (free) |
| Base System (25 users) | 1 year | Yes | $ 895.00 |
| Additional 25 users | 1 year | Yes | $ 200.00 |
| Additional 100 users | 1 year | Yes | $ 595.00 |
| Branch Office VPN | 1 year | Yes | $ 200.00 |
You can download the free product freely from ftp.e-smith.com. The downloaded product does not have support for virus scanning or any of the other extra cost services. You also (of course) get absolutely no support of any kind with that- you are on your own.
Please don't write to me looking for support on the downloaded version unless you want to upgrade to a supported version. Support is very reasonably priced, just a few dollars per day.
| Server based virus scanning stops viruses before they get to your PC's. Nothing to install on the desktop PC's, updates itself automatically. |
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Support
Your support is provided by your reseller, not directly by Mitel. Generally the reseller will answer most questions directly, but does have access to Mitel support as needed.
Customization of the Server
One of the core advantages of the SME Server is that it is both a simple and functional package out-of-the-box, yet readily customizable to meet the specific needs of partners and customers.
Of course, this extensibility raises an interesting question when it comes to technical support: "What does Mitel support, and what voids the warranty?" While the product is inherently extensible, and Mitel encourages customization of the software, it is not commercially reasonable for us to provide technical support for work done by others. We believe it is the responsibility of parties making customizations to stand by their work.
Mitel supports all unmodified installations, and any upgrades and patches that we release. In addition, Mitel provides technical support for approved customizations to the SME Server. Mitel will also support server capabilities on customized servers, but may decline support if we believe that customization is contributing to the issue.
Supported customizations of the SME Server take one of two forms: software blades or configuration tuning. Software blades are bundled packages that add new functionality or alter the functionality of the existing server. In the context of technical support, blades are divided into three categories: unsupported,approved, and supported.
Unsupported blades are blades that have been developed by a third party and have not undergone any of Mitel's quality assurance programs. We welcome these contributions but feel it is the responsibility of authors (or their licensees) to support this work. Approved blades are blades that have been through the Mitel Blade Certification program. This program examines blades for their level of integration into the SME Server architecture, and seeks to ensure that installation will have no unanticipated side effects that might affect service levels. In essence, we have examined these blades to ensure that they do not interfere with other software.
Mitel supports the installation and de-installation of approved blades. Note, however, that we do not support questions regarding the configuration and operation of these new blades. Supported blades have undergone the highest level of Mitel quality assurance. These blades have been examined not only for correct integration with other blades and the rest of the system, but for correct operations and ongoing manageability.
Mitel supports the installation, de-installation, and the configuration and management of supported blades.
A final area of customization is that of configuration tuning. Wherever appropriate, Mitel has attempted to make its standard product configuration-driven. That is, the behavior of the SME Server is controlled by settings in the configuration database. It is possible, and intended by design, to modify the behavior of the SME Server in a number of ways by adding, deleting or changing various configuration database settings.
Mitel fully supports such customizations (where performed in accordance with Mitel-published documentation), and is working to better document the available configuration variables and allowable values, along with their effect on server behavior.
Software Upgrades and Updates
Mitel supports all SME Server-related products for a full year beyond the end-of-life for that particular product release. We encourage all users to upgrade their servers on a regular basis, but recognize that this is not always convenient or risk-free, and that such upgrades should be carefully planned to ensure there is no loss of data or functionality. On the other hand, each new release brings with it bug and security fixes, as well as new functionality. Clearly, a balance must be struck between stability and currency.
We believe that providing support for a full year beyond the
end-of-life provides a reasonable safety net, while still
encouraging regular software maintenance of all servers. When a
problem reported to support has been identified as having been
resolved by a patch, Mitel may insist on the application of that
patch to the affected server(s). We will continue to produce
patches for all supported product releases.
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Testimonials
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More customer quotes: https://www.e-smith.com/customers/
InfoWorld Review: https://www.infoworld.com/articles/ne/xml/02/02/25/020225nelinuxfire.xml
Linux
Magazine gives SME Server V5 a 5 star review!.
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