Astaro releases new Linux based security software

New York - Astaro this week at the LinuxWorld Expo announced its Security Linux V4 package for building Linux-based security devices on standard Intel server hardware.

New to Astaro, Security Linux includes wireless LAN security and authentication with support for virtual LAN security as well as RADIUS and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol support for user authentication. Also added is virus protection software for POP3 e-mail servers. The Astaro software also includes a firewall/VPN gateway, URL and content filtering tools, and Spam and virus blocking software.

The Astaro product also includes a tool called Up2Date, which can automate the updating of virus signatures on an Astaro box.

Astaro targets its product as a low-cost alternative to firewall appliances and software from Cisco, CheckPoint and NetScreen. At the heart of the Astaro product is a "hardened" version of the Linux operating system, customized to run as a security appliance. When installed on high-performance hardware - up to 1.2 GHz Pentium processors and Gigaibit Ethernet NICs - an Astaro-based device can support 128-bit encryption of VPN tunnels at up to 115M bit/sec. Firewall throughput can reach up to 735M bit/sec, according to the company.
 
Astaro Security Linux V4 will be available on Jan. 31, starting at $390 per license.

Read more about security in Network World's Security section.