Scribd
Upload
142 views14 pages

Embedded

1) What embedded web servers and intranet appliances are, including their main purposes and types. 2) Several specific appliance products that were demonstrated. 3) General features and design goals the authors believe appliances should have. 4) Current state of appliances and limitations, as well as things users should consider when choosing an appliance. 5) The authors' opinions on the pros and cons of using appliances versus general purpose servers.

Uploaded by

Archana Panwar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
142 views14 pages

Embedded

1) What embedded web servers and intranet appliances are, including their main purposes and types. 2) Several specific appliance products that were demonstrated. 3) General features and design goals the authors believe appliances should have. 4) Current state of appliances and limitations, as well as things users should consider when choosing an appliance. 5) The authors' opinions on the pros and cons of using appliances versus general purpose servers.

Uploaded by

Archana Panwar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 14

Embedded Web Servers

Dave Piscitello, Core Competence, Inc.


Lisa Phifer, Core Competence, Inc.
David Strom, David Strom, Inc.
Our backgrounds

We write about and test products for a living.

We consult for some of the vendors involved.


What is an embedded web
server?
 Software-only
– QNX, Spyglass
 Hardware for managing and
configuring something else
– routers, switches, hubs, printers
 Hardware for deploying Intranet services
– what we’ll demonstrate today
What is an Intranet appliance?
 Systems that
– support HTTP, HTML
– serve up files for browser-enabled clients
– and more!
 and are used to
– host a corporate, workgroup, or small business
web site, establishing its identity
– provide Internet access and LAN services to
corporation, workgroup, small biz, K12
Kinds of appliances
 Shared disk, filesystem web server
 No-frills web server
– basic HTML/HTTP
 Advanced web server
– CGI, Java support, web-enabled discussion
groups, eCommerce, etc.
 Multi-server appliances
– web and file server plus email, router, DNS,
DHCP, web cache, firewall, gateway
Products demonstrated
 Cisco Micro Webserver 200
– http://www.cisco.com
 Microtest WebZerver
– http://www.zerver.com
 Cobalt Microserver Qube 2700WG
– http://www.cobaltmicro.com
 Apexx TEAM Internet
– http:// www.apexxtech.com
Possible applications
 Small business Extranet
 SOHO/ROBO Intranet server
 Discussion Forum server
 Workgroup file/CD ROM sharing
 Firewall/Router for Internet access
 Remote access router
 Office email server
 Extranet
Our Design Goals for
Appliances
 Plug and play
– Attach power, connect to Ethernet and go!
 User interface
– Should be simple, not overly constrained
 Access controls for users and groups
 Configuration, management via browser
 Pre-installed web content, utilities, scripts
– Easy integration of these into published site
General State of Appliances
 Almost plug and play
 User interfaces somewhat limited
 Setup of users and groups is tedious
– Not well integrated with NOS access controls
 Not ready for certain extranet applications
– No SSL, PKI, eCommerce support
 Not for high-performance web serving
– Expect to support ~50 users, <T1 access
What features do you need?
Ask yourself, ask your vendor:
 Types of network attachment?
 How extensible is the web server?
 DHCP, DNS, Mail servers included?
 Type of built-in OS, web server software?
 How many different ways to upload files?
 What other tools are bundled with the box?
 Are design, content templates included?
Feature comparison
Feature Cisco Micro Microtest Apexx Tech Cobalt Qube
Webserver200 WebZerver TEAM Internet 2700WG
Price $1595 $1595 $1695-3195 $1249+
File upload FTP FTP, FTP, FTP,
methods SMB SMB SMB,
Print driver AppleShare
10/100 Ethernet 10 only Both Option 10 only
CGI/Java Yes No No Yes
Telnet mgmt Yes No Yes Yes
Web extras Java-based NetObjects Site Claris Search engine,
configuration creator, HomePage Lite HTML editor
Search engine,
WS_FTP
Others Features External SCSI, Digital Paper DNS server, DNS server,
CGI libraries Viewer, Mail server, Mail server,
Discussion Firewall, Discussion
Threads Cache, Threads
Appliances: Pros
 Simplicity over NT & UNIX servers,
– esp. for organizations with little or
no OS admin expertise
 Reduced total cost of ownership
 Can lock down web site easier than with
general purpose computing platform server
Appliances: Cons
 Can’t find and manage on corporate net
– not issue for those that support
SMB/CIFS/AppleShare
 May need more than browser to manage
– telnet, proprietary wizards,
 Difficult to apply uniform user and group access
controls across both appliances and NOS
systems
 How scalable is CPU, storage, network?
My favorite appliance
Lisa: TEAMInternet
Why: “I want a one-box-does-it-all
turn-key solution for small biz LANs.”
Dave P: Cobalt
Why: “I want DNS, web and mail in an appliance
behind my own firewall, router.”
David S: Zerver
Why: “I want the easiest web publishing appliance
available."

You might also like