EnGarde packs a lot of Linux security into one package

Users looking for a stronger Linux server may want to check out EnGarde Secure Linux Professional, which was recently released from Guardian Digital.

The software includes a bevy of built-in security features such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, management applications and automated tools for creating secure Web and e-mail servers on top of the base operating system.

Included in the operating system is a built-in firewall with network address translation and IP address, as well as the Snort network intrusion detection system, an open source IDS used widely in commercial IDS appliances. Also included is an automated alert system, which can notify administrators of network security events as they are caught by the firewall or Snort IDS code. For host IDS, the open source program Tripwire is used to secure the server against unauthorized system access.

A MySQL database is include and is used to create and manage Web servers, along with a tool for generation and managing Secure Sockets Layer certificates, used on secure Web sites for handling e-commerce transactions.

Also included are several management console applications that promise "easy" configuration and setup of e-mail servers and Web servers, as well as system access monitoring. For ultimate data security, even tape back-up software is thrown in, with support for "nearly every" major tape drive brand on the market.

Of course, much of the code in EnGarde is free, but putting it together in a working system with add-on tools is where the company hopes to make a buck. And at $550 for the base operating system, and $220 per year for a continuous upgrade and patch service, the company expects to do so.