Mandrakesoft: Multi Network Firewall simplifies administration of advanced VPN networks

Multi Network Firewall provides comprehensive user-friendly solution for
advanced VPN networks 

Altadena, CA; Paris, France; December 12th, 2002 -- MandrakeSoft, a leading 
Linux solutions provider, today announced the availability of "Multi Network 
Firewall" (MNF) -- a multi-VPN (virtual private network), multi-DMZ 
(demilitarized zone) firewall and networking solution that provides smart 
Internet Traffic Management combined with an industrial-strength hardening 
system for the highest level of network security. MNF provides remote 
administration and finely-tuned monitoring through a secure web interface, 
plus MandrakeSoft's world-famous famous ease-of-use. MNF is the newest 
release in the MandrakeSecurity range of products, which also 
includes the Single Network Firewall, an application widely adopted by 
customers throughout the globe.

MNF is now available at MandrakeStore. 
(http://www.mandrakestore.com)

The Multi Network Firewall adds numerous features to Single Network Firewall 
such as the ability to manage multiple Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and 
multiple DeMilitarized Zones (DMZs). MNF is based on a secure Linux 2.4 
kernel to provide numerous new technologies as well as an improved user 
interface. "The Single Network Firewall was a great product in its class, but 
it didn't include the wealth of advanced features that are introduced with 
MNF," said Frédéric Lepied, Chief Technical Officer of MandrakeSoft. "Aside 
from DMZ and VPN features, MNF offers, for instance, a stateful packet 
filtering technology based on IPtables and the Shorewall project to allow 
smarter and more precise analysis of data packets."

Easy network management and administration 

The attractive interface offered by MNF enables system administrators 
to configure complex firewall and network options/services with just a few 
clicks of the mouse to result in dramatic time and productivity gains. Even 
the most experienced administrators will appreciate the ability to achieve, 
in a matter of minutes, previously complicated tasks such as customizing the 
graphical display of information for network and system activities. With MNF, 
a basic firewall configuration can be accomplished with just two mouse clicks 
(closing and opening of ports). 

A cost effective solution for SMBs and large entreprises

MNF is an ideal solution for small and medium-sized businesses as well as 
large enterprises seeking to deploy a full-featured network security solution 
that also delivers a low cost of ownership. Provided under a "per-server" 
licensing model, MNF's comprehensive networking solution offers superior 
economics by eliminating typical "add-on" costs such as 3DES VPN licenses and 
VPN clients, as well as by bundling a collection of software that most other 
companies sell separately.

"MNF addresses the increasing needs expressed by businesses for a 
cost-effective yet comprehensive firewalling solution. Our new product is a 
milestone in MandrakeSoft's long standing focus on security matters," said 
François Bancilhon, CEO of MandrakeSoft. "It is difficult, if not impossible, 
to find a better product that combines mouse-based configuration with such 
advanced powerful network services."

A medium-sized business can use MNF to build the entire company's network, 
including several demilitarized zones (DMZs) with Intrusion Detection 
capabilities. DMZs are special areas of a network placed between an untrusted 
environment (such as the Internet) and a protected network. With MNF, a 
business is capable of creating as many virtual private networks as needed, 
for example, to provide secure and encrypted communication for privileged and 
critical data. Large enterprises, especially those comprised of 
multi-platform environments, can use MNF to build sub-networks for providing 
secure access to entire company divisions. MNF also enables large enterprises 
to create virtual networks so that mobile staff members can communicate 
securely with the main office.


MNF's leading-edge Traffic Management feature handles the widest range 
of Internet connections, including modem, DSL, ISDN, Cable and T1. With MNF, 
businesses can optimize Internet bandwidth and control the time allowed for 
web-surfing. The integration of an easily configurable proxy (transparent, 
manual and manual with user authentication) accelerates access to content and 
data transfer. A specialized feature allows the ability to control Internet 
access only during specified hours of the day. MNF also enables businesses to 
enact content filtering capabilities to make sure that inappropriate or 
unwanted content can not be accessed from within the company's network.


MNF's main features include:

Easy-to-use yet powerful configuration tools

- Configuration and management is performed through a secure Web Interface
- Monitoring tools display detailed information about network & system 
activity
- Logs report intrusion detection, DHCP and Proxy usage
- Dial-on-demand provides a hassle-free way to share a dial-up connection

Strong Firewall

- "IPtables" firewalling subsystem (stateful secure kernel 2.4).
- "Snort" and "Prelude" Intrusion Detection Systems
- DMZ wizard for configuring DMZs
- VPN, based on FreeS/wan project, for secure data transfer
- "Shorewall" hardening firewall system
- "MSEC" security system

Complete network solution

- Integrated and easily configured Proxy
- URL/content filtering
- Web surfing time restriction
- DNS cache
- DHCP server

A complete list of MNF features is available at:
http://www.mandrakesoft.com/products/mnf/features


Pricing and availability

Sold under a per-server licensing model, the Multi Network Firewall is 
available at MandrakeStore (http://www.mandrakestore.com) for $1990. This 
price includes 30 days of telephone support in France and the United States, 
or 30 days of Internet-based support for all other countries. MNF's packaged 
version also includes six months access to a dedicated MandrakeSoft server 
for security updates. A comprehensive Installation manual ensures that all 
MNF users can easily and rapidly deploy a full-featured system.

Members of the Mandrake Corporate Club as well as "Gold" (and above) 
MandrakeClub members are entitled to a 10% discount. Please visit the MNF 
pricing page to learn more:
http://www.mandrakesoft.com/products/mnf/pricing


Licensing

MNF is available in two versions: a download version with MandrakeSoft's 
developments released under the GPL (General Public License), and a 
commercial version with MandrakeSoft''s developments copyrighted under a 
non-GPL license. The two versions are identical regarding the number of 
included network/firewall features, but are different regarding 
MandrakeSoft's development licensing. Contrary to the commercial version sold 
at MandrakeStore, the download version is not eligible for technical or 
warranty support from MandrakeSoft.
Details of MNF's licensing terms are available at:
http://www.mandrakesoft.com/products/mnf/license


The MNF is derived from the OpenRouter project partially funded by the 
European Commission's IST program (IST-2000-28503, under Key-action IV.3, 
Research in & take-up of Open Source / Free Software).


Additional information about MNF is available at 
http://www.mandrakesoft.com/products/mnf

About MandrakeSoft

MandrakeSoft provides a trusted interface between users of information 
technology and Open Source developers. The company offers its enterprise, 
government and educational customers a complete range of GNU/Linux and 
OpenSource software and related services, plus user-friendly and highly 
competitive information technologies. Additionally, MandrakeSoft offers 
technologists committed to Open Source software and courseware a trusted 
channel to offer their services.

MandrakeSoft has technologists in over 20 countries, and is traded on Paris 
Euronext Marche Libre (Euroclear code: 4477.PA; Reuters code: MAKE.PA) and 
the US OTC market (stock symbol MDKFF). "Born on the Internet" in late 1998, 
MandrakeSoft has established headquarters in the U.S.A., Montreal and France.

Please visit the website: http://www.mandrakesoft.com for more information.