New and Enhanced Features in Version 2.0

NetMaster CSM and GG-OS Version 2.0 build on the successful release and commercialization of the original Gateway Guardian, Firecard, and Inferno products. Major new or enhanced features in this version include:

• The process for locating and initially configuring new security devices on the network has been significantly modified to make it easier and faster than ever before. NetMaster has developed their own, proprietary Security Blade Configuration Protocol (SBCP) that is used by the device configuration software (NetMaster CSM) to communicate through the network to an unconfigured security device (that doesn't yet have an IP Address assigned).

  Users no longer have to change the IP of the local workstation or have a local DHCP Server available in order to configure the device. And, unlike many other network devices, console access or null-modem cables are not required either!
  
  

• GG-OS no longer requires any diskettes! GG-OS installs directly from a bootable CD and, once installed, runs directly from the internal system hard drive.
  
  
• GG-OS no longer needs to be rebooted to implement configuration changes or most software updates. This minimizes end-user impact due to system downtime.
  
  
• Significantly redesigned and improved the user interface. Now better organized and more user-friendly. Added several Wizards to simplify and automate various device administration tasks.
  
  
• Renamed the device administration software user interface from Inferno to NetMaster CSM (Centralized Security Management) to better identify what purpose the software serves.
  
  
• Significantly redesigned device status monitoring capability via a Status Web Server and a built-in SNMP Agent. Authorized SNMP clients (such as NetMaster's own CSM) can retrieve device status information as required. Also, GG-OS can be configured to send SNMP Trap Messages to remote hosts configured and enabled to receive these messages. These messages can then be delivered via pager, cell phone text messaging, email, Windows popup messages, or other facility in order to alert the device administrator to specific events in real-time, as they occur. (This feature replaces, and is a significant enhancement to, the Active Alert system found in the first generation product.)
  
  
• Added a Logging Events and SNMP Traps Window to the bottom of the device management user interface (NetMaster CSM) to allow the real-time capture, reporting, and alerting of various messages being sent by the security device.
  
  
• Advanced Encryption Standard (AES Rijndael) encryption algorithm for IPSEC VPN tunnels. (AES can provide up to a 100% performance increase over 3DES-encrypted tunnels.) Twofish and Serpent encrytion algorithms are also available.
  
  
• Added a VPN Wizard which makes configuring VPN tunnels much easier than ever before. Now, the process of creating a VPN tunnel between two NetMaster security devices is as simple as selecting which two devices to create the tunnel between and clicking "Next" to create the tunnel association between the two devices. Just 3 clicks!
  
  
• Multi-homed external Ethernet interface. Up to 252 IP Addresses can now be assigned to the external interface while the system is running in Network Address Translation (NAT) Mode. This allows multiple web servers, mail servers, etc. behind the NAT Mode firewall.
  
  
• Access to NetMaster SafetyNet for free software updates for the life of the version of the product you have purchased.
  
  
• Access Control Groups can be created in order to assign network computers to specific groups. Each Access Control Group can then have their own Firewall and Bandwidth Management rulesets applied against them. This significantly improves and simplifies the ability to assign common rulesets to more than one computer in that the ruleset only has to be created and assigned once for the whole group.
  
  
• The Firewall rulesets that can be assigned to Access Control Groups can be further customized by specifying the time-of-day and day-of-week that the ruleset will apply to the Group. (i.e. Time-Based Rulesets.)
  
  

Click here to view a list of all changes and updates that have been made to Gateway Guardian since the initial release of Version 2.0.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact support@netmaster.com.