Embedded Web Servers Dave Piscitello, Core Competence, Inc. Lisa Phifer, Core Competence, Inc. 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? l Software-only – QNX, Spyglass l Hardware for managing and configuring something else – routers, switches, hubs, printers l Hardware for deploying Intranet services – what we’ll demonstrate today
What is an Intranet appliance? l Systems that – support HTTP, HTML – serve up files for browser-enabled clients – and more! l 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, K 12
Kinds of appliances Shared disk, filesystem web server l No-frills web server l – basic HTML/HTTP l Advanced web server – CGI, Java support, web-enabled discussion groups, e. Commerce, etc. l Multi-server appliances – web and file server plus email, router, DNS, DHCP, web cache, firewall, gateway
Products demonstrated l Cisco Micro Webserver 200 – http: //www. cisco. com l Microtest Web. Zerver – http: //www. zerver. com l Cobalt Microserver Qube 2700 WG – http: //www. cobaltmicro. com l Apexx TEAM Internet – http: // www. apexxtech. com
Possible applications Small business Extranet l SOHO/ROBO Intranet server l Discussion Forum server l Workgroup file/CD ROM sharing l Firewall/Router for Internet access l Remote access router l Office email server l Extranet l
Our Design Goals for Appliances l Plug and play – Attach power, connect to Ethernet and go! l User interface – Should be simple, not overly constrained Access controls for users and groups l Configuration, management via browser l Pre-installed web content, utilities, scripts l – Easy integration of these into published site
General State of Appliances Almost plug and play l User interfaces somewhat limited l Setup of users and groups is tedious l – Not well integrated with NOS access controls l Not ready for certain extranet applications – No SSL, PKI, e. Commerce support l Not for high-performance web serving – Expect to support ~50 users, <T 1 access
What features do you need? Ask yourself, ask your vendor: l Types of network attachment? l How extensible is the web server? l DHCP, DNS, Mail servers included? l Type of built-in OS, web server software? l How many different ways to upload files? l What other tools are bundled with the box? l Are design, content templates included?
Feature comparison
Appliances: Pros l Simplicity over NT & UNIX servers, – esp. for organizations with little or no OS admin expertise l l Reduced total cost of ownership Can lock down web site easier than with general purpose computing platform server
Appliances: Cons l Can’t find and manage on corporate net – not issue for those that support SMB/CIFS/Apple. Share l l l 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. "
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