The open source revolution in the software industry has made it possible to provide ClearOS at no cost.  Among other features, antivirus, antispam, VPN and content filtering are built right into the software -- no need for expensive third party add-ons. With ClearOS, you can avoid costly vendor lock-in and proprietary formats; instead, you can embrace open standards and protocols.

Along with online documentation, you will find an active community ready to help find your way.  Open source is great, but where do you go for help with installation, support, consulting and professional services?  Let me introduce you to ClearCenter.  Not only will you find 24x7 ClearCARE support from ClearCenter, but also a growing army of ClearCenter partners to help with installation, onsite support, professional services and that all important ongoing maintenance.

Integrated LDAP for User and Group Management
User Security Certificate Manager
Network Features
Multi-WAN
VPN - PPTP, IPsec, OpenVPN
DMZ and 1-to-1 NAT
Stateful Firewall
Local DHCP and DNS Servers

Antimalware - Antivirus, Antiphishing, Antispyware
Antispam
Bandwidth Management
Intrusion Protection, Intrusion Prevention, Intrusion Detection
Protocol Filtering including Peer-to-Peer Detection
Content Filter
Web Proxy
Access Control

Content Filter Updates
Intrusion Protection Updates
Remote Security Audit
Remote Server Backup
Antimalware Updates
Antispam Updates
Remote System Monitor
Remote Bandwidth Monitor
Dynamic DNS
Dynamic VPN

Server Features
Windows Networking with PDC Support
File and Print Services
Flexshares
Groupware with Outlook Connector
Mail Server - POP, IMAP, SMTP, Webmail, Retrieval
Mail Filtering - Antispam, Antimalware, Greylisting, Quarantine
Mail Archiving
Database with MySQL
Web Server with PHP Support

One of the most important tasks when deploying server systems is the ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
ClearSDN offers a suite of Gateway and DNS services to make sure your system is up-to-date, secure and running smoothly. Follow the links in the side bar to view more information on

ClearOS is designed to be installed on any X86 box. With one integrated platform you can now run your entire network on one hardware appliance. ClearCenter is dedicated to saving space, energy, and financial resources for small businesses. Now you can easily install and manage an entire network with less hardware, less complexity and greater reliability.
The ClearCenter solution has two components: ClearOS, an open source network and gateway server distribution ClearSDN, a service delivery platform with updates, new feature modules, technical support and cloud based services such as off-site server backup, dynamic DNS.

As an open source Linux distribution, ClearOS has achieved over 118,000 registered deployments in 80 countries and 21 languages. ClearOS is the perfect combination of technical excellence and flexible architecture, so it can be tailored to fit the needs of virtually any small business or distributed office environment. Each element of ClearOS, from virus protection to intrusion detection, employs commercial grade technology that can be included or excluded according to the requirements of the local environment. ClearSDN also offers updates and services selected by the local IT administrator as appropriate.

ClearOS is managed through an intuitive web-based interface for the entire system, including all components and services. The ClearOS management console dynamically reveals the ClearOS features depending upon what modules have been deployed in a given environment. The ClearOS server can integrate with existing technologies and servers on-site without conflict. ClearOS was designed to be deployed with ease.

With over 118,000 registered deployments, ClearOS has been proven to be a secure and robust gateway on the network edge. With commercial grade firewall and intrusion detection available with constant upgrades from ClearSDN, it becomes the networks first defence against malware, viruses and hackers. With remote server backup, your data is protected and secure on redundant data servers. The ClearSDN intrusion logs can track movement and file changes throughout your network. These functions keep your data and information secure, audited and backed up at all times. Your network is safe with ClearOS.

ClearOS software is available free for download and can be adapted as needed for specific environments. Additional services and features are available at very competitive rates via ClearSDN. Using ClearOS and ClearSDN, you can reduce IT management costs when compared to systems assembled using fragmented elements from a variety of hardware and software vendors. ClearCenter offers a dramatic decrease in network management and infrastructure costs.

ClearSDN is the heart of the ClearCenter solution. ClearOS can easily be installed on the network or at the gateway, but ClearSDN provides the critical software updates, content updates, monitoring and services to complete the solution. ClearSDN keeps your ClearOS installation up-to-date and secure.

Here are the primary functions of the ClearSDN service:
Software Updates Priority security and bug updates to the ClearOS software.
Content Updates Required updates to Content Filter, Intrusion Protection, Antispam and Antimalware.
Monitoring Alarms and reporting for bandwidth, resource and security management.
Remote Services Critical services for VPN, DNS and Remote Server Backup.

The Service Delivery Network or ClearSDN is comprised of servers that deliver additional advanced features to customers. ClearSDN is based on a distributed network topology and is able to provide services even in the event of a failure of multiple nodes on the ClearSDN. ClearSDN uses encrypted management protocols to communicate with ClearOS servers under management. ClearOS servers use these same encrypted protocols to send updates or request information when required.
Because of the distributed design of the Service Delivery Network, nodes can be added to co-location facilities worldwide with relative ease. This allows ClearCenter to scale at will to support an increasing number of subscribers and services.

The Content Filter monitors the inbound Internet traffic and blocks inappropriate material from view by the browser.  The Content Filter can be used not only to block inappropriate material, but also to enforce company policies. For instance, blocking personal webmail sites can increase productivity at the office.

Content Filter Updates benefits the organization by improving productivity and reducing liability. Entertainment and news sites can be blocked so that users spend their time working instead of browsing. Content Filter can also be used to keep inappropriate material such as pornography, gambling, or violent content off the network. This not only improves productivity, but reduces potential liability an employer may have to control content and activity in the work place.
The Content Filter Updates may also be configured with user specific or computer specific policies that apply permissions or restrictions based on content types or a time of day. These powerful controls (Access Control Lists) give you the ability to keep your network protected from inappropriate content based on the needs of the individuals.

Content Filter has two capabilities - white/grey/black list and contextual word reference. White/grey/black list is an authorized list of web site URLs with approved (white), scrutinized based on individual pages within the site (grey), and unapproved (black) sites.  This list needs to be maintained regularly because new sites appear, old sites disappear and current sites move around. By enabling the Content Filter Updates service, you will receive regular updates to the filter lists. The contextual word reference process reviews the words contained on a specific page for inappropriate words and phrases.  Approved sites that introduce inappropriate content can also be blocked.  The updates are maintained by human editors and not by automated computer "spiders". This improves the accuracy of the blocking schemes.

Intrusion Protection includes both Intrusion Detection and Intrusion Prevention. They work like an intelligent motion sensor protecting your network and data from hackers and internal risks. ClearSDN Intrusion Protection Updates are critical for sensitive, confidential or valuable data because the protection is constantly updated with the latest hackers tricks, methods and profiles.

Intrusion protection safeguards your data! Your data can be replicated or destroyed without your knowledge from both external and internal threats. The IT administrator and business manager need to know that their network and data is secure. Intrusion protection alerts you to potential danger on the network so you can take action.

Have you ever played chess? Intrusion Protection, using both detection and prevention methods, tracks malicious network behaviour like a set of chess moves. Intrusion Protection knows the difference between authorized data entry and the insertion of malicious code. It also tracks network movement and potential access to sensitive data files. A common technique to hack or harm a computer system is to enter through an open port, copy valuable information, and leave undetected, without leaving traceable malware, viruses or Trojan code behind. Intrusion Protection tracks over 1500 rules to determine when behaviour is potentially malicious and notifies the administrator to help track and defend sensitive content. With ClearSDN Intrusion Protection activated, your rules are automatically kept up-to-date. Rules are rigorously tested with every update and distributed monthly or immediately when a fast-spreading virus or worm is detected on the Internet.

Remote Security Audit tracks the critical files and directories, user accounts and potential vulnerabilities of your ClearOS installation. Remote Security Audit generates a written report of its review and identifies vulnerabilities and items that deserve review. Because of the variety of local network configurations, the Remote Security Audit is best assessed by someone intimately familiar with the local network requirements and potential risks.

The Remote Security Audit tracks the critical files and elements of your system down to the time stamp.  It reveals any changes to your ClearOS installation, allowing you the opportunity to review the security of your system and any changes made. With Remote Security Audit you can rest assured that no critical files can be altered or added without your knowledge.  Your data is safe!

Remote Security Audit retains a hash calculation of the critical files, directories and user accounts of your ClearOS installation.  As such, any change to any bit, including simple file time stamps, are detected and reported in the Remote Security Audit report.  The Remote Security Audit software is on the local server and verifies files each day.  Hash calculations are verified against a retained version on the ClearSDN server according to the subscription schedule.  By maintaining a check hash calculation on the remote ClearSDN server, hackers can't keep their tracks hidden by altering a local hash.

There are two elements to Remote Server Backup - configuration and data. Configuration backs up the configuration of the ClearOS installation so that in case of an upgrade, failure or replacement, you can upload the configuration settings into the new installation to get it back online quickly. Data backup preserves the entire customer data set off-site so that it too can be restored quickly. Both configuration and data backup are critical to disaster recovery and business continuity.

Systems fail. Its not a matter of if, but when. Sometimes its a simple hardware failure, other times its configuration problem or external threat. If systems are fully and completely redundant, they have a lower likelihood of failure, but only Remote Server Backup preserves your configuration and data off-site. From the CEO to the administrative staff, employees want their network secure, reliable and data available at all times. Remote Server Backup maintains continuity and recovery for vital data. Everyone benefits.

ClearSDN establishes a secure connection and backs up the configuration data as specified by the admin. When ClearSDN Remote Server Backup pulls the server data, backups are compared with previous backups to only upload incremental changes. This methods preserves backup space and bandwidth while retaining the latest changes to the data. The frequency of the backup can be specified by the user and all backup data can only be accessed by the authorized user, our ClearCenter administrators can't even see it!  Using military grade AES encryption, files are encrypted in transit, stored in encrypted file systems and data remains encrypted.  Your data a secure and you are the only one with the key!

Malware, short for malicious software, is "bad or wicked" software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's consent. Malware may be hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code that leads to illegal or destructive ends. The term "computer virus" is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types of malware, including true viruses.

Malware can destroy your data, your operating system, programs or simply invade and capture your personal information for illegal purposes. Antimalware is another fundamental requirement for computing that benefits every user on the network and must be updated regularly to be effective.

ClearSDN Antimalware uses a variety of detection methods to prevent the download of malware via email and the Internet. Not only does it detect inbound traffic or files that may contain malware, but it scans the ClearOS installation daily for the presence of malware file signatures. Antimalware keeps your network safe from inbound threats hidden within email and Internet traffic.

According to recent Google statistics, unsolicited commercial email or spam, represents over 94% of all email volume on the Internet. Antispam is a fundamental tool in reducing unwanted email for entering your email box. Using a variety of methods from blacklists to contextual assessment, Antispam keeps commercial unsolicited email from being processed or stored by your email server.

Antispam is essential. Without it, individual email volume would multiply 20x and email would be useless. Even a poor Antispam solution renders email useless because the email volume is too great to be efficiently used. ClearSDN Antispam updates are essential to maintaining function email service.

Antispam uses a variety of methods to detect and block unsolicited email. Blacklists use a known list of URLs and IP addresses that send unsolicited email. These are created based upon reports from users and known offenders to the 2003 CAN-SPAM Regulation. Unsolicited email focuses on a number of common topics from weight loss to mortgage refinance, thus contextual word search will reveal a likely offender remove it from your inbound email traffic. OCR (optical character recognition) can also scan html and other images for words to submit to the contextual word search. In addition, Anti-spam quarantine sets questionable email aside for user to review and accept as needed. Antispam requires regular ClearSDN updates in order to remain effective.

System Monitor checks the ports, system load, disk space and memory usage on your ClearOS installation. As such, it can offer insight into the performance or failure of given system. System Monitor is a valuable piece of a network management strategy.

System Monitor tracks the health and well-being of your ClearOS installation. By checking the pulse of your ClearOS installation regularly, the IT admin knows if the network may be running slowly or critical functions may not perform properly. It's a valuable tool for the IT admin to maintain uptime and manage the network.

System Monitor peers into the heart of the hardware running your ClearOS installation and offers a dashboard style review of the capacity utilization of the key hardware components. When you have a measurement of available system load, disk space, memory usage and more, an IT admin can make judgements about whether hardware needs to be upgraded or if there are problems within the system. System Monitor keeps you up to date on the health of your hardware.

Bandwidth Monitor provides information on the average download speed of your system's Internet connection. The hourly test is a great tool for measuring your Internet provider's quality of service and detecting unauthorized usage.

Though there are number of harmless variables that may change your bandwidth, it's a good idea to monitor for dramatic changes so you can assess whether there is a problem on the network. This benefits the IT admin and all users because you'll be notified when the Internet connection is running slowly and may need attention.

Every hour Remote Bandwidth Monitor passes a small amount of data between the ClearSDN data center on the Internet and your ClearOS installation. This offers a consistent check on the available bandwidth and provides a report to the IT admin.

Many DSL and cable broadband connections use dynamic IP addresses or cryptic hostnames like CPE0000C0F9AFEB.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com -- not particularly convenient! Once you activate your system, you can map a permanent domain name to your ClearOS system's changing IP address.

A static IP address can be difficult or expensive to obtain and configure. Dynamic DNS makes it simple to download and install ClearOS without assigning a static IP address to every installation.

Every ClearOS installation pings the ClearSDN network for updates from within its IP network. Regardless of dynamic IP addresses or difficult URLs, ClearSDN maintains a map to each ClearOS installation that can be used to route user access, software updates and ClearSDN services.

Internet Domain/DNS Services are critical to operating a secure and reliable IT environment. Services includes standard domain management as well as DNS record management across locations within the domain. DNS Services will also allow simple point and click configuration of cloud based services like Google Apps, Microsoft Hosted Exchange and more.

A domain is the primary address method for Internet and email traffic for your organization. Domain/DNS Services offer everything you need to maintain service. Dynamic DNS allows workers to move between offices, cloud based applications and networks and still use their same login information - a tremendous benefit to regional offices and distributed networks. With Mail/MX Backup, no mail is lost during upgrades or changes to your ClearOS system.

Internet Domain/DNS Service includes several functions critical domain management. Dynamic DNS maintains a list of authorized users across environments so that any application on the domain can authorize login from anywhere in the network. This is especially valuable when employees can use the same login for cloud based applications such as Google Apps or Microsoft Hosted Exchange. Mail/MX Backup maintains the routing information for your domain mail. As mail passes through the routing point, the router IP confirms the delivery to the destination. If the confirmation is not received, the mail is archived until the mail server comes back online. This is a valuable system if Internet service is interrupted, a server goes down or is off-line for maintenance or upgrade.

ClearSDN Subscriptions determine your access to ClearOS software updates, ClearSDN services and ClearCare technical support. Three levels of ClearSDN Subscriptions are available - Free, Standard, and Premium.

ClearSDN Free provides software updates from ClearFoundation and a server configuration backup by ClearSDN. If you're only using a few features and don't need technical support or ClearSDN content subscriptions (like content filter or intrusion protection updates), ClearSDN Free is the way to go.

ClearSDN Standard is an upgrade from ClearSDN Free but also allows access to ClearSDN content updates, subscription services and ClearCare technical support. In addition, software updates from ClearFoundation undergo an additional level of quality assurance before being released to the field.