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The world of server management is always evolving, and with that comes new and improved features for administrators. Bicom Systems’ SERVERware 4.4 comes with plenty of new features that can make the life of a server administrator much easier. In this article, we will take a look at what’s new in SERVERware 4.4.
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In today’s digital age, it is essential for VoIP service providers to ensure a secure connection between end users and their VoIP solution/PBXs, and to protect their servers from SIP brute-force attacks. To help with this task, we’re introducing a new and improved sipPROT feature that comes with several enhancements to make your network more secure:
One of the most significant additions to sipPROT is the GeoIP blocking feature. This feature allows you to block or allow IP addresses based on their geographical location. This means that you can restrict access to your network from specific countries, for example, to prevent attacks from known malicious countries. This feature is easy to use and administrators can quickly configure GeoIP blocking with a few clicks.
The new enhancements in sipPROT make it easier for administrators to manage and debug issues related to sipPROT-blocked IPs. With the GeoIP blocking and API for Geo IP lookups, you can quickly identify any IP addresses that may be causing problems and take appropriate action. This makes it easier to maintain a secure network and respond to security threats quickly and efficiently.
SERVERware’s built-in Authoritative DNS with NAT support is a game-changer for businesses looking for a reliable and flexible DNS solution. With this feature, you can easily assign a domain name or subdomain to your SERVERware cluster, and it will resolve the IP address of your VPS by its name, providing seamless access to your customers.
But what happens when you deploy a standard Network Address Translation (NAT) setup? In such a setup, a one-to-one NAT is utilized, meaning that for each VPS private IP, a public IP address is assigned. This is where the newly added option to set the external IP address comes into play.
With the external IP address option, you can now add information about the public IP addresses of your VPSs. And for each external A record request from the public network, the SERVERware DNS will respond with a record containing the external IP. This feature is especially useful for geo-redundant setups where the DNS NAPTR and SRV records are used to move VPSs around.
Another benefit of the external IP address option is that it is available for the GRS-enabled VPS, ensuring that the VPS’s functionality is not affected during a takeover.
In today’s world of cyber threats, it’s critical to ensure the safety and privacy of sensitive information exchanged between users and websites or between two systems. This is where Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) comes into play, using encryption algorithms to scramble data in transit, thereby preventing hackers from accessing it.
To help you manage SSL certificates on SERVERware Web Console, we’ve introduced a new page with all the details you need. From this page, you can upload a certificate manually, generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR), and even obtain and update an SSL certificate via the Automatic Certificate Management Environment (ACME) protocol.
Generating a CSR is a straightforward process that requires you to send the issuing Certificate Authority (CA) your public key and provide relevant information about the requester. SERVERware Web Console makes it easy for you to do this from the GUI. Simply select a domain and generate the CSR and select a private key for the domain to use for the purchase of an SSL certificate.
If you prefer to use an SSL certificate from a provider other than the self-signed one that is the default, you can easily upload the .PEM file and (optionally) the private key to SERVERware Web Console. Once you press “Upload,” the system will automatically switch to the newly added certificate.
The administrator can obtain a free SSL certificate with just a few clicks by providing a domain and an email. The certificate will be installed automatically on a SERVERware instance. This feature saves time and makes it easier to maintain SERVERware SSL certificates.
We’ve also extended our automated SSL certificate installation to support CAs that require External Account Binding (EAB) for registering ACME accounts (ZeroSSL, Google Trust Services, etc.).
In situations where a SERVERware instance is not publicly available or a wildcard domain is needed (*.example.org), you can still obtain a certificate using the DNS challenge. This can be accomplished with a manual DNS setup or by using SERVERware CoreDNS functionality.
If the private key of a certificate is compromised, you have the ability to revoke it. This option is available only if the certificate was generated from Let’s Encrypt, ZeroSSL, and other similar free providers via the automated activation method. After a revocation, SERVERware will switch to a self-signed certificate unless you choose to keep the current certificate.
If you need to renew an active SSL certificate, it’s possible to start the process manually. This option is only available if the certificate was generated from Let’s Encrypt, ZeroSSL, and other similar free providers via the automated activation method. The administrator will also receive a persistent notification banner 7 days before the certificate’s expiration date.
In conclusion, SSL is essential for securing sensitive information exchanged between users and websites or between two systems. With SERVERware Web Console, managing SSL certificates is easy and straightforward, allowing you to maximize your web security with just a few clicks.
As the world of technology advances, the need for a robust monitoring system becomes increasingly crucial. To address this need, SERVERware has introduced a new Audit log, which provides essential details about the actions performed in the system. The Audit log is accessible under the Reports sub-menu and is a valuable tool for SERVERware administrators and support personnel in troubleshooting or analyzing SERVERware activities.
The real value of the Audit log lies in its ability to improve diagnostics and decision-making. The log is directly connected to the dashboard’s recent activity widget, which allows quick inspection and reaction when expanded. This feature can be a game-changer for administrators who need to quickly resolve any issues that may arise.
SERVERware 4.4 introduced several new features aimed at enhancing monitoring and improving backup management. BSSUP Session Recording has been added to record SSH access and sessions with all executed commands and output. The backup management process has been made easier with the introduction of the ‘Remove VPS Backups’ option for keeping backup servers clean and organized. The restore process for deleted VPSs has been redesigned and now offers a dropdown list of restore points. Additionally, the backup and restore management has been improved with the ability to sort the list by VPS name and dataset size. These new features aim to simplify the monitoring and management process for SERVERware administrators and support personnel.
SERVERware 4.4 version also resolves many bug fixes to provide a more stable and efficient experience. With the introduction of new features aimed at enhancing monitoring and improving backup management, as well as the resolution of various bugs, this update is a significant step forward in the overall performance and reliability of the SERVERware platform.
For any questions or concerns regarding the SERVERware 4.4 update, our partners are encouraged to contact us for further support. The release notes for SERVERware 4.4 can be downloaded from the Bicom Systems website for a detailed explanation of the new features and bug fixes included in this release.
Multiple interesting deployments of infrastructure and software from around the world this week: … [visit site to read more]
Infinera has been busy on multiple subsea route lately, with three interesting announcements so far this week. … [visit site to read more]
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, event and product updates posted on Developing Telecoms.
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In another move that takes the company beyond its more familiar territories in and around New York City, Lightpath has unveiled an enhanced long-haul network. They are now offering waves and Ethernet between eight major US cities in addition to their core metro capabilities. … [visit site to read more]
An Indian industry grouping has suggested that most telecom towers still need fiberisation, a vast number still need to be deployed and that recent amended Right of Way (RoW) rules are not being met by some Indian states.
According to TR Dua, Director-General of the Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), in order to meet the growing demand for large bandwidth and ultra-low latency that 5G implies, 65 per cent of telecom towers still need to be fiberised and another 1,200,000 towers need to be deployed by the 2023-24 financial year.
For infrastructure deployment to facilitate 5G services in the country various other requirements need to be met, DIPA suggests, including Right of Way facilitation, access to street furniture (particularly for small cells), fibre and backhaul deployment and high densification of infrastructure.
As we reported at the time, in 2022 RoW application procedures for small cells were simplified as a response to the likelihood that 5G would require many more small cells and much more use of street furniture. The government also introduced a centralised RoW portal that offers a single interface for ISPs, mobile operators and infrastructure providers to apply for RoW approvals for installing infrastructure.
According to India’s Economic Times, however, only a few states, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Sikkim, Tripura, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Assam and Ladakh, have aligned their state policy with the Indian Telegraph Right of Way – Amendment Rules, 2022.
That said, notwithstanding DIPA’s concerns, both Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel seem to be forging ahead with 5G rollout – for now.
Three expanded partnerships and another high speed upgrade from around the world: … [visit site to read more]
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We recently shared a few of the “Lesser-known Benefits of Partnering with Bicom Systems” and today we have two more ways that Bicom Systems allows you to take back the control of your business, your solution, and your customers.
In speaking with incoming partners, we have heard that some vendors ask for information about your end users and then target them directly. This does not align with a reseller model that focuses on partnership and integrity.
Reclaim the control of your business and customers with a white label platform. Bicom Systems gives partners a fully developed and supported platform with zero branding, so you can take it to market as your own. You control: pricing, marketing, and customers. We are happy to support you in every step, but will not ask for any customer details or advertise ourselves through branded solutions. (Learn more in our blog post The Benefits of a White Label Provider.)
As a committed participant in the reseller channel, Bicom Systems would never attempt to sell directly to your customers. Also to that purpose, we never publish prices on our website – so as not to compromise your ability to earn a higher margin. (Learn more in our blog post Why We Don’t Publish Our Prices.)
The bottom line is that Bicom Systems is partner-centric with a strong focus on integrity and mutual trust. As we always say, your success is our success.
The future is in the Cloud, there is no doubt about it. But we recognize that not every business or organization is prepared to make the move yet, if at all.
Small on-site call centers, for example, may prefer an on-site PBX that gives them complete control over their servers and data. Organizations with sensitive data may be compelled by law to keep everything in-house. Large enterprises may have the budget to invest up front and hire a dedicated IT team to do all of the work themselves.
Whatever the situation may be, we want the choice to be yours, not restricted by the deployment models you have (or don’t have) available. Stop turning away or losing customers that need a traditional solution. PBXware is available in both hosted and on-site environments. Learn more on our Deployment page.
And let’s not forget about the opportunity that comes with having on-site customers. You can gently market your hosted solution to your own customer base, offering a slow and flexible transition phase if that’s what the customers needs. Let’s bring customers on board rather than turning them away.
Who is holding the reins to your business and your future – yourself or your provider? Bicom Systems prefers to give all control to our partners, cheering you on from behind the curtain. If this appeals to you, contact us today so we can start a conversation.
