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WinGate VPN allows users to
connect individual computers or entire networks together as if they were on the same Local
Area Network (LAN). The WinGate VPN securely encrypts all private data sent over the
public network to prevent interception. All data is protected with twofish 128-bit private
key encryption, and the widely accepted SSL standard is used to negotiate VPN connections.
WinGate VPN fully supports the establishment and use of VPNs over NAT based connections
and includes a firewall that protects the VPN gateway from Internet-based attacks.
Additionally, WinGate VPN is fast, easy to configure, and features real time activity
monitoring showing all current VPN participants.
[Learn more at
the WinGate VPN website]
With the VisNetic AntiVirus
Plug-in installed on the WinGate server, all computers utilizing WinGate for Internet
sharing benefit from potent antivirus protection powered by Kaspersky Labs. When used in
conjunction with WinGate, VisNetic AntiVirus protects all Internet protocols (WWW, POP3,
SMTP, FTP, etc.) at the Internet gateway, ensuring complete antivirus protection for
valuable electronic assets. In addition, any servers (VisNetic MailServer, VisNetic
WebSite, etc.) running behind WinGate will also benefit from the same antivirus security,
providing a network wide safeguard from virus attacks.
[Learn more about the VisNetic
AntiVirus Plug-in for Wingate]
Your email needs are now met in
the familiar and cost-effective Internet sharing solution you trust. WinGate now includes
a fully functional POP3/SMTP server that supports multiple domains, aliases and other
features necessary for hosting email. This feature extends WinGate's functionality to
allow you to process email traffic on your network. Additionally, with the VisNetic
AntiVirus Plug-in installed on the WinGate server computer, all email traffic on the
network is protected at the email gateway, without the hassle of installing on each
workstation.
GateFilter Plug-in contains technology
based upon a proprietary ACR (artificial content recognition) process, which scans the
content of websites using intelligent algorithms allowing the software to
"decide" whether the subject matter is appropriate prior to displaying it.
Businesses providing Internet connectivity in their workplace need the ability to enforce
their company policies with regard to appropriate use of company resources. GateFilter
provides companies with a tool that can assist them to ensure that appropriate content
remains accessible while inappropriate content is blocked.
Transparent Redirect adds a level
of security and control by providing the stability of proxy level connections and the
security of NAT (Network Address Translation). WinGate client computers connecting through
the WinGate Internet Client (WGIC) software or Network Address Translation (NAT) can use
the Transparent Redirect feature to extend the functionality of these client connection
methods by communicating over the proxy layer, and benefit from the WinGate plug-ins,
VisNetic AntiVirus and GateFilter, without having to configure or adjust network or
application settings.
Due to WinGate's architecture, all
computers using WinGate for Internet sharing are impenetrable from the Internet.
Additionally, the WinGate server is protected by a built-in firewall that blocks incoming
hack attempts. The WinGate firewall controls all packets that are allowed through or
denied by the server, securing the entire network from the main entry point. Real time
status reporting is included in the WinGate firewall. The WinGate Administrator may
monitor the activity of the firewall as it displays aspects of an unsuccessful attack,
such as: time, source IP, source Port, destination IP, destination Port, protocol and
virus information.
No manual configurations are
required. Simply install WinGate on the designated server (this can be any PC on the
network!) and the entire network can utilize one Internet account. WinGate contains
technology to simplify the requirements for Internet sharing and limit configuration;
these technologies include a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server, a DNS
(Domain Name System) server and NAT (Network Address Translation).
Extended Network Support (ENS),
included within the WinGate server software, enables NAT, Bridging and Firewall
protection. Network Address Translation (NAT) allows users to connect through WinGate
without the need for any special client applications or configurations on the client
computer(s). NAT also enables users to share an Internet connection on a mixed operating
system network (i.e. Macintosh, Unix or Linux). Bridging allows computers with different
networking technologies, such as wireless and Ethernet, to communicate as if they were
using the same technologies in order for users to share drives, files and other resources.
Firewall protection through ENS expands the existing internal network firewall features by
protecting the WinGate server computer.
Bridging allows straightforward
integration of different network types. For example, you can simply add a wireless device
(or an entire wireless network) to your existing hard-wired network to share resources and
a single Internet connection.
Remote Administration permits anyone
with access rights to control or configure the WinGate server from any computer that can
reach the Internet. Administrators are able to configure WinGate and the server settings
without having to be at the WinGate server computer.
WinGate utilizes the accounts
that are already established within Windows NT or Windows 2000. This seamless integration
with the NT User Database allows the administrator to avoid duplication of efforts by
recreating accounts that already exist on the network. Users on each workstation are able
to login to WinGate simultaneously with their standard network login, avoiding multiple
login prompts.
WinGate supports any Internet
connection type including dialup modem, cable modem, ISDN, DSL (ADSL, XDSL), satellite, T1
and T3. All versions of WinGate will share the available bandwidth and Internet resources
of the connection provided, allowing WinGate to scale to the needs of the user without
purchasing or downloading new software.
Also called Black Lists, this feature
gives administrators the ability to restrict user access to specific content through
WinGate. Content that can be filtered includes websites, applications, and protocols. For
example, the WinGate server can block not only defined URLs (e.g. websites), but also
applications accessing the Internet through the server such as chat programs, like ICQ.
Establishing Rules empowers
administrators to control Internet access on the entire network, such as allocating time
parameters for the Dialer or time restrictions for Internet usage, etc. The ability to
designate rights per user or group further customizes WinGate to meet administrative
requirements.
NAT is an advanced technology
allowing transparent Internet connection sharing through a single server for the entire
network, without jeopardizing security. NAT provides the easiest setup when compared to a
traditional proxy server because it does not require the installation of software on each
workstation or manual configuration of the settings in Internet applications (such as
browsers, email clients, etc.).
The WGIC provides an
alternative to manual proxy server settings without the limitations that NAT (Network
Address Translation) imposes on some Internet applications. WGIC is a simple client
installation for each computer on the network. The WGIC, in conjunction with the Gateway
Discovery Protocol (GDP) and the Winsock Redirect Protocol (WRP), provide communication
between all of the clients through the WinGate server.
WinGate was the first
Windows-based proxy server, introduced to the market in 1995. Through its development,
WinGate has evolved into a complete Internet sharing solution supporting all proxy
services such as WWW, FTP, SMTP, POP3, and Socks. Because of the ability to produce manual
settings and specific protocol support, proxies offer flexibility and fully adjustable
services to accommodate the needs of any network.
With ENS enabled, WinGate
allows the redirection of traffic to Internet servers, such as web servers, mail servers,
and game servers. Port redirection permits access to visitors while safely housing the
server within the secure network.
Dial on Demand permits either the
workstations on the WinGate network or the WinGate server to initiate an Internet
connection by simply placing an Internet request. For example, if a workstation requests a
website through its browser, the request will prompt the WinGate server to obtain the
information. If the WinGate server is not currently online, the Dial on Demand feature
will prompt the server to connect to the Internet.
The ability to authenticate and
monitor users with Internet privileges is a concern for most small offices and enterprise
businesses. WinGate assists administrators in controlling the entire network using
policies and authentication. Through any connection method (Proxy settings, WinGate
Internet Client, and NAT), user authentication works to enforce company policies to ensure
acceptable Internet use.
The RTSP (Real Time Streaming
Protocol) proxy support in WinGate allows streaming audio and video applications. Because
RTSP proxy manages the data transfer across the UDP sockets more efficiently than a NAT,
users should see increased performance with RealPlayer™, QuickTime™, and Windows
Media Player through proxy settings.
The Custom DNS Resolver provides
external DNS resolution and allows service of local names. Local workstations named on a
network will resolve to the appropriate IP Address through WinGate, instead of relying on
Microsoft's DNS service.
Data traffic levels through WinGate are
illustrated in a graphical Traffic Monitor. Each interface (internal NIC, dial-up adapter,
etc.) provides a separate report to assist in bandwidth utilization reviews.
With integrated DHCP (Dynamic
Host Configuration Protocol) and DNS (Domain Name System) servers, WinGate ensures simple
network configuration of client computers. DHCP automatically assigns individual network
IP addresses to each workstation, without address conflicts, while the DNS server resolves
given IP addresses to the common name of each workstation. Plus, DHCP and DNS servers
properly route Internet requests by returning the appropriate information, such as a
website, to the workstation that initiated the request from the WinGate server. This
combination of technologies ensures that network setup is simple, with minimal
configuration.
WinGate supports Dial on Demand
from any computer on the network utilizing AOL as its Internet Service Provider (ISP). A
WinGate network can fully utilize any of the AOL supported software, such as browsers and
email clients, from logon to logoff.
WinGate supports VPN solutions
that use the required VPN language, PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol), allowing a
workstation on the WinGate network to access an external VPN server while still being
protected by the WinGate firewall.
WinGate can connect via NAT
through any private gateway or router (often required by ISPs). This multi-tiered
connection has been labeled "cascading" because the request is funneled through
various levels to fulfill the Internet request of the originating workstation.
This feature displays the status of
the WinGate engine (e.g. connecting to the Internet, connected to the Internet,
disconnected from the Internet). The WGIC Dialup Monitor (also called WinGate Engine
Monitor) appears in the system tray of each workstation on the network.
This service creates a proxy to
control incoming and outgoing email through the WinGate server and onto the network,
including email aliases, filtering, and SPAM blocking.
This feature provides a
comprehensive look at each user on the WinGate network. Rules can be set for a single user
or a group of users. The database also supports password authentication for users, and
extensive logging and auditing capabilities.
For networks that do not utilize the
NT user database, WinGate will import and/or export a user database into GateKeeper,
directly from text files such as Word and Notepad. This feature eliminates the need to
recreate a user database even if the existing database is stored in a text file.
Additionally, this feature ensures that network rebuilding can be easily accomplished
through a simple export to a small text file, without the need to re-enter users manually.
Using Client Authentication,
the user on each workstation is prompted to login to the WinGate server prior to accessing
the Internet. This action allows the network administrator to verify the user on each
workstation and establish and enforce rules, per user. The ability to set Rules gives
control to the administrator to better manage the network.
The Scheduler automates routine
operations within WinGate, such as scheduled Dial on Demand commands, back-up log files to
storage directories, etc.
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Current verion of
Wingate is 5.0