RED is in limited BETA now and will be available soon for all to purchase. You can find out more about Astaro RED here.

More 7.504 details are available by reading on...

Also new are the support for hosting of a Proxy PAC file, and another for privacy - the ability to remove some HTTP events completely from logging (and subsequently reporting). Rounding out the new things are an Uplink monitor/action feature and wildcard SMTP routing support. There are also dozens of bugfixes, tweaks, and stability changes.

Official Details:
Link: ftp://ftp.astaro.de/pub/ASG/v7/up2date/u2d-sys-7.504.tgz.gpg
Size : 177.662.729 bytes
Md5sum: 670c1eb0996b3f38d79f0a9ca66d8364

Remarks:
- Configuration will be upgraded
- Your system will be rebooted
-*IMPORTANT* - RED devices will perform a firmware upgrade after first connect
For testers of RED: Your device will perform a firmware upgrade (blinking LEDs) - do not power off the RED unit while upgrading, or you can corrupt the flash!

New:
- Added WebAdmin support for RED devices
- Added Internet connection monitoring
- Added HTTP Proxy PAC file hosting
- Added HTTP Proxy exception options for SSL and logging
- Added option to skip HTTP Proxy checks based on categories
- Added option to configure HTTP Proxy authentication realm

Bugfixes:
Fix [11235]: "ICMP Fragmentation needed" packets are not handled correctly when using Multipath
Fix [11420]: Cannot log archive to windows share when windows password contains a percent sign (%).
Fix [11425]: Classic base licenses no longer allows basic SMTP usage
Fix [11453]: Virus pattern updates may conflict with HTTP Proxy
Fix [11531]: You must specify a route target (internal server) error message on SMTP profile systems
Fix [11660]: Directory listing for FTP folder over HTTP proxy is empty
Fix [11760]: Reporting Exceptions missing from AWG and AMG Appliances
Fix [11807]: MIME blocking inspects HTTP body not working
Fix [11837]: Prefetch of an AD user fails if the mail address is case-sensitive
Fix [11871]: IPS logging can cause root partition fillup
Fix [11987]: Can't dissolve bridge or remove bridge ports
Fix [12176]: PPTP routing is broken if PPTP pool is part of the internal network
Fix [12338]: Snort SID link in IPS notifications is invalid
Fix [12466]: HTTP Proxy may not recognize new eDir users logging in
Fix [12596]: AMG/AWG backup import to ASG not possible

For the new things in ASG 7.5 you can view the Release Notes here.

Astaro Up2Date technology makes it easy to upgrade your installed Astaro Security Gateway to the latest version.
There are two ways to apply an Up2Date package to the system:
1) Log on to WebAdmin, navigate to Management >> Up2Date >> Overview and use Update to latest version now to install the Firmware Up2Date. Click on the "Watch Up2Date Progress in new window" and an extra browser window will show the progress of the Up2Date installation. (The System administrator will receive a notification email once the Up2Date process has finished.)
2) Download the Up2Date package from our HTTP or FTP Server and install it under Management >> Up2Date >> Advanced:

Astaro AxG Up2Date Download Mirrors:
- Astaro US
- Astaro US2
- Astaro Germany
- Astaro Germany2

Feedback
- If you want to provide feedback or want to discuss any of the AxG V7 features you should post it on our User Bulletin Board. Please take care to add always(!) the version you refer to (e.g. "[7.502] Real Time Bandwidth Monitor ").
- If you have feedback to our documentation (Online Help) please send it to docu@astaro.com.
- There is also a demo server to try: http://demo.astaro.com
(All Up2Dates are GNUPG-signed!)

Remarks:
- Configuration will not be upgraded
- Middleware will be restarted
- Existing connections will be reestablished

News:
- This package addresses a licensing issue only

Bugfix:
[ID12695] HTTP Proxy content filter does not work properly with new license model

For the new things in ASG 7.5 you can view the Release Notes here.

Astaro Up2Date technology makes it easy to upgrade your installed Astaro Security Gateway to the latest version.
There are two ways to apply an Up2Date package to the system:
1) Log on to WebAdmin, navigate to Management >> Up2Date >> Overview and use Update to latest version now to install the Firmware Up2Date. Click on the "Watch Up2Date Progress in new window" and an extra browser window will show the progress of the Up2Date installation. (The System administrator will receive a notification email once the Up2Date process has finished.)
2) Download the Up2Date package from our HTTP or FTP Server and install it under Management >> Up2Date >> Advanced:

Astaro AxG Up2Date Download Mirrors:
- Astaro US
- Astaro US2
- Astaro Germany
- Astaro Germany2

Feedback
- If you want to provide feedback or want to discuss any of the AxG V7 features you should post it on our User Bulletin Board. Please take care to add always(!) the version you refer to (e.g. "[7.502] Real Time Bandwidth Monitor ").
- If you have feedback to our documentation (Online Help) please send it to docu@astaro.com.
- There is also a demo server to try: http://demo.astaro.com
(All Up2Dates are GNUPG-signed!)

Windows 7 Support
Full support is provided for the new Microsoft operating system Windows 7 from version 9.2 onwards. In general the following Windows desktop operating systems are now supported:
* Windows XP (32/64 Bit)
* Windows Vista (32/64 Bit)
* Windows 7 (32/64 Bit)

Additionally, the Secure Client supports the new Intel Wi-Fi drivers, starting from version 12.4.0.21, and it is compatible to the mobile broadband support in Windows 7.

Important notes:
* Installation of the Astaro Secure Client under Windows 7 demands a license key of version 9.20.
* In case of an update from Windows Vista to Windows 7, the monitor of a Client version 9.2 , licensed with a license key 9.1, can only be started in order to enter a license key of version 9.2.
* All other new features as described below can also be used with a 9.1 license key under Windows XP and Windows Vista
*The support for Windows 2000 has been discontinued, starting with Astaro Secure Client version 9.2.

Wi-Fi-Roaming
If the laptop is moved within the range of several access points with the same SSID, the system automatically switches to an access point with higher field strength in the case of low Wi-Fi reception. Applications communicating via this VPN tunnel are usually not affected by the change of access point. This allows the user to move across the corporate campus (e.g. with a laptop), without the need to set up new Wi-Fi connections.

State Display during Wi-Fi Scans and Connection Set Up
If "Wi-Fi" is activated, a periodical scan for Wi-Fi networks is run. During scanning the respective icon is animated. Connection set up to an access point is displayed with a blinking yellow ball on the left hand side of the selected SSID of the Wi-Fi network. A green ball indicates the established connection to a Wi-Fi access point. If several Wi-Fi access points use the same SSID, a small red triangle is displayed next to the SSID.

Wi-Fi GUI with Tray Icon
If "Wi-Fi" has been activated, the affiliated tray icon appears in the taskbar. This icon shows the current connection state, the field strength and the mode of encryption. Clicking on the tray icon, all available Wi-Fi networks are displayed. Selecting one of the Wi-Fi networks either starts connection set up or the Wi-Fi profile wizard, if no Wi-Fi profile has been configured for this Wi-Fi network. The Wi-Fi profile wizard shortens profile configuration and automates connection set up to a new Wi-Fi network. The encryption mode (WEP, WPA...) is now automatically detected.

Tip of the day
With each start of the monitor, a new tip of the day (title) appears next to the corporate logo. Clicking on the tip title opens the affiliated HTML page in the default browser explaining the complete topic. The order of the tips is set in the daytips_en.ini within the installation directory \tips.
The tips can also be hidden via the view menu of the Client Monitor.

Profile Export and Import
The profile settings offer the feature to export the selected profile and to import it to another client.
Through this feature the same VPN profile can be easily transferred from one computer to another. Certificates, however, have to be imported separately.

Revised 3G Configuration
In the profile settings, a new parameter folder has been introduced for the communication medium GPRS / 3G.
Three modes of 3G configuration are available:
* Provider list (default setting): By selecting the provider, the APN and the dial-up number is being suggested.
* APN from SIM card: The APN is read out of the SIM card. (This only works if an APN is configured on the SIM card.)
* User-defined: The user is free to configure all dial-up parameters manually.
The provider list can be expanded via the file APN.ini in the installation directory.

Budget Manager History for the Previous Twelve Months
The "Budget Manager History" in the connection menu item records and displays either as tabulation or as chart the data volume over a maximum time span of the previous twelve months (provided line management is activated).

Vodafone Web Sessions Support
After setting up a VPN tunnel by clicking on "Connect", the user can log on to Vodafone web sessions and establish a VPN tunnel.

Integration of the Firewall State in the Windows Security Center / Action Center
The Windows Security Center/ Action Center display the availability of the ASC firewall. Since Microsoft has not yet implemented the affiliated API for Windows 7, this service is not available for Windows 7 at the moment

Additional feature and installation information as well as the most current documentation can be found on the Astaro Knowledgebase at http://www.astaro.com/kb/ under Section Astaro Secure Client - Manuals and Guides.

How to update your client software
There are two ways for updating your client:

1)
Start the Astaro Secure Client Monitor on your desktop. On the menu select "Help -> Search for New Updates". Click "Next" on the upcoming "Software Update Wizard" window. The client will now automatically search for new updates. If a newer version is found, you can click on the "Next" button to start the automatic installation immediately.

2)
Use MyAstaro to download the new client software from our HTTP or FTP Server.
When installing the new software an already existing version will be recognized and updated accordingly.

How to upgrade your license
If you have upgraded your system to Windows 7 you need to upgrade your ASC license to a V9.2 license by purchasing a one-time update license, which allows updating of an existing license by one or two releases.
When purchasing the license you'll receive an activation key which must be applied to your existing license within MyAstaro. You'll then be offered a new file for download including the key that needs to be entered into your client.

Free License Upgrade
If you have purchased your existing ASC Version 9.1x license after May 1st 2009 and activated the license after 1st July 2009 (or if the license key has not been used yet) you will receive a new version 9.2 license free of charge by following these steps:

- Download the new Astaro Security Client software version from http://www.astaro.com/download/asc and install it on your PC. Alternatively you may upgrade your client directly via the "Help / Search for Updates" menu point within your current ASC client monitor.
- Reboot your PC.
- After starting the Astaro Secure Client Monitor, you will be notified that a V9.2 license is required. Click "OK".
- The window "License Data" will appear. Click on "Activation".
- Select "Online-Activation" and click on "Next".
- You will see a form presenting the license key. Click on "Next".
- If you are not connected to the internet yet, please connect now. Click on „Next".
- The Astaro Secure Client will now connect to the activations server and will retrieve a new activation key.

For more information please visit our website.

Your Product Management Team

Release Notes and a new 2.1 Demo server are also available.

Read on for the links and additional notes.

Images/Up2Date information
ACC Software ISO: (For use on your own Hardware)
URL:ftp://ftp.astaro.de/pub/ACC/v2/software_appliance/iso/acc-2.100-091127-2.iso
Size: 528M (553,324,544 bytes)
MD5sum: c6c7b8aa754cfe9e9b3d9dd22d7925b4
------------------

ACC VMware ESX3:(For use in commercial VMware environments)
URL:ftp://ftp.astaro.de/pub/ACC/v2/virtual_appliance/acc-2.100-ESX-v3.zip
MD5sum: a8bf1531ae966f79d551282a7d0afddb
Size: 1.13GB (1,215,546,591 bytes)
-----------------

ACC VMware Player:(For use in by the casual VMware user)
URL:ftp://ftp.astaro.de/pub/ACC/v2/virtual_appliance/acc-2.100-vmware.zip
MD5sum: 284239a3d7b1dbc8dd492917753f0e91
Size: 1.10GB (1,181,297,856 bytes)
-------------------

Up2Date Package:(For Version 2.000 to Version 2.100)
URL:ftp://ftp.astaro.de/pub/ACC/v2/up2date/u2d-sys-2.100.tgz.gpg"
MD5sum: 097a33c385a1fd9b384b09b43e37664d
Size: 291MB (304,640,462 bytes)
---------------------

ACC U2D (2.070-100):(For users of the BETA 2.070 to Version 2.100)
URL:ftp://ftp.astaro.de/pub/ACC/v2/beta/u2d-sys-2.070-100.tgz.gpg
Size: 43MB (44,622,440 bytes)
MD5sum: 5dd4d9c778616bcd2dc34546058f3498
---------------------

If you want to provide feedback or discuss any of the V2.1 features, please post it on our User Bulletin Board for ACC. Please take care to always add the version you are referring to (e.g. "[2.1] Global Objects Push...").

For feedback on our documentation (Online Help) please send it to docu@astaro.com.
There is also a demo server which runs the latest version of ACC at: http://accdemo.astaro.com

Regards,

- Your Astaro Product Management Team

Astaro Command Center will remain a free product, however users will now be able generate and use a personalized key for their ACC installation. This is in contrast to the common key which was shared by all users in the past. The existing "free" ACC license key will expire at the end of 2009, and we will take this opportunity to provide both new and existing users with their own key.

To obtain your new ACC license key, please visit this page and fill out the registration form, at which point an activation key will be sent to you for use in the myastaro.com portal.

Note that every installation of the Astaro Command Center comes fully licensed for 30 days by default. The existing common key used in the past (which was obtained from our web site) will be shortly removed and replaced with a link to this posting.

Enjoy Astaro Command Center 2.1!

Release Schedule At the end of next week, we will have a full release of ACC 2.1 via an Up2Date push to installed locations, along with full installation ISO's images and VMware images for download.

This is one of our most exciting releases yet, and Astaro Command Center remains free of charge as a software or virtual appliance, and running on various official Astaro appliances for a nominal hardware fee. Read on for the full details!

You will find a brand new Global Definitions feature, allowing Network and Service objects to be defined within ACC and then pushed to multiple Astaro installations instantly. The administrator can push, update, revoke and work with the in dozens of ways, even sharing objects between separated companies managed by the same ACC installation.

We have a new Organizational Unit structure which allows the same ACC installation to manage different companies using multiple devices each, all with different levels of administrators and their employees. We then took the time to add in a new central reporting and aggregation section, so you can see lots of detailed information about surfing, network usage (and over 20 other reports!) and even combine reports from multiple devices together to view aggregated results and totals.

For those that like to have their realm graphically displayed, the ACC Worldmap has had new features and visuals added so you can see all your devices around the globe on an interactive map in real-time.

Astaro Command Center 2.1 Features
Organizational Unit Structure
-Encapsulate devices and objects (Such as customer-specific containers)
-Gives Partners many options for client and device management
-Elevates the multi-client capabilities of ACC to new heights with almost limitless combination's
-Improves overview, scalability and eases ACL handling

Global Definitions Capability
-Make once, use many approach
-Centrally manage and roll-out Network and Service Definitions
-Automatic re-synchronization of deployed definitions when updated
-Merge existing local definitions with their new central counterparts
-Use "shared" Global Definitions on devices in separate Organizations

Device-based Reporting
-At-a-glance graphical reporting of daily hardware (resource), network and security status
-Historical reporting of weekly, monthly and yearly time-frames
-Capability for zooming-in, comparing and sorting of reporting graphs
-Eliminates having to visit devices manually to view reports

Aggregated Reporting
-Generate reports of combined data from any desired number of devices
-Choose from pre-defined time frames or define a custom duration
-Print reports, drill-down to precise details, and use sorting and comparison features
-Create reports per managed organization or other flexible criteria such as by region
-Covers Accounting, Network Security, Web Security and Mail Security aspects
-More than 20+ reports are currently/already available, with more planned for the future!

Licensing
-Astaro Command Center remains a FREE product
-Personalized ACC keys will be made available next week

Requirements
* The new features in ACC V2.1 require an Astaro Installation at 7.501+

Download
This new release is being made available initially as an Up2date package from Stable Version 2.000 or Beta Version 2.070, which must be manually loaded into WebAdmin. ISO's, Virtual Machine Images, and an Up2Date via our Content Distribution Network will be released next week.

------------------------------
ACC Up2Date from Stable 2.000 --> Version 2.100:
URL: ftp://ftp.astaro.de/pub/ACC/v2/up2date/u2d-sys-2.100.tgz.gpg
Size: 291M (304.640.462 bytes)
Md5sum: 097a33c385a1fd9b384b09b43e37664d

------------------------------
ACC Up2Date from BETA 2.070 --> Version 2.100:
URL: ftp://ftp.astaro.de/pub/ACC/v2/beta/u2d-sys-2.070-100.tgz.gpg
Size: 43M (44.622.440 bytes)
Md5sum: 5dd4d9c778616bcd2dc34546058f3498

Astaro ACC Download Mirrors:
*Note* These may take some time to synchronize.
- Astaro US
- Astaro US2
- Astaro Germany
- Astaro Germany2

If you want to provide feedback or want to discuss any of the ACC V2.1 features you should post it on our User Bulletin Board. Please take care to always(!) add the version you refer to (e.g. "[2.1] Global Objects Push...").
If you have feedback to our documentation (Online Help) please send it to docu@astaro.com.
There is also a demo server which will run ACC Version 2.1 shortly: http://accdemo.astaro.com

Regards,

- Your Astaro Product Management Team

For this release, numbered ACC Beta 2.070, we have both an Up2Date for existing V2.060 installations and a full 2.070 ISO image.

For our users of ACC who did not want to re-install in order to use the new ACC 2.1 BETA features like aggregated device reporting, new central objects support, and improved role management, we also have an Up2Date package for moving from our production ACC V2 to BETA V2.070.

Read on for details and download links!

Changes:
- Usability enhancements for new Aggregated Reporting feature
- Bug fixes based on UBB feedback and Internal QA testing
- Updated online-help(s) and manual(s) for both Gateway Manager and WebAdmin GUI
- Updated Installer and Kernel

Download Information
-----------------------------
>ACC ISO (Software Appliance on your own X86 Hardware):
------------------------------
URL: ftp://ftp.astaro.de/pub/ACC/v2.1/beta/acc-2.070-091119-1.iso
Size: 534M (558.931.968 bytes)
MD5sum: c91bda9e7e22df9d7dbc1c49c0c8ed82

ACC Up2Date (2.000-2.070 for users of the existing production ACC version):
---------------------
URL: ftp://ftp.astaro.de/pub/ACC/v2.1/beta/u2d-sys-2.000-070.tgz.gpg
Size: 287M (300.767.414 bytes)
MD5sum: 722d6438ad248f77473f91ae6ae33b19

ACC U2D (2.060-070 for existing BETA testers)
---------------------
URL: ftp://ftp.astaro.de/pub/ACC/v2.1/beta/u2d-sys-2.060-070.tgz.gpg
Size: 111M (116.374.572 bytes)
MD5sum: f70ff6a191eee0d9941dabb15ba18b1d

Feedback
For the original ACC 2.1 Beta announcement, please read here.
Please post all Beta feedback (no matter how big or small) and discuss any of the ACC 2.1 features on our Beta Forum for this Version.
Testing Rewards
Your feedback is important to us. You catch things we might miss. You use the product in ways we might not have considered. And the more eyes we have on a version, the better the chance we are able to identify and resolve something early. It allows us to deliver a final product to you of the highest quality for use in a production network. As a result, participants in our Beta Program for ACC V2.1 will have the chance to win one of three Amazon Gift Cards totaling over 600 dollars. Please qualify by actively posting and participating in discussions on our Beta version forum. At the end of the test, we will award prizes to the top participants.

Regards,

-Your Astaro Product Management Team

Participation in the open BETA program is free for all interested end customers and partners. As a thank you for your active participation we will provide active participants with a free 6 months subscription to the archiving service!

Offload your Mail Server
Regain valuable resources back from your messaging server by reducing the storage occupied by e-mails with a reliable and secure way to transfer them to the hosted archiving service.

Eliminate PST Files
The high risk of data loss and inefficient e-mail management implied by the use of PST files can be solved by eliminating the need for them in the first place and providing the means to consolidate existing PST files into one single corporate archive.

Archive Revision-Safe
In many countries, businesses are obliged to archive e-mails for several years due to legal requirements. Astaro Mail Archiving Service lets you decide what needs to be archived and for how long. Discovery tasks can be fulfilled with special auditor privileges.

Locate E-Mails in Seconds
Astaro Mail Archiving Service provides a new experience to the user because messages can be found in seconds no matter whether the search terms are part of subject, body or attachment of an e-mail.

Whenever it comes to storing data within a hosted environment, data privacy is a crucial point. Therefore, all messages archived during the BETA period are at no point accessible by third parties, are encrypted before storing them in the cloud and are deleted after the trial period.

Start today - register here.

Perhaps quite importantly, ACC is currently a FREE offering from Astaro, and doesn't cost anything to use, even in a commercial environment. So if you haven't yet seen the Astaro Command Center, don't miss out any longer.

Read on for how you can help test, and win some Amazon reward money for your efforts!

ACC is easy, provides great visibility and tools to manage Astaro installations, and has the same look and feel of the AxG product line WebAdmin.
Operational Note - The Astaro Command Center has TWO portals; HTTPS port 4444 is to setup and configure the Command Center itself, while HTTPS port 4422 is where you login to work with your connected Astaro devices.

If you haven't yet experienced ACC, to use this new Version, simply download the ISO image and install it on a dedicated X86 platform of your choice, just like you would with an Astaro Security Gateway software installation. Alternatively, you can load the ISO in your virtualization platform of choice, like VMware ESX. (At a later date, we will also update the ACC offerings with updated, purpose-built VMware images).

ACC V2.050 Details
URL: ftp://ftp.astaro.de/pub/Astaro_Command_Center/v2.1/beta/acc-2.050-091020-2.iso
Size: 524MB (549.011.456 bytes)
Md5sum: 2a6cdc0a95c2681299485d22038fdc9f
*The underlying base system and framework of this release is AxG 7.501.

Major features:
Global definitions/objects support
If you find yourself defining the same things in multiple Astaros, this feature will save you a lot of time. Simply define an object like a Mail Server or other resource once in ACC, and watch it populate to the desired Astaro installations where it can be worked with just like a locally created item. Lots of usefull applications for this one.

Improved Multi-client Support
Since V2 launched, ACC has the ability to create some very specific roles and permissions for users and the connected devices. We have improved this area in many ways, with even more choices in how you configure multiple companies, regions, devices, administrators, and other staff with permissions. ACC is perfect for managing hundreds of devices in a single company, dozens of companies all with a single device, or any profile in between. ACC is used both by single administrators as a throne-room for their operations, or by Partners/MSP's which manage all their separate companies through a single ACC installation. Try it and see what you can do!

Device-based and aggregated reporting
Using this entirely new feature of ACC, connected devices can have their various reports displayed from within ACC. Further, it is possible to select some or all of the devices and view reports as a consolidated total, giving you great insight into multiple installations without having to deal with each site separately.

Other changes
Many usability and monitoring improvements across the ACC GUI.

Bugfixes:
10094 Device name sporadically missing when a new device connects
10179 Tooltip is cropped when browser window is too small
10217 Display date and time of last known device connection
10538 Increase number of available Gateway Manager sessions
11504 Gateway Manager GUI drag-and-drop functionality in Firefox 3.5 not working

Feedback
Please post all Beta feedback (no matter how big or small) and discuss any of the ACC 2.1 features on our Beta Forum for this Version.
Testing Rewards
Your feedback is important to us. You catch things we might miss. You use the product in ways we might not have considered. And the more eyes we have on a version, the better the chance we are able to identify and resolve something early. It allows us to deliver a final product to you of the highest quality for use in a production network. As a result, participants in our Beta Program for ACC V2.1 will have the chance to win one of three Amazon Gift Cards totaling over 600 dollars. Please qualify by actively posting and participating in discussions on our Beta version forum. At the end of the test, we will award prizes to the top participants.

Regards,

-Your Astaro Product Management Team