NetMAX Newsletter - April 2005

1. [New!] NetMAX Desktop
2. [New!] NetMAX Demo in Detroit
3. [Tips and Tricks] Closing Down Spam Relays
4. [General] Let's Hear From You

1. NetMAX DeskTOP

The NetMAX Team has been working on something new that's very different from our previous offerings, and in May you will be able to get it for free! We call it the NetMAX Desktop project.

NetMAX DeskTOP is a live-CD distribution of Linux based on NetMAX Server O/S that includes best of breed applications such as kernel 2.6.11.5, OpenOffice.org, Blender, GAIM, Gnome 2.8, Dia, gtkam, Azureus bittorrent client, Firefox 1.0, Thunderbird 1.0, Totem multimedia player, XINE multimedia player, Wine compatibility layer, hotplug hardware detection and OpenVPN SSL VPN. Basically, you get a fully-functional desktop system without licensing fees... and it's designed to be intuitive enough for non-computer experts to use!

You'll be able to download the fully-functional CD for free, or you can order one at minimal cost from the NetMAX Store if you prefer to be sent one instead. The NetMAX Desktop is open to everyone, and we hope to see contributions and suggestions from you.

Note that this is an open source project, and does not replace or supplant the NetMAX product line. In fact, if you have NetMAX servers, your NetMAX Desktop CD will automatically detect this and configure itself appropriately!

The NetMAX DeskTOP is coming in May -- watch the project website for the forthcoming release details:

http://www.netmax.org

2. NetMAX Demo in Detroit

On May 14th, 2005, the NetMAX Team will be visiting the Metro Detroit Linux Users Group to present the new NetMAX DeskTOP. The group meetings are held in the Roseville Theatre, just a couple minutes northeast of Detroit, Michigan.

Further information on the group meeting, as well as directions to the site if you wish to attend, can be found on the Metro Detroit Linux Users Group's website:

http://www.mdlug.org/

3. Closing Down Spam Relays

It kind of goes without saying, but noone likes spam. However, it is the responsibility of every Internet resident to help prevent the propogation of it.

In particular, administrators of mail servers need to ensure that their systems cannot be used as conduits for the distribution of this foul refuse.

One of the biggest sources of this waste comes from mail servers which are improperly configured and can be used to relay spam messages, thereby making it difficult to track the "real" source of the problem.

NetMAX products take several preventative measures to prevent the system from being an open relay. However, like most software, NetMAX will do what the administrator tells it to.

To prevent your system from being an open relay, verify and possibly correct the following settings:

For each domain listed under HOME|Network|Domains ensure that the netmask is set properly. For most folks this means that the netmask is /24 or higher. Choosing a number smaller than this (such as /16) is generally not the right thing to do. The higher the netmask number, the lower the number of machines allowed to relay through the mail server, thus the less likely that your machine will be used to relay messages by a spammer.

Also under HOME|Services|Mail->Route, ensure that there as few entries as possible specified under Networks Allowed To Relay Email Through This NetMAX Server. For any entries that MUST be present, ensure that they are sufficiently qualified.

By following the rules presented above, you can do your part to ensure that you are not part of the problem.

4. Let's Hear From You!

We would very much like to hear from you -- especially about how you use NetMAX and Linux in your business, and how we can make NetMAX better suited to your needs. Contribute your input to the NetMAX Forum at:

www.netmax.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/ikonboard.cgi

or to our general NetMAX contact form at:

www.netmax.com/partners/contacts.html

Let us know about your likes, dislikes, and general comments. We are especially interested in the type of additions to NetMAX that you would like to see as we continue to develop the NetMAX line.

Thank you!