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Review
Created:
January, 2000
NetMAX
FileServer with
Print Sharing for Linux
By Terry Fong, Cyberwalker
Media Syndicate
Print and file servers are computers that allow various clients
to access files and other devices over a network. Linux has
many abilities for print and file serving "out of the box."
However, it would be nice to have the ability to configure and
install all of these various functions in one package. Cybernet
Systems successfully fills this niche with its NetMAX FileServer
with Print Sharing for Linux.
Several installation methods are available, including console
and remote. Remote install allows the NetMAX Fileserver installation
to be done from another station on the same network, or potentially
over the Internet. The procedure is also used for repair and
recovery of installations. Console install, the method tested,
is the traditional method of sitting in front of the computer
where you're making the installation.
Installation was mostly painless, but not uneventful. An older
ISA network interface card -- a common NE2000 clone -- was not
detected, despite being listed as one that was supported. Adding
it later, using the instructions outlined in the manual, was
not much of a problem, however.
An attempt to re-install demonstrated another problem: the software
rejected the serial number. One way around this was to do a
clean install. A patch that deals with this issue, untested
for this review, is available on the NetMAX Web site.
Configuring the NetMAX Fileserver software can be done using
any Web browser with Javascript and cookies enabled. This allows
configuration to be done remotely, using a special TCP/IP port.
Changes are selected and stored, to be later committed, allowing
the administrator to verify any changes. Changes are checked,
with rules violations reported in red. When committing, a "Check"
option further inspects the changes for any possible problems,
allowing action to be taken before finalization.
Linux comes with the ability to set up a RAID (Redundant Array
of Inexpensive Disks). RAID allows multiple hard drives to be
used as one drive, and can increase speed and reliability. Creating
one is simply a matter of choosing the type of RAID, space to
allocate or use and drives or partitions to use. After creation,
a RAID drive is simply another disk volume to be allocated.
Windows support is seamless. Clients from both Windows NT 4.0
and Windows 98 systems were able to use disk volumes on a NetMAX
machine as if they were part of the same workgroup.
NetMAX Fileserver support for the Macintosh is included, as
long as one does not attempt to use RAID partitions. Using a
Macintosh, it did not prove possible to write to any folder
based on a RAID volume. Additionally, any changes made to the
file server, no matter how trivial, causes Macintoshes to disconnect
from the server, forcing users to log on again.
Physical documentation comes in the form of two manuals -- an
Installation Manual and a User's Guide. Like most software products
produced today, the physical documents are a subset of the online
help. The manuals are reasonably complete in describing functions
and activities. But although the online help includes a search
function, it only searches topic headings, not the full text
of a topic.
A serious security issue is that all network administrators
have the right to enable, disable or change the root password.
This became apparent while reactivating the root user while
trying to deal with a hardware issue.
NetMAX Fileserver is built on top of an older version of Linux
-- Redhat 5.2. A newer version, based upon Redhat 6.1, will
be sent to registered users in mid-January 2000.
Reviewer's rating: 4 / 5
Comments: This is a good choice of file server for small
offices or for anyone on a limited budget. It's also a good
choice if you don't have solid Linux experience.
Price: $99 US / $140 Canadian. Also included as part of
NetMax Professional ($495 US retail / $700 Canadian)
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Adding RAM is easy, 
