Subject: New Linux Mail Server
From:  Ali@stalker.com (Ali Liptrot, Stalker Software, Inc.)
Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 12:03:47 -0700
To:  lwn@eklektix.com (lwn@eklektix.com)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stalker Software Announces CommuniGate Pro Server 2.0 Beta

Key features: Multi-platform, industry-strength,
              administration via the Web,
              extensive multi-domain support,
              anti-spam protection,
              unique IMAP multi-mailbox features.

MILL VALLEY, CA - May 22th, 1998 - After the initial beta-testing of the
CommuniGate Pro messaging server, Stalker Software announces the CommuniGate
Pro 2.0 beta, the platform-independent Internet messaging server.

The new generation of the CommuniGate integrated messaging system
unifies the performance of the modern multi-threaded operating systems, the
standards-compliance of the most popular Internet applications, and
flexibility of the modular CommuniGate System initially designed for MacOS.

PLATFORM INDEPENDENCE.

The new version of the CommuniGate Pro is based on the Stalker Foundation
framework and can run under all major operating systems. The first released
versions can run on the Windows 95/98, Windows NT, the Apple Rhapsody DR2,
and the Linux operating systems. The FreeBSD, Sun Solaris and other
versions are to be released later this month. The ability to run on all
these platforms is extremely important for todays heterogeneous networks.

The CommuniGate Pro server can be configured, controlled, and monitored from
any computer connected to the Internet using any Web browser application.
The administrators can monitor the Server status, they can create, update
and modify user accounts, delete and redirect messages in the queues, update
the communication modules settings, and configure the full-featured
CommuniGate Router. Registered users can modify their mailing lists and
auto-response ("vacation") messages, and configure the automatic mail
processing "rules" applied to their accounts.

On all platforms the CommuniGate Pro presents the same interface and uses
the same file formats, allowing any organization to switch server platforms
in less than an hour.

HIGH PERFORMANCE

The CommuniGate Pro design employs many modern OS techniques, especially
multi-threading. Unlike other servers that use one separate thread to
process a message, messages in the CommuniGate Pro are processed with 4-6
threads while on the paths to their destinations. For high-volume sites,
such as mail hosts of large ISPs, this means a huge performance benefit,
especially for multi-processor servers. The CommuniGate Pro server is
completely SMP (symmetric multiprocessing) ready.

STANDARDS-BASED

The CommuniGate Pro is based exclusively on the Internet standards. Unlike
most of the commercial and freeware servers, the CommuniGate Pro SMTP, POP,
IMAP and other modules implement all related Internet RFCs, not just a
selected few.

The SMTP component of the CommuniGate Pro server incorporates all the anti-
spamming features implemented in the other Stalker mail servers, including
centralized DNS-based blacklisting (RBL).

Unlike most of the servers available today, the POP and IMAP components of
the CommuniGate Pro allow for simultaneous access to the same mailboxes.
This feature becomes extremely important as more and more companies switch
to E-mail and their "sales", "support" and other generic mailboxes have to
be processed by several people simultaneously.

FLEXIBILITY

To configure the system for a small office, the administrator should just
create user accounts. On the other hand, in large organizations and ISPs,
the administrator can employ the built-in support for mail routing, multi-
domain and multi-homing, automated mail processing and other advanced
features - all via the easy-to-use Web Interface. Even for the most
sophisticated setups, the CommuniGate Pro administrator is not forced to
learn any arcane configuration language.

As the CommuniGate/MacOS system brought the modular architecture to message
delivery, the CommuniGate Pro brings modularity to the account serving.
Besides the unix-style mailboxes that can be processed with any legacy mail
application, special modules can store messages in data bases, in folder-
type mailboxes, and in other types of "containers". Regular POP and IMAP
mail applications can be used to access all types of CommuniGate Pro
mailboxes.

DIAL-UP SUPPORT

CommuniGate Pro supports dial-up client mail servers with registered
or virtual domains. Client systems with static IP addresses can use SMTP
feeds (RFC1985/ETRN). Client systems with dynamically assigned IP addresses
can be served with Unified Domain-Wide POP Accounts. Besides, the
CommuniGate Pro Server supports an unlimited number of UUCP links.

The CommuniGate Pro Server itself can employ a dial-up link, retrieving mail
from its back-up hosts via SMTP, POP and UUCP protocols.

TROUBLESHOOTING and SUPPORT

Like the other Stalker mail servers, the CommuniGate Pro has a centralized
System Log. All Server components generate Log records of any specified
level of detail, simplifying troubleshooting. The CommuniGate Pro Web
interface provides real-time selective access to the Server Logs.

AVAILABILITY

The CommuniGate Pro server is scheduled for the commercial release in
July'98.

The beta versions of the CommuniGate Pro Server are available now, free of
charge.

They can be downloaded either from the Stalker sites:
<http://www.stalker.com/CommuniGatePro/>;,
<ftp://www.stalker.com//pub/CommuniGatePro/>;,

or from the mirror sites overseas (see <http://www.stalker.com>; for the
list), or from the major public Internet software archives.

The CommuniGate Pro documentation is available in the HTML format. In
addition, each Server Web Interface page has links to the proper
documentation pages on the Stalker Web site.

Technical support for beta-testers is provided via the <
cgatepro@stalker.com> mailing list.

All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective manufacturers.

Since 1991, Stalker Software, Inc. has been a major vendor of networking and
communication software for the MacOS, and now the company expands its
activity to the Windows and Unix markets. The company offices are at 655
Redwood Highway, suite 275, Mill Valley, Calif. 94941. For more information
about Stalker Software and its products, visit the Stalker Software web site
at <http://www.stalker.com>;, or call 1-800-262-4722.

Press contacts: Ali Liptrot, director of sales and marketing,
phone: (415) 383-7164, fax (415) 383-7461, E-mail <ali@stalker.com>.