From: "Russ Foster" <russ@smoothwall.org>
To: <russ@smoothwall.org>
Subject: SmoothWall 0.9.8 is released and available for download 
Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 14:49:51 +0100


SmoothWall 0.9.8 is released:
 
Europe's fastest growing Open Source product now contains features on a par
with proprietary security solutions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Version 0.9.8 of SmoothWall - Britain's most successful Open Source project
to date, has been released. The latest version of the acclaimed security
device software attacks the traditional marketplace of the SoHO and SME
security marketplace at a price that gives it a major advantage - it is
available for free download under the GNU General Public Licence.

SmoothWall already has over 300,000 users in 21 countries and has become a
phenomenon that is taking PC networks by storm. SmoothWall allows PC users
in home, SoHO and office environments to build a web managed, secure
internet router that provides a totally secured network internet
connection. SmoothWall 0.9.8 includes features only normally seen in router
hardware products and software firewall packages that can cost up to
several thousand pounds.

SmoothWall 0.9.8 adds to the four previously released versions of the
product by including automatic probing and set-up for popular ISDN devices,
multiple Ethernet devices (also allowing the router to be used for website
hosting, and other situations where a demilitarised zone is required),
IPSEC Virtual Private Network (VPN) capabilities, and support for ADSL and
Cable users.

Managed via an intelligent SmartWeb web interface, SmoothWall has extended
the ability of IT managers and administrators to deploy secure network
connectivity in offices, schools, colleges, and telecommuting environments
alike. Now with the additional multi-Ethernet and ADSL support, adoption of
this already popular product is likely to increase significantly.

High level of network security

Richard Morrell, founder and co-author of Smoothwall and technical director
for Scorpio Network Technologies, said of the new release, "This is a major
step forward for companies large and small for whom the acquisition of a
security solution represents a grey area where they would potentially buy a
hardware solution that brings with it a high cost of ownership including
maintenance and installation charges via a reseller. SmoothWall has
attacked the market-share of the competition and 0.9.8 will continue from
where previous releases have left off by adding more functionality and by
removing competitive advantage from commercial products with a high
associated price tag".

SmoothWall continues to make major strides in the traditional security
application marketplace as it offers major advantages to businesses,
including an extremely high level of network security and product
functionality that would normally account for much of the IT budget draw.

SmoothWall is also extending its solutions into the Internet Service
Provider (ISP) marketplace across Europe by offering a themed "SoHO portal"
solution for secure business networking. This will enable business ADSL and
ISDN users to take advantage of BT BusinessHighway and Openworld support in
the UK. Unfortunately USB ADSL support does not feature in SmoothWall at
present as Alcatel's licence for the drivers is not fully Open
Sourced. "Alcatel have released drivers under a licence agreement that is
currently against the spirit of the Open Source community" said Morrell "We
had been waiting for these drivers for several months and until the source
code and licence is released in a format where we can legally provide
support for this important emerging marketplace, then USB ADSL users will
find themselves unable to harness the power of SmoothWall, which we feel is
a great shame".

In the coming months, the SmoothWall development team will be expanding the
functionality of SmoothWall even further to produce SmoothWall
Enterprise. SmoothWall Enterprise will be distributed as an out of the box
software solution aimed at the larger corporate enterprise networks. The
product will provide a low cost alternative whilst still offering the same
level of functionality as current solutions available within this sector.

SmoothWall now available for download

SmoothWall is now available for free download under the GNU General Public
Licence from the SmoothWall website - http://www.smoothwall.org/dyn/get/download.html
- and its worldwide network of mirrors. Over the coming weeks, SmoothWall
will be made available in boxed form and distributed through resellers in
the UK and across Europe. SmoothWall is built on a hardened Linux
distribution and has featured in over 180,000 articles on the Internet
since its release in late July 2000.

SmoothWall 0.9.8 is released supporting English, French, German and Dutch
users. Spanish and Italian versions of SmoothWall will be available in the
coming weeks and months.

http://www.smoothwall.org

Requests for CD ISO images for cover CDs to be made to russ@smoothwall.org

Further press information can be found on our website, together with
background information on the development team, product documentation and
other data.


SmoothWall is a division of Scorpio Network Technologies Ltd
Open House, Thames Court, Richfield Avenue, Reading, RG1 8EQ
Telephone: +44 (0) 118 956 6116 Facsimile: +44 (0) 118 956 6110