Jan, 2002 : Sun Cobalt Qube Targets Home Networks, Small Businesses

📅 January 29, 2002 - Sun Microsystems, Inc. (sun.com) yesterday announced the newSun Cobalt Qube 3 server appliance targeted at home networks and smallbusinesses or remote branch offices. The Sun Cobalt Qube 3 server applianceextends secure Internet and intranet services to consumers and power users,enabling home offices and small businesses to host their own Web sites, setup e-mail systems, network home or office PCs, and protect their computingenvironments from Internet threats.

The "plug-and-play" networking solution includes all of the tools andapplications needed to leverage always-on Internet connections andWeb-enable a home network or small business environment. "The advancedfeatures and additions to the new Sun Cobalt Qube 3 server appliance providecustomers of all levels of expertise a robust solution for meeting theirnetworking needs," said Vivek Mehra, vice president and general manager ofSun Cobalt server appliances at Sun Microsystems. "The new Sun Cobalt Qube 3appliance can be used for sharing files, resources, or documents across anetwork or for hosting a company's e-mail, launching a Web site, or servingas a secure gateway to the World Wide Web."
To ensure protection against Internet security risks such as viruses,hackers, and privacy threats, the Sun Cobalt Qube 3 server applianceincludes a built-in firewall as well as virtual private networking support.With support for both IPsec and Microsoft PPTP VPN services, the Sun CobaltQube 3 server appliance enables work-at-home employees or professionals atremote sites to securely access the corporate network from virtually anyWindows PC. While the Sun Cobalt Qube 3 server appliance provides thecapabilities of more complex general-purpose servers, its browser- basedGUI, pre-installed and pre-configured applications, configurable networkservices, and support for technologies such as Windows Domain Controllerstreamline administration, management, and use, says the company.Multi-level administration capabilities further ease management, while theinclusion of Sun BlueLinQ technology automatically keeps the applianceupdated with security patches and other software.
Administrators can view the status of each appliance and push softwareupdates to any Sun Cobalt Qube 3 server appliance from the Sun CobaltControl Station. In addition, auto-provisioning enables a service provideror corporate headquarters to deliver and install custom-built applicationsautomatically to other Sun Cobalt Qube 3 server appliances via the Internet.
The appliance also offers port forwarding, which maps ports and redirectsnetwork traffic and enables the network to grow with additional servers. Inaddition, the Sun Cobalt Qube 3 server appliance supports seven languagessimultaneously, automatically detecting the preferred configuration anddisplaying the appropriate language using an intuitive Web-based interface.
The Sun Cobalt Qube 3 server appliance is available now through SunMicrosystems and its existing worldwide sales channels starting at $1149.Trade-in programs also are available. The Sun Cobalt Qube 3 server applianceis available through the Sun Store at store.sun.com , through most majore-tailers, and a network of Sun Resellers. The software upgrade is free toexisting Sun Cobalt Qube 3 server appliance customers over the Internet andalso is available as a CD-ROM for shipping and material costs.