Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Giant firewall runs Linux
Oct. 30, 2007

Crossbeam Systems has started shipping a massive chassis-style, "unified threat management" (UTM) system based on an open Linux OS. The X-Series UTM server runs the company's Linux-based "XOS" OS, and targets highly scalable firewalls and other security applications for large data centers and service providers.

Spread the word:
digg this story
The X-Series UTM competes with high-end UTM systems such as Juniper Networks's SSG, but is more open, thanks to a Linux-based OS, Crossbeam says. The company's "XOS" Linux implementation is claimed capable of "seamlessly" unifying the resources of up to 100 separate processing cores spread out over up to 14 blades, enabling admins to tune available resources for optimal processing of specific individual traffic streams.

There appear to be three X-Series models, including a half-size 7-slot X45 model, a full 14-slot X40 model, and a 14-slot X80 model with optional 48-volt power supply (typical of telecom carrier infrastructure).


Crossbeam X45, X80, and X40 models

Each X-Series chassis can be populated with various mixes of control, data, and application processing blades, in order to achieve the desired performance. The application processing blades can be configured singly or in groups to provide services such as XML transformations, firewalling, content filtering, IDS (intrusion detection), URL filtering, AV (audiovisual) proxy serving, and so on.


Crossbeam Xseries architecture

The X-Series blades include:
  • NPM-8600 -- network processor module based on 64-bit MIPS cores and FPGA-based NPUs (network processor units); said to support up to eight 10Gbps or 40 1Gbps Ethernet interfaces

  • APM-8600 � application processor module based on Intel Xeon processors

  • CPM-8600 � control processor module based on Intel Xeon processors, with support for dual SATA drives in a RAID configuration
The X-Series devices are managed via a web browser interface served up by the control module. The interface offers a "virtual representation" of the system, as shown in the screenshot below.


Crossbeam XSeries control interface

XOS is described as a "hardened" version of Linux that can run from disk or flash. It appears to use a proprietary IPC (interprocess communications) protocol called "X-Stream" (no pun intended, we're sure). There's also some kind of virtualization layer aimed at abstracting applications, interfaces, and networks.

According to Crossbeam, the 8600 enables huge costs savings from consolidating smaller content security farms. It also enables data centers to seamlessly integrate combinations of Layer 2 transparent and Layer 3 proxied or terminating applications, helping to simplify troubleshooting and reduce "appliance sprawl." Its RAID-mirrored on-board storage and separately switched high-speed control plane are ideal, says Crossbeam, for content and other Web-based applications that need both local- and off-box network storage. Latency as low as fifty microseconds is touted as adequte for VoIP application processing. The company boasts support for "all major network security categories," including firewalls, VPNs, content filtering, and Web application protection software such as malware scanning.

Marketing VP Throop Wilder stated, "Crossbeam continues to provide the only open, enterprise-class security platform."

Availability

The 8600 X-Series is available immediately. Pricing was not disclosed.



Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• Multi-core networking stack ported to PowerPC
• Major Mono rev ships
• ETX module targets military apps
• Linux netbook return rates higher?
• Italian carrier ships Linux MID
• 5-second Linux boots on low-powered hardware
• MontaVista "Summit" concludes
• Freescale to jettison cellular chip business
• Open-source server appliance is "free"
• MontaVista Linux drives Dell's quick-boot feature
• "Virtual platform" targets Linux device developers
• Mobile Linux platform supports Cortex-A8 SoC
• Linux design targets 802.11n-enabled homes
• Virtualization design targets wireless base stations
• Linux virtualization tech tapped for telematics


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• Google rev's photo editor for Linux
• Major Mono rev ships
• Intrepid Ibex beta-tests
• Linux netbook returns higher?
• Open-source image editing project launches
• Linux Foundation launches end-user conference
• GNOME 2.24 gains "Empathy" IM
• gOS 3.0 goes gold
• Linux Foundation courts individual members
• Netbook version of Mandriva thinks small


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.