Embedded Web Servers

Dave Piscitello, Core Competence, Inc.

Lisa Phifer, Core Competence, Inc.
David Strom, David Strom, Inc.
 Our backgrounds
We write about and test products for a living.

We consult for some of the vendors involved.

 What is an embedded web
server?
 Software-only
– QNX, Spyglass
 Hardware for managing and
configuring something else
– routers, switches, hubs, printers
 Hardware for deploying Intranet
services
– what we’ll demonstrate today
What is an Intranet appliance?
 Systems that
– support HTTP, HTML
– serve up files for browser-enabled clients
– and more!
 and are used to
– host a corporate, workgroup, or small
business web site, establishing its identity
– provide Internet access and LAN services
to corporation, workgroup, small biz, K12
 Kinds of appliances
 Shared disk, filesystem web server
 No-frills web server
– basic HTML/HTTP
 Advanced web server
– CGI, Java support, web-enabled
discussion groups, eCommerce, etc.
 Multi-server appliances
– web and file server plus email, router,
DNS, DHCP, web cache, firewall, gateway
 Products demonstrated
 Cisco Micro Webserver 200
– http://www.cisco.com
 Microtest WebZerver
– http://www.zerver.com
 Cobalt Microserver Qube 2700WG
– http://www.cobaltmicro.com
 Apexx TEAM Internet
– http:// www.apexxtech.com
 Possible applications
 Small business Extranet
 SOHO/ROBO Intranet server
 Discussion Forum server
 Workgroup file/CD ROM sharing
 Firewall/Router for Internet access
 Remote access router
 Office email server
 Extranet
 Our Design Goals for
Appliances
 Plug and play
– Attach power, connect to Ethernet and go!
 User interface
– Should be simple, not overly constrained
 Access controls for users and groups
 Configuration, management via browser
 Pre-installed web content, utilities, scripts
– Easy integration of these into published site
 General State of Appliances
 Almost plug and play
 User interfaces somewhat limited
 Setup of users and groups is tedious
– Not well integrated with NOS access controls
 Not ready for certain extranet
applications
– No SSL, PKI, eCommerce support
 Not for high-performance web serving
– Expect to support ~50 users, <T1 access
 What features do you need?
Ask yourself, ask your vendor:
 Types of network attachment?
 How extensible is the web server?
 DHCP, DNS, Mail servers included?
 Type of built-in OS, web server software?
 How many different ways to upload files?
 What other tools are bundled with the box?
 Are design, content templates included?
 Feature comparison
Feature Cisco Micro Microtest Apexx Tech Cobalt Qube
Webserver200 WebZerver TEAM Internet 2700WG
Price $1595 $1595 $1695-3195 $1249+
File upload FTP FTP, FTP, FTP,
methods SMB SMB SMB,
Print driver AppleShare
10/100 Ethernet 10 only Both Option 10 only
CGI/Java Yes No No Yes
Telnet mgmt Yes No Yes Yes
Web extras Java-based NetObjects Site Claris Search engine,
configuration creator, HomePage Lite HTML editor
Search engine,
WS_FTP
Others Features External SCSI, Digital Paper DNS server, DNS server,
CGI libraries Viewer, Mail server, Mail server,
Discussion Firewall, Discussion
Threads Cache, Threads
 Appliances: Pros
 Simplicity over NT & UNIX servers,
– esp. for organizations with little or
no OS admin expertise
 Reduced total cost of ownership
 Can lock down web site easier than with
general purpose computing platform server
 Appliances: Cons
 Can’t find and manage on corporate net
– not issue for those that support
SMB/CIFS/AppleShare
 May need more than browser to manage
– telnet, proprietary wizards,
 Difficult to apply uniform user and group
access controls across both appliances
and NOS systems
 How scalable is CPU, storage, network?
 My favorite appliance
Lisa: TEAMInternet
Why: “I want a one-box-does-it-all
turn-key solution for small biz LANs.”
Dave P: Cobalt
Why: “I want DNS, web and mail in an
appliance behind my own firewall, router.”
David S: Zerver
Why: “I want the easiest web publishing
appliance available."