Network pass thru networking cards

[mozerd]

The WebHawk UTM appliance has a interesting feature:

WebHawk appliances come standard with network pass thru networking cards. If your WebHawk ceases to operate for any reason the network card will automatically pass through all network traffic to your devices. This ensures WebHawk will not be a point of failure in your network.

I am not aware of how this is done with Untangle -- anyone care to provide some insight?

[dwasserman]

Its hardware.

[mozerd]

The WebHawk appliance is hardware that relies on the OS -- in this case Debian [unbranded Untangle] -- if the appliance fails then which part of the OS is driving the NIC?

[proactivens]

we've been doing the same thing for months. We call it passive failover.
http://untangleappliances.com/index....280cf176f082af

The network card detects if the kernel has a fault through an API built into untangle since 7.2. It also will bridge the internal and external ports if the power fails or if there is a hardware failure that brings the appliance down.

The webhawk appliance is a super micro server with a fail open network card installed. Thats all it is.

[mozerd]

Thank You. How does one turn on this feature in Untangle or is it automatically implemented if the NIC has the fail over capability?

[proactivens]

its implemented on install if the card is detected.

[rockbochs]

Here is a link to the press release from Interface Masters: http://www.untangle.com/About-Us/Unt...rewall-Gateway

[mozerd]

Here is a link to the press release from Interface Masters: http://www.untangle.com/About-Us/Unt...rewall-Gateway

Thank you. Is my assumption correct that this Bypass Fail Safe solution incorporated by Untangle is proprietary to the network cards made by Interface Masters?

[Big D]

Neat stuff but they hide the price of this card incredibly well. How much is the Niagara 32265, roughly?

Or other similar concept internal bridge/pass thru cards.

[mrunkel]

I believe Interface Masters only sells to resellers, but I'm not sure about that.

Yes, the code in the Untangle only works with the Interface Masters card at present. We're looking into adding support for a similar card from Silicom in 7.5.