Mirapoint beefs up Net servers
The start-up updates its Internet e-mail servers, powerful computers that are targeted at Internet service providers, with new software and better security.
The new operating software for Mirapoint's M100 and M1000 servers boosts security features with support for Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Kerberos, adds additional Internet standards support, and better administration, the company said.
The two servers are integrated with application-specific software and industry-standard hardware, which the company refers to as a thin-server model. The servers are designed to handle corporate and ISP-grade workloads, including inbound and outbound email traffic, email delivery, and spam-protected email client access functions.
Although Mirapoint is a relatively new player in the ISP Internet messaging server market, International Data Corporation analyst Mark Levitt said the company offers a unique package by supplying customers with a thin server that can be customized to their specific needs.
However, "the company is still new to the market and still needs to prove it can offer scalability like Software.com's InterMail server," said Levitt.
By adding Kerberos support, Mirapoint's new operating software prevents passwords from being sent in clear text and ensures that passwords are stored on a separate Kerberos server which authenticates the user.
These new security options supplement Mirapoint's existing spam control and content and system security capabilities. Mirapoint already provides content security through its support for PGP and S/MIME protocols.
With new LDAP support, Mirapoint's Internet e-mail servers can be deployed in environments where LDAP is the primary means of authenticating users when they log-in and access their e-mail, the company said.
LDAP also makes it easier to integrate Mirapoint servers with corporate accounting systems as well as service providers' billing and provisioning systems.
Shipping immediately, the base list price for Mirapoint's M100 server starts at $16,600, and the base list price for the M1000 starts at $29,100.