WinGate Feature List

 

Available seperately or as an optional extra in WinGate proxy server, WinGate VPN allows users to connect individual computers or entire networks together as if they were on the same Local Area Network (LAN). The WinGate VPN securely encrypts all private data sent over the public network to prevent interception. All data is protected with twofish 128-bit private key encryption, and the widely accepted SSL standard is used to negotiate VPN connections. WinGate VPN fully supports the establishment and use of VPNs over NAT based connections and includes a firewall that protects the VPN gateway from Internet-based attacks. Additionally, WinGate VPN is fast, easy to configure, and features real time activity monitoring showing all current VPN participants.
[Learn more about the features of WinGate VPN]
 

 

With the AntiVirus plug-in installed on the WinGate server, all computers utilizing WinGate for Internet sharing benefit from potent antivirus protection powered by Kaspersky Labs. When used in conjunction with WinGate, Kaspersky AntiVirus protects most Internet protocols (WWW, POP3, SMTP, FTP, etc.) at the Internet gateway, ensuring complete antivirus protection for valuable electronic assets. In addition, any servers utilizing these protocols behind WinGate will also benefit from the same antivirus security, providing a network wide safeguard from virus attacks.
[Learn more about AntiVirus for Wingate]
 

 

Your email needs are now met in the familiar and cost-effective Internet sharing solution you trust. WinGate now includes a POP3 SMTP server that supports multiple domains, aliases and other features necessary for hosting email. This feature extends WinGate's functionality to allow you to process email traffic internally on your network. Additionally, with the Kaspersky AntiVirus Plug-in installed on the WinGate server computer, all email traffic on the network is protected at the email gateway, without the hassle of installing on each workstation.
 

 

PureSight is an optional Plug-in available for WinGate 5.0 that contains technology based upon a proprietary ACR (artificial content recognition) process, which scans the content of websites using intelligent algorithms allowing the software to "decide" whether the subject matter is appropriate prior to displaying it. Businesses providing Internet connectivity in their workplace need the ability to enforce their company policies with regard to appropriate use of company resources. PureSight for WinGate provides companies with a tool that can assist them to ensure that appropriate content remains accessible while inappropriate content is blocked. [Learn more about PureSight for WinGate]
 

 

Transparent Redirect adds a level of security and control by providing the stability of proxy level connections and the security of NAT (Network Address Translation). WinGate client computers connecting through the WinGate Internet Client (WGIC) software or Network Address Translation (NAT) can use the Transparent Redirect feature to extend the functionality of these client connection methods by communicating over the proxy layer, and benefit from the WinGate plug-ins, VisNetic AntiVirus and GateFilter, without having to configure or adjust network or application settings.
[Learn more about Transparent Redirection]
 

 

Due to WinGate's architecture, all computers using WinGate for Internet sharing are impenetrable from the Internet. Additionally, the WinGate server is protected by a built-in firewall that blocks incoming hack attempts. The WinGate firewall controls all packets that are allowed through or denied by the server, securing the entire network from the main entry point. Real time status reporting is included in the WinGate firewall. The WinGate Administrator may monitor the activity of the firewall as it displays aspects of an unsuccessful attack, such as: time, source IP, source Port, destination IP, destination Port, protocol and virus information.
 

 

No manual configurations are required. Simply install WinGate on the designated server (this can be any PC on the network) and the entire network can utilize one Internet account. WinGate contains technology to simplify the requirements for Internet sharing and limit configuration; these technologies include a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server, a DNS (Domain Name System) server and NAT (Network Address Translation).
 

 

Extended Network Support (ENS), included within the WinGate server software, enables NAT, Bridging and Firewall protection. Network Address Translation (NAT) allows users to connect through WinGate without the need for any special client applications or configurations on the client computer(s). NAT also enables users to share an Internet connection on a mixed operating system network (i.e. Macintosh, Unix or Linux). Bridging allows computers with different networking technologies, such as wireless and Ethernet, to communicate as if they were using the same technologies in order for users to share drives, files and other resources. Firewall protection through ENS expands the existing internal network firewall features by protecting the WinGate server computer.
 

 

Bridging allows straightforward integration of different network types. For example, you can simply add a wireless device (or an entire wireless network) to your existing hard-wired network to share resources and a single Internet connection.
 

 

Remote Administration (Available in Pro Only)
Remote Administration permits anyone with access rights to control or configure the WinGate server from any computer that can reach the Internet. Administrators are able to configure WinGate and the server settings without having to be at the WinGate server computer.
 

 

WinGate utilizes the accounts that are already established within Windows NT or Windows 2000. This seamless integration with the NT User Database allows the administrator to avoid duplication of efforts by recreating accounts that already exist on the network. Users on each workstation are able to login to WinGate simultaneously with their standard network login, avoiding multiple login prompts.
 

 

WinGate supports any Internet connection type including dialup modem, cable modem, ISDN, DSL (ADSL, XDSL), satellite, T1 and T3. All versions of WinGate will share the available bandwidth and Internet resources of the connection provided, allowing WinGate to scale to the needs of the user without purchasing or downloading new software.
 

 

Also called Black Lists, this feature gives administrators the ability to restrict user access to specific content through WinGate. Content that can be filtered includes websites, applications, and protocols. For example, the WinGate server can block not only defined URLs (e.g. websites), but also applications accessing the Internet through the server such as chat programs, like ICQ.
 

 

Establishing Rules empowers administrators to control Internet access on the entire network, such as allocating time parameters for the Dialer or time restrictions for Internet usage, etc. The ability to designate rights per user or group further customizes WinGate to meet administrative requirements.
 

 

NAT is an advanced technology allowing transparent Internet connection sharing through a single server for the entire network, without jeopardizing security. NAT provides the easiest setup when compared to a traditional proxy server because it does not require the installation of software on each workstation or manual configuration of the settings in Internet applications (such as browsers, email clients, etc.).
 

 

The WGIC provides an alternative to manual proxy server settings without the limitations that NAT (Network Address Translation) imposes on some Internet applications. WGIC is a simple client installation for each computer on the network. The WGIC, in conjunction with the Gateway Discovery Protocol (GDP) and the Winsock Redirect Protocol (WRP), provide communication between all of the clients through the WinGate server.
 

 

WinGate was the first Windows-based proxy server, introduced to the market in 1995. Through its development, WinGate has evolved into a complete Internet sharing solution supporting all proxy services such as WWW proxy, FTP Proxy, SMTP proxy, POP3 proxy, and Socks. Because of the ability to produce manual settings and specific protocol support, proxies offer flexibility and fully adjustable services to accommodate the needs of any network.
 

 

With ENS enabled, WinGate allows the redirection of traffic to Internet servers, such as web servers, mail servers, and game servers. Port redirection permits access to visitors while safely housing the server within the secure network. With or without the proxy servers, ENS makes internet connection simple.
 

 

Dial on Demand permits either the workstations on the WinGate network or the WinGate server to initiate an Internet connection by simply placing an Internet request. For example, if a workstation requests a website through its browser, the request will prompt the WinGate Internet connection proxy server to obtain the information. If the WinGate server is not currently online, the Dial on Demand feature will prompt the server to connect to the Internet.
 

 

The ability to authenticate and monitor users with Internet privileges is a concern for most small offices and enterprise businesses. WinGate assists administrators in controlling the entire network using policies and authentication. Through any client connection method (Proxy settings, WinGate Internet Client, and NAT), user authentication works to enforce company policies to ensure acceptable Internet use.
 

 

The RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) proxy support in WinGate allows streaming audio and video applications. Because RTSP proxy manages the data transfer across the UDP sockets more efficiently than a NAT, users should see increased performance with RealPlayer™, QuickTime™, and Windows Media Player through proxy settings.
 

 

The Custom DNS Resolver provides external DNS resolution for clients and allows for the servicing of local names. Local workstations named on a network will resolve to the appropriate IP Address through WinGate, instead of relying on Microsoft's DNS service.
 

 

Data traffic levels through WinGate are illustrated in a graphical Traffic Monitor. Each interface (internal NIC, dial-up adapter, etc.) provides a separate report to assist in bandwidth utilization reviews.
 

 

With integrated DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) and DNS (Domain Name System) server components, WinGate ensures simple network configuration of client computers. DHCP can be set to automatically assign individual network IP addresses to each workstation, without address conflicts. With the ability to configure Ip address scopes and options, WinGate's DHCP server provides an inexpensive IP address solution, usually only found with OS level software. The DNS server component properly routes Internet requests by returning the appropriate information, such as a website, to the workstation that initiated the request from the WinGate server. This combination of technologies ensures that network setup is simple, with minimal configuration.
 

 

WinGate supports Dial on Demand from any computer on the network utilizing AOL as its Internet Service Provider (ISP). A WinGate network can fully utilize any of the AOL supported software, such as browsers and email clients, from logon to logoff.
 

 

WinGate supports VPN solutions that use the required VPN language, PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol), allowing a workstation on the WinGate network to access an external VPN server while still being protected by the WinGate firewall.

 

WinGate can connect via NAT through any private gateway or router (often required by ISPs). This multi-tiered connection has been labeled "cascading" because the request is funneled through various levels to fulfill the Internet request of the originating workstation.
 

 

This feature displays the status of the WinGate engine (e.g. connecting to the Internet, connected to the Internet, disconnected from the Internet). The WGIC Dialup Monitor (also called WinGate Engine Monitor) appears in the system tray of each workstation on the network reassuring clients that their workstations have connectivity with the WinGate Server.
 

 

This service creates a proxy to control incoming and outgoing email through the WinGate server and onto the network, including email aliases, filtering, and SPAM blocking.
 

 

This feature provides a comprehensive look at each user on the WinGate network. Rules can be set for a single user or a group of users. The database also supports password authentication for users, and extensive logging and auditing capabilities.
 

 

For networks that do not utilize the NT user database, WinGate will import and/or export a user database into GateKeeper, directly from text files such as Word and Notepad. This feature eliminates the need to recreate a user database even if the existing database is stored in a text file. Additionally, this feature ensures that network rebuilding can be easily accomplished through a simple export to a small text file, without the need to re-enter users manually.
 

 

Using Client Authentication, the user on each workstation is prompted to login to the WinGate server prior to accessing the Internet. This action allows the network administrator to verify the user on each workstation and establish and enforce rules, per user, per proxy. The ability to set Rules gives control to the administrator to allow for better management of the network.
 

 

The Scheduler automates routine operations within WinGate, such as scheduled Dial on Demand commands, back-up log files to storage directories, etc allowing administrators to configure these with an easy to use interface.