Release Notes CSG 5.8.0
Collax Security Gateway
01.10.2014
Installation Notes
Update Instructions
To install this update please follow the following steps:
Procedure
- It is highly recommended to backup of all server data with the Collax backup system before proceeding. Check that the backup was successful before proceeding with the update (this can be done within the backup information email).
- In the administration interface go to System → System Operation → Software → System Update and press Get Package List. This will download the listed update packages. If successful the message Done! will be displayed on the screen.
- Click Get Packages to download the update packages.
- Click Install. This installs the update. The end of this process is indicated by the message Done!.
- A new kernel will now be installed. The system will reboot automatically after installing the update. An appropriate note will be shown if the update process is completed.
New in this Version
Security: Linux Kernel 2.6.32.63
This update installs Linux kernel 2.6.32.63.
GUI: New modern Web GUI
The configuration GUI has been restructured to make it even more user friendly and modern. Following the login, the user interface appears with a dashboard that shows key information on the status of the product.
GUI: Dashboard
The dashboard presents the overall status at a glance. In at least three graphical groups, the Collax Server shows analyses of the following information areas. Click one of the fields in order to get further information or configure settings. Jobs shows whether any jobs are currently active in the background. Storage shows the most important data areas along with their fill level. At a glance, the Monitoring section shows whether the services and hardware work correctly. An event log can be accessed with a click for further details.
GUI: Batch Management of the Dialogs
In the state-of-the-art user interface, certain dialogs are managed alongside each other in batches. These batches are displayed in the header bar of the user interface. Using the mouse, the focus can be switched between these batches. The advantage is that frequently-used dialogs can be kept open and are thus immediately available in the administration. You can open a dialogue in a new batch using the middle mouse key.
GUI: Useful Key Combinations
- CTRL + F1: Administrator guide - CTRL + F9: Activate settings immediately - SHIFT + Tab: Switch through dialog batch - CTRL + SHIFT + F: Search - ESC: Close dialog
GUI: Search for forms
You can search for forms left-hand in the menu. The search result will be displayed in a batch dialogue. You will be redirected to the form by klicking the search result.
GUI: Job Notifications
On the system, certain actions are executed in the background. To be able to see the exact status and progress of such background jobs, these are displayed in the administration interface without any delay. The right-upper corner of the Web administration shows whether any jobs are currently active in the background. Several jobs may be started simultaneously. The progress of a job is indicated in percent. Errors are highlighted in color.
GUI: System Information
Collax Server offer extensive possibilities to analyze the entire system. For this purpose, a lot of information is provided: from product information to the graphical presentation of the system load to detailed statistics. Product Information The left-hand side of the menu features some important basic information about the product, the current version, and the license status. Individual lines can be selected and copied with the mouse pointer. Current System Load The System Load section presents a graphical display of the current system load. More comprehensive and detailed statistical graphs can be accessed with a click. Statistics The statistical graphs show the CPU, RAM, hard disk, and network traffic load in the form of continuous performance curves.
GUI: Smart dialog guidance assists
During the configuration of the system, the smart dialog guidance assists you in certain configuration tasks. All needed parameters are queried under consideration of the context, and feedback is provided concerning any additional settings or actions.
GUI: Filter Table Search
You can filter search insied tables now. For example if searching for all users beginning with “a”.
GUI: Validity of certificates
System Management: Monitoring BBU Charge State
The charging state of a battery backup unit of LSI RAID controllers is going to be monitored with this update. If an error occurs the system administrator is notified.
Issues Fixed in this Version
Security: GNU Bash - ShellShock
In the source code of the GNU Bash security holes have been discovered. These holes will be closed within this Collax software update.
Assigned Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) numbers:
E-Mail: Mail Pull Service fetchmail critical
Because of an error the mail pull service stopped under certain circumstances and had to be started manually. E-mails remained on the provider server and the administrator got informed that the service fetchmail is CRITICAL. With this update the automatich retrieval works solid.