A "network in a box" is a term which could be used when describing SOHO hardware products. That is a fairly loyal description of many of the routers you see reviewed here on CMI (CableModemInfo).

What about software? There are many options out there when it comes to running the services you will need for your business. After all, you can't expect to survive without the basic technical requirements that all companies need today. These would be from simple mail and web servers to more complex E-Commerce solutions. Software602, Inc. has met all of these requirements in a simple program you can download and install. "network in a box" has now been modernized to "IT department you can download". Think I'm kidding? Read on...

Software602, Inc. designs and sells software for all sorts of tasks. The latest addition to their family of software is the 602Pro LAN Suite, a collection of very common (and some not so common) network tools and services. The services that this software can provide are quite extensive actually. It includes servers for E-mail, Fax and Web pages, as well as proxy tools like a DHCP server, some basic Firewall rules and Internet sharing utilities. Wow...that is a lot. Especially considering that this is an 18mb file you can download! Like I said, an IT department that is dearly a click away.

Before I get too deep into the individual features, let us ponder why something like this is valuable, and to whom. Most all of these features can be accomplished with all of your major business class operating systems. In the Microsoft world, you have XPs built in Firewall and their product offerings of IIS and Exchange to manage your web and e-mail serving needs. The software is complex at times and certainly requires a separate computer to run these services on your network. They (Microsoft) don't offer those MCSE titles without reason! It actually does take considerable knowledge to set these up and run them correctly. Then there is the cost. Thousands....that's right, thousands! If you have a lot of users, the cost goes up.

On the other side of the fence you have your UNIX systems. Solaris, Linux and all of their many flavors, each offering built in web and mail servers. Most all other software that you could need is available for free. What is the catch? You need considerable skills in order to even install most of them. Certainly, they are intended for experienced professional systems administrators to work with.
For most people, the Windows operating systems are a familiar face. Installing some software is typically simple and following a menu or wizard based list of options within any given piece of software is old hat. These familiar perks are where 602Pro LAN Suite comes into play as it offers exactly this. Installation is simplistic and you have your choice of interfaces from which to manage the options.

Screen shots of 602ProLan Suite. Graphics here show configuration for DHCP and network/mail users.

The program itself runs in the background upon start up (full NT service configuration options) and it is easy to breeze through the many options via the little GUI (graphical user interface) program. Even better still, you can access all of the same features via a web based graphical interface. The advantage is that you can manage your network from any PC instead of the server where the software is installed. A nice bonus indeed.

Now let's look at the main services 602Pro LAN Suite offers.
The mail server works off your basic POP3 and SMTP protocols (both standard and SSL for encrypted transmissions between mail server and client). It is compatible with most major mail clients, which is attractive as nobody likes proprietary software. Things get better still. The mail server comes with support for an Anti-Virus plug-in provided by Grisoft, Inc. This is a 3rd party application that when installed on the same box that is running 602Pro LAN Suite will scan both incoming and outgoing e-mail messages for viruses.

Anti-Virus plug-in is available to protect all clients from virus infection via e-mail attachments.

There is also a SPAM filter that supports filtering via IP or by specific users and domain names. This "blacklist" feature allows the administrator to create an end user e-mail rejection list. The mail server also has LDAP (local directory access protocol) services which allow mail clients (assuming LDAP functionality in their e-mail client software) to share an address book that is stored on the server. Very nice feature among sales teams, support groups or anyone who can benefit from this shared resource. On the go? Away from your main PC too often? No worries because there is also a Web Mail feature which users can access from anywhere there is an Internet connection. The Web Mail options are very cool as users can personalize their accounts with signature files and e-mail previews. Dial up users will be psyched to find an automated option that will automatically compress (.zip) any incoming attachment. Now that is cool! Back end administration of all of this can be performed via the software directly from the box it is installed on or via the web based interface. User rights, mailbox size, LDAP access and faxing privileges can all be controlled.

The FAX server is a handy feature allowing all network clients to send and receive faxes. Contacts can also be accessed via your e-mail clients address book. Supported clients include Outlook, Outlook Express, Netscape, Eudora and some others. Faxes can come in via e-mail or web mail. Users simply specify an outgoing fax as faxnumber@fax as the recipient and LAN Suite will automatically convert your document into fax and send it out using OLE support. Most all of the major file formats (.doc, .html, .txt, .xls) are supported. This makes things very simple for the home or small office that still requires faxing capabilities but does not have the room for a large fax machine.

Web services are handled via a standard web server and a secure web server using a standard 128bit SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption. You can host your own web site to the entire world. Not only that, but you can design an E-Commerce store front with the safety of SSL security. LAN Suite's web server can even coexist along side other web servers installed on the same machine using alternate ports that the administrator can configure. Hosting your companies Intranet is also handled with ease. Each user is given their own personal space for hosting their own web page. Contents can be updated via FTP or HTTP uploads. FastCGI, CGI ad ISAPI are supported as well, opening the doors for all kinds of custom web based applications.

The web based GUI showing SSL configuration for the LAN SUITE web server.

Managing your networks traffic is also no problem for 602Pro LAN Suite. This is the only area where complications could boggle the inexperienced administrator as utilizing these features will require a 2nd NIC card to be installed. Two cards can offer up a range of issues, but it is usually not very difficult to manage even for the modest computer user.
From a single Internet connection (and a single IP) you can manage your network with the built in DHCP server that offers control over the number of available dynamic IP addresses as well as options that will show you the primary function of that IP (routers, time servers, etc.). The Proxy Server allows you to direct traffic to common services like SOCKS 4&5, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, TELNET and Realaudio. An HTTP proxy cache will allow you revisit frequently viewed web sites without having to pull all of the data down from the remote server.
Mapped links to other networks is setup very simplistic, allowing bi-directional control over the data. Access control give the administrator a firm hold upon incoming and outgoing network traffic as well as managing times when the Internet will be available. You can even single out specific sites that specific users can or can not view and when they can view them.
Securing your network with the built in Firewall is also a fairly simple chore. IP filtering will let you control exactly who gets in our out of your network. These services can also protect your mail server from bulk e-mail relayers (SPAMMERS) as the Firewall and all of its features are built into the LAN Suite and affect all services that are offered.

Administrative duties can be done remotely via the web based GUI that was discussed previously. Security functions have been incorporated so that only specified users can access the back end of your network. Full management of e-mail and FAX ques are a breeze. Audit logs (W3C) and statistics (provided in real time) will keep you up to date at all times.

The ability to purchase add-on services really makes this package complete. As mentioned earlier, Anti-Virus software can be purchased and installed which will automatically protect all of your users. By far, the best add on you can acquire would be the dynamic DNS service TZO (www.tzo.com). This is a perfect accessory for software like the LAN Suite as you don't need to have a static IP address to find your network and all services provided from anywhere in the world.

As mentioned, competitive packages either require extensive expertise or deep pockets. With 602Pro LAN Suite, you need neither! Pricing is very reasonable, FREE! Well, free for 5 users any way. There are nominal costs to register your downloaded software for 10 and 25 user systems and an unlimited user license is also available. Where they stick you is with the support options. By default, you are on your own with LAN Suite. The company offers a searchable knowledge base and user forums that you can utilize. E-mail support is an additional $59 and phone support ranges in price determined by the number of users. This pushes $900 for the unlimited user license. Despite these extra costs, they are nominal when compared with the competing software packages.

I'm left thinking how one could go wrong with this software. If you have needs for the types of services that are typically offered by an IT staff supporting several complex servers, look no further. 602Pro LAN Suite is by far the most simplistic and cost effective approach to modern day business solutions that we've run across. Not to mention that it is just plain cool! You don't need to be running a business to appreciate just how much this software can do. When it comes to value, Software602, Inc. is solid gold.

Software602, Inc. 602PRO LAN SUITE highlights

- Cost effective solution for small business with enterprise level needs
- HTTP, HTTPS, POP3, SMTP, DHCP, IP filtering and more
- Web based e-mail for unlimited clients
- Two interfaces, both software GUI and web based GUI
- Outstanding features all around at an incredible value
- Very low overhead

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pros: This software offers small business a chance to compete with the big boys without having to spend thousands on software to do those big tasks like e-commerce. All in one 18mb install offers web, e-mail, Firewall, fax server and a full range of other bells and whistles. Good sources for support via company hosted user forums, support FAQs and a searchable Knowledge Base.
Cons: Phone support for this requires one to purchase a Support Service option which could be a lot compared to the software costs.

602Pro LAN SUITE by Software602, Inc.
Current Street Price: 5 users: FREE, 10 users: $99, 25 users: $199 and unlimited users for only $399
Available directly from Software602

Software602, Inc.
One Independent Drive Suite 3125
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Phone: 1-904-356-6020
Fax: 1-904-353-2602
E-mail: info@software602.com
www.software602.com