home news blogs forums events research newsletter whitepapers careers


Network Computing Network Computing Network Computing
HOT PICKS

IMMERSE YOURSELF:

SOA

  |

Data Center

  |

802.11n

  |

Data Privacy

  |
APO  |

Virtualization

  |

NAC

  |

Security

  |

Network Mgmt

  |

Enterprise Apps

  |

Storage & Servers



Network + Systems Infrastructure
R E V I E W  
Do It Yourself DNS

  April 3, 2003
  By Joe Hernick and Dean Ellerton


>> continued from previous page

BlueCat Networks Adonis
TOC Issue TOC
Printer Print full article
Printer Print this page
Printer Download as PDF
E-Mail E-Mail this URL
Discuss Discuss this article
flame author Flame the author
 
  In this article
arrow
Introduction
arrow
BlueCat Networks Adonis
arrow
ApplianSys DNSBox300
arrow
Infoblox DNS One
arrow
Executive Summary | How We Tested | Related Links
arrow
Report Card

This sturdy contender comes in a 1U rackmount chassis that boasts a clear, front-mounted LCD for status and basic configuration input. The efficient admin interface is a Java-based client that will install on Windows, Linux and Solaris. Adonis uses BIND 9, and, like all products tested for this review, it's backward-compatible with BIND 4 and BIND 8.

Out of the box, Adonis gave us the second-best time of the three appliances to get up and running (with one zone and answering queries). We loaded the Java client on a Windows NT desktop, and ran through the slick setup wizards to create a configuration floppy disk. We booted the Adonis box with the configuration floppy, then synched the client and appliance. Total setup time was about five minutes after racking.

The client-based configuration carries an additional benefit: the flexibility to blast away our first config and convert the Adonis from a primary DNS server to a secondary or caching server in less than five minutes. And for less experienced administrators, the initial configuration wizard offers snazzy graphics to explain the different types of DNS topologies (slave, master or DDNS, for instance) that are possible with the BlueCat equipment.


After converting our existing environment's BIND config files to match Unix-style "ti" line endings (we run a primarily Macintosh OS X shop), we could pull in our file (including named.conf) with no problems. We did miss the GUI import tools offered by the other contenders, as we scratched our heads reviewing obscure text-file-formatting issues.



BlueCat Networks Adonis

click to enlarge

Although the Adonis requires you to install a client on your PC (the other devices use Web interfaces), its interface is both full-featured and simple to use. The client offers a Microsoft Explorer-like tree structure that we found easy to navigate. Adonis' update feature is easily configured from the client, allowing manual or automated pull-downs of BIND and OS security patches from BlueCat.

Adonis truly shines with security. The ACL (access-control list) tools are excellent. Right from the initial installation, everything is secure--including adds/drops and communications between master and slave. Security is maintained via a 128-bit-encrypted SSL connection on Port 10042 between the appliance and client. The certificate keys are generated and installed via the configuration floppy. SSL certificates can only be shared with additional clients via configuration disks. Adonis offers an integrated firewall and keeps only two ports open--for DNS requests and SSL communications with the client.

The error-checking capabilities are impressive. The BlueCat box wowed us with the speed and thoroughness of its audit tools. It instantly reviewed our imported DNS configs and highlighted a couple of minor issues. We watched the tools run through an import file from a multithousand node network in less than five seconds, identifying a number of problems. The tools can check existing configuration files on the client and do a live data check of the environment.

Adonis does need some improvement in one area: Apple Macintosh compatibility. We'd like to see a Macintosh-compatible client. The importation of existing zones and configurations was simple with respect to text files and databases, but not being able to directly import a zone via transfer from existing DNS servers is disappointing, especially from such an impressively polished product. The other two appliances allow for direct import via zone transfer from existing servers, making administration easier.

Adonis, $9,995. BlueCat Networks, (905) 882-5691. www.bluecatnetworks.com


start top  Introduction ApplianSys DNSBox300  





Ready to take that job and shove it?

Function:

Keyword(s):

State:
SPONSOR
RECENT JOB POSTINGS
CAREER NEWS
Go beyond Google and get vertical. These specialized search sites will help you find the business information you need -- fast.

Ari Balogh was named to the post of chief technology officer as the companys for a "realignment" of employees.










InformationWeek U.S. IT Salary Survey 2008
Salaries for business technology professionals are falling. Here's what you need to know in order to make good hiring decisions and personal career choices. Purchase Today: $299
 
ROLLING RIGHT ALONG
Follow key Network Computing Reviews from conception to completion. This Week: Holistic APM.



Network Computing Reports Emerging Enterprise Podcast Series: Secrets to Success








TechSearch


Microsite of the Week


Powerful Information at Your Fingertips



techweb
Online Communities TechWebInformationWeekLight ReadingIntelligent EnterprisebMightyNetwork ComputingDark ReadingDigital LibraryWall Street & Technology
Byte & SwitchNo JitterInternet EvolutionLight Reading's Cable Digital NewsContentinopleUnStrungBank Systems & TechnologyAdvanced TradingInsurance & Technology
Face-to-Face Events
InteropWeb 2.0 ExpoWeb 2.0 SummitVoiceConBlack HatCSISoftwareEntrprise 2.0 ConferenceGTEC
Mobile Business Expo
InformationWeek 500 ConferenceBuy Side Trading XchangeBuy Side Trading SummitBank Executive SummitInsurance Executive SummitTelcoTVEthernet ExpoOptical Expo
Magazines  
InformationWeekWall Street & TechnologyInsurance & TechnologyBank Systems & TechnologyAdvanced TradingMSDNTechNetSmart EnterpriseThe Architecture JournalDatabase Magazine
 
Research & Analyst Services  
Heavy ReadingInformationWeek ReportsInformationWeek Analytics
 
   
   
App Infrastructure   |   Messaging & Collaboration   |   Network & Systems Mgmt   |   Network Infrastructure   |   Security  |   Storage & Servers   |   Wireless   |   Enterprise Apps
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  Site Map  |  Technology Marketing Solutions  |   Briefing Centers
Copyright © 2008  United Business Media Limited  |  Privacy Statement  |  Terms of Service  |  Your California Privacy Rights