Both WebZerver and InterGate use groups to provide multiple user access to the same information. With InterGate, we created a user group called Sales and assigned an additional user, "Yerxa," to it. A few clicks later, I granted the entire Research user group access to the Research Web site. As compared to WebZerver's User and Group setup, InterGate provides clearer definitions within each group and lets administrators carefully control and monitor each group or user's access rights. InterGate also lets administrators generate reports of user and group information by defining searches based on user name, group membership and account status. Using the report feature, we quickly verified which users had access to the Research group and, consequently, the Research Web site.

The InterGate unit we reviewed was preconfigured with an optional tape backup system and an optional APC UPS 700 rack-mount power supply. No other product we reviewed addressed backup issues. After hooking up the server to the UPS and powering on, we probed for additional features and services. We then used the Web interface for configuring the InterGate to perform nightly system and Web file backups. (The backup package is an option for the InterGate.) We inserted a blank tape, which the InterGate ejected when finished, indicating a successful backup.

MVI Corp. Instant Internet Plus
For small-to-medium sized workgroups, InterGate may not be necessary for simple Web publishing and Internet access. MVI Corp.'s IIP (Instant Internet Plus) provides numerous features and costs significantly less. Like InterGate, MVI's Web interface is well designed and easy to use, but some of its settings require you to be at the product's console for viewing and changing settings. IIP also provides e-mail services for use as a standalone mail server or for downloading multiple mail accounts from a local ISP. IIP runs on top of a Windows NT server that is easily integrated into existing Microsoft networks. In the lab, the product's content creation and management was extremely easy to use, thanks to Windows network shares that eliminated the need for third-party software.

The IIP's main attraction is the ease in which we accessed the Web site file store and created our Web site. After setting up the IIP system, we mapped a drive to the default Web site network share and simply dragged the necessary files. When you create a Web site, you and your users easily can drag and drop new content to the IIP Web site. You don't need any FTP programs or print drivers. To protect the newly configured Web site, we enabled user authentication via the HTML interface. From there, users must log into the IIP prior to accessing system files or the HTML interface.

As compared to InterGate, IIP handled user migration from existing user databases more gracefully. Using the MVI Mail User Import wizard from the HTML interface, we quickly imported all of our users from a second NT server. This process simply created user accounts based on the NT domain's user information. The IIP we tested was preconfigured for use in our test NT domain. We then used the HTML interface local to the IIP and configured individual users' mail accounts to our liking. IIP's options, including auto-responders and mailing lists, were much easier to configure and maintain than InterGate's selections. In addition, IIP offers support for Microsoft's FrontPage98 and the Microsoft Office 60 Minute Intranet Kit, Version 2 (www.microsoft. com/office/intranet), which InterGate does not.

The IIP does, however, have its flaws. Because it's actually a Windows NT server, it is susceptible to Windows NT security issues at the local console and from the network. The shell has been replaced so that the local console is automatically logged into an administrative account and immediately directed to the administrative Web page. During testing, we hacked into the system's registry via a remote NT machine and effectively removed all security restrictions on the local console. After we gained access to the normal NT explorer shell, we were able to install new software, corrupt system settings and impair the IIP's basic functionality. Although this security hole is on the IIP's local console, InterGate is certainly more secure. Windows NT is also notorious for network stack problems because of malicious hackers on the Internet. Subsequently, IIP and its replacement shell prohibit network administrators from installing hot fixes and service packs.