A Host Of New Features
Sybase iAnywhere sent us late beta code of Afaria 5.5 and OneBridge 5.5, which we tested in our Syracuse University Real-World Labs®. We used three Dell PowerEdge SC1425 servers: one to host our Exchange test server, and separate hosts for Afaria and OneBridge. We also used a Toshiba Satellite 1200 for Outlook connectivity. We used Sybase's own secure relay server, as we did not have a DMZ configured for our test network. Our client devices included a Windows Mobile-based Hewlett Packard iPAQ 6915 and a Symbian-based Nokia E61.
The OneBridge 5.5's new communications architecture, which introduces a secure relay server, is similar to that of RIM's BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). The secure relay server runs in an enterprise's DMZ; the OneBridge server resides behind the enterprise firewall and makes an outbound-only connection to the secure relay server. Clients then connect to OneBridge through the relay server. Previously, clients connected directly to the OneBridge server, which meant opening holes in the company firewall. By exposing the enterprise network less, the secure relay server simplifies the network configuration needed to deploy OneBridge.
The main difference between the secure relay server and RIM's BES architecture is with the relay hosts. With BES, RIM hosts the relay server for a monthly fee. With OneBridge, the enterprise hosts the relay. Unfortunately, Afaria 5.5 does not yet take advantage of OneBridge's communication architecture. Organizations must open ports in their firewalls to allow access. Sybase says integration will occur over the next year.
OneBridge has some new features for end users. For example, to conserve battery life, they can tailor push options. However the schedule for defining push e-mail is predefined--from open constantly to open less frequently. We would have liked users to be able to set these push timetables at a more granular level.
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