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| EnGarde Secure Linux | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer | Guardian Digital, Inc |
| OS family | Linux (Unix-like) |
| Initial release | ? |
| Latest release | 3.0.22 / December 2008 |
| Supported platforms | i686,x86-64 with 512 MB RAM |
| Official website | http://www.engardelinux.org/ |
EnGarde Secure Linux was anopen source server-onlyLinux distribution developed byGuardian Digital. EnGarde incorporates open source tools such asPostfix,BIND, and theLAMP stack.
The platform includes services for web hosting, DNS and email, and others. Since 2005, SELinux has been incorporated into the platform by default.[1] Other security services are included by default as well, such as intrusion detection, anti-virus, network management and auditing and reporting tools.
Users can configure the services through the command line, or remotely manage them through WebTool, the platform's browser-based interface.
Since its inception in 2001,[2] the platform has been developed as an OS that incorporates only server functionality while focusing on security as the priority. Originally, the platform loosely drew on some of the code from early versions ofRed Hat Linux.[3] Within less than a year of development, much of that was re-engineered. Since then EnGarde has been treated as its own platform, as it maintains its own package repository based on RPM, among other changes.[citation needed]
Additionally, many desktop functions were not included. For example, EnGarde Secure Linux does not include theX Window System. Traditionally, this practice is calledhardening. According to the company, the platform has been engineered to maintain this focus on security for server functions.[4]
EnGarde Secure Linux was one of the earliest distributions to include SELinux for complete server implementations, and was one of the first Linux server platforms designed solely for security.[5]
Because there is noX Window System and EnGarde is configured via a graphical interface, it is recommended to configure the operating system using a second computer. Linux.com reviewed the platform in November 2005, where WebTool was described asinnovative and well-designed and lets you get productive quickly.[6] A recent review on PolishLinux.org gave it a positive review, but argued it could have included more popular modules and packages.[7]
There are two branches of EnGarde Secure Linux: Community and Professional.
Guardian Digital is currently releasing platform updates and upgrades about once every thirty to sixty days. Updates for current users are downloaded through GDSN (Guardian Digital Secure Network): a support system intended to provide customers with software updates, version upgrades, and comprehensive technical support. GSDN is designed to connect EnGarde Secure Linux users to expert security and application engineers.[citation needed]
Guardian Digital publishes a detailed history on their website.[10] There have been twenty one releases since September 2005.
Some of the early design parameters included SELinux functionality, 64-bit support, interfaces for network intrusion detection, as well as translations for both Spanish and Italian. Other versions of EnGarde are currently being translated into other languages.
Other changes include a point-and-click GUI for using SELinux, automatic hardware inventory generation and a new WebTool API guide for community modules. Changes to the IDS with an Ajax interface and a real-time WebTool support tool are also some changes.[11]
