Helping you find the GOOD HOSTS of the web…

No, the word is PuTTY not putty. A PuTTY server has nothing to do with someone who brings you gobs of dough-like cement whenever you ask for it. It does, however, have something to do with giving you remote access to a computer whenever you want it.

Elsewhere at GoodHost.org we’ve talked about the Telnet (Telecommunication Network) and SSH (Secure Shell) protocols. PuTTY is one of the many programs that will allow you to utilize these protocols. The term “Putty server” is a bit of a misnomer in the sense that the program itself does not act as a server but is, rather, a universal client interface that will allow you interact with many different servers, each using different communications protocols. In each case, PuTTY emulates the type of terminal appropriate to the protocol being used.

Telnet and SSH are both protocols that allow you to connect remotely to a server and issue command line instructions to that server. Most computer users will not have a huge need for this kind of access. Most operating systems have other types of networking integrated into them. The main use for such protocols is to exercise remote access over servers that are hosting a website or other type Internet service. These networking protocols will allow users to exercise basic control of the fundamental environment settings of their servers.

Apart from that, Telnet, SSH and even PuTTY are a bit like the Internet equivalent of ham radio: they have been massively outclassed by most other communication methods but are still used for the amusement of many users and other obscure purposes. Telnet and SSH can still be used to log onto Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs) and MUDs (Multi User Dungeons). Such applications were popular in before the Internet became widespread and required dial-up connections and are still popular today among diehard fans and hobbyists. Developing the technical knowhow required to operate MUDs and BBSs has now become an end in itself.

The main difference between Telnet and SSH is that the later focuses on incorporating security features into the protocol, notably encryption methods that mean user names and passwords are transmitted as unreadable messages rather than plain text files that can be intercepted. Some of the main features of PuTTY include increased control over encryption mechanisms. The program will intermittently poll users for the correct encryption keys to ensure that the secure links are not compromised. The system also incorporates functionality for advanced encryption algorithms as well the ability to handle port-forwarding so that it can be used from behind a firewall.

Other features include the ability to activate connections using IPv6 (Internet Protocol version Six) which is slowly being setup to become the new dominant standard for Internet communication. While there is no such thing as a dedicated PuTTY server, you might still hear the phrase or even use it yourself. If you have to manage multiple servers you may find that PuTTY is your new best friend.

{ 0 comments }

Theoretically, staying connected to our friends, colleagues and clients should be getting easier by the day. New advances in technology, as well as new implementations of relatively old ones, are making it increasingly easy to have your communications networks move with you. By setting up an Outlook Web Access Server address you will equip yourself with one of the more versatile tools to keep yourself in constant contact with the people and information you need.

The idea of an e-mail service to which you can connect from any terminal with Internet access is hardly new. This kind of e-mail service is known as “web-mail” and there are many such applications available. There are even numerous free webmail services like Yahoo, Hotmail and Gmail, to name some of the more popular ones. The companies that provide these services can often do so for free because they make money off advertising embedded in their interfaces. Additional features, such as the omission of advertising, can often be obtained by upgrading to premium accounts.

In light of the advantages presented by such systems, many e-mail users are increasingly moving toward these webmail systems, specifically choosing them over other systems like POP3 accounts that were the traditional mainstay of e-mail communications. There are, however still reasons why you would want to use the older systems.

The main advantage is increased control. You get to choose what kind of anti-virus scanning and security features you use that aren’t necessarily integrated into your e-mail client and they are compatible with any domain name you might want to use or any host you may want to use.

Some free services, like Google for example, will allow you to forward messages to and from your accounts, but even then there is one element of control you’ll never have unless you’re willing to pay for it: control of how the service provider screens mail.

Any ISP or e-mail provider will screen e-mail to try to prevent spam from overloading their systems. The problem is that they sometimes do not disclose the conditions set by their filters and you will not be informed when your e-mails are screened out by the automated systems. That means you can be missing e-mail because it resembles spam, even if it isn’t. The filter rules are something you can discuss with your service provider, but being able to change providers gives you a definite advantage.

Maintaining a Microsoft Outlook Web Access system is an attempt to bridge the gap between the two technologies. You can have all the functionality and features of your Outlook client combined with the convenience of being able to access a server-side system remotely. All you need to do is setup the server and then you can connect, remotely, from anywhere with any machine using your unique Outlook web access server address.

{ 0 comments }

The development of the Internet has seen many systems and applications become obsolete over the years, but there some tools that survive the culling even as newer, more advanced technology is developed. Much of the Internet is still overlayed on technology that can be traced back to the infancy of networking. Telnet (Telecommunication network) protocol and is an excellent example.

Telnet Servers go right back to the beginning. Now, most of our networking applications are run based on TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and Telent connections do, now, work through TCP as well, but when it was first developed it was designed based on the earlier NCP (Network Control Program) model. TCP rendered the old system obsolete, as it is generally more versatile. The core improvement is that TCP allows for bidirectional, rather than unidirectional, information flow.

Telnet survived the threat of obsolescence, however, and continued to evolve and was adapted to TCP networks. The main use of the Telnet client is to exercise remote control over Telnet enabled servers. Telnet was commonly used in the early days of the Internet when security wasn’t such an issue. Originally, most computers and the vast majority of networks were the property of universities, research institutes and government agencies. Neither the technological know-how nor the necessary equipment to hack into a network was widely available and Telnet was originally developed in this context. Consequently, it still has many weaknesses from a security perspective. The protocol is not innately setup to encrypt data sent through a network and, therefore, any host along the network chain setup to listen for the information packets can intercept and read any information sent using Telnet. The simplicity and versatility of the system means that it is still used, but generally only on isolated networks.

Telnet is often still used for communication between workstations and a mainframe. The protocol enables the remote operation of applications on a host machine, which makes it ideal for systems designed for multitasked machines whose applications all use a common database. Another contemporary application is in network diagnostics. Due to the relative simplicity of the protocol it can be useful for testing the connectivity between servers and clients to isolate any problems before proceeding to identify more complex configuration issues. Telnet is also still used to implement remote access to databases that do not require security, such as read-only databases that are publicly available, as in the case of library catalogues.

Finally, gamers keep the old traditions alive. Telnet made the first MUD (Multi-User Dungeon) games possible and, even though modern graphics have outstripped those in old games, they still remain popular among diehards.

Tagged as: server, telnet, telnet client, transmission control protocol

{ 0 comments }

Networks do an incredible amount of work. It may not seem like it, but it’s true. The amount of data transmitted over a network in the normal course of a workday is incredible. For the most part, we don’t notice all the traffic. Information moves quickly and freely over the network, programs access data, and all we have to do, in many cases, is make sure the Ethernet cable is plugged into the machine we’re using. For small organizations, making a seamless system is pretty painless, but with large organizations host integration services are required.

There is a bit of a double meaning to the term “Host Integration Services.” In once sense this refers to an automated service provided by a server, but it also refers to the process of setting up such a service. Host integration is the practice of streamlining the communication and data transfer traffic on a network and integrating disparate elements of an organization’s resource into a common interface.

If that sounds complicated, that’s because it is. Technology is always advancing, and most producers of office applications try to keep their software integrated and standardized so that the various applications can work together. However, not every new generation of a software application is an improvement and there are many reasons why an organization might want to stick with older, proven technology is some cases, while shifting to the new cutting-edge technology in other cases. That means getting all the elements of your business systems integrated can be difficult.

This can also present problems in terms of network architecture. Different types of programs use network resources in different ways. Generally, developers try to keep things as separate as possible to avoid unforeseen conflicts, but it’s impossible to anticipate all eventualities. In large organizations, it’s easy to end up with dramatically increase loads on network resources and conflicts that arise from the incorrect prioritization of different types of traffic.

This is where host integration servers some into play. In terms of software, the point of such a system is to act as a bridge between all the disparate host applications dispersed over a network and to integrate them into one common access point that can be configured to properly prioritize traffic and workflow, improving network efficiency and making tasks simpler in the process.

The current trend in host integration services is to focus on making business information web-ready. Mobilizing information, formatting it in a way that it can be securely accessed from remote locations or transmitted to external business partners can create new prospects for an organization while increasing the productivity of established project.

Host integration services are available from several different companies, both in terms of the necessary server technology and configuration. These are enterprise-level applications, the architecture of which is extremely complex, and so generally the installation and configuration of the systems is part of the overall package. Microsoft and IBM are two of the leading contenders in this arena. IBM in particular offers both the physical technology and comprehensive consultation services.

Tagged as: host, host integration services, Hosting, servers

{ 0 comments }

The basic premise of the information age is that information is power. The more you have, the better, but it also matters that other people don’t have the same information. Something that is widely available is no longer a valuable commodity. Consequently, any service that protects the integrity and secrecy of an organization’s information can also command a high premium. The ability to secure communications channels in this context is particularly important. There are a lot of security solutions out there, but a product that stands out, especially given its price, is OpenSSH Server.

An OpenSSH Server utilizes a suite of programs to ensure reliable and secure communications over a network of machines. The two-part name itself says a lot about the system. “Open” refers to the fact that the software suite is “open-sourced,” which is to say that the product is feely available to the public and users and developers alike can contribute to the project and its adaptation to specific needs and contexts. “SSH” refers to “Secure Shell,” which is a network protocol that enabled the creation and maintenance of secure connections. It is, in a sense, very similar to Telnet, the main difference is that the remote connections that are established are encrypted so that they cannot be intercepted. To illustrate, consider that a Telnet connection may require a login and password, but this will usually be transferred as plain text, which means they can be intercepted and used for illicit purposes. A secure shell overcomes this security weakness.

There are debates as to whether an open source program can offer the kind of quality and reliability as a more traditionally developed application. It also seems to run against the idea that security is a valuable commodity. However, the argument behind open-source applications is that  due to the number of minds working on a project and adapting it to specific environments makes the process a uniquely complete and comprehensive development model. There are also ways to maintain some control by insisting that licensed versions, even if they are freely accessible, undergo centralized editing and code auditing by the parent organization.

The economic payoff is that, while the software is free, large consumers with specific needs will still require a substantial amount of support from experts and these tend to be the primary or most innovative developers. There is a world of difference between owning the software and hardware necessary to operate a network and having an administrator that can actually implement and maintain the system. Open source development projects, therefore, can secure significant economic gain.

Regardless of how you weigh-in on the open source debate, OpenSSH is respected in the tech industry for providing a secure communications environment. It is useful for maintaining Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) over the internet. An OpenSSH server can cater to multiple hosts by making it possible to maintain secure servers remotely and boasting data encryption and a full range of port-forwarding and tunneling service which provide firewall-like functionality.

Tagged as: Hosting, open source program, security solutions, servers

{ 0 comments }

If you are hosting a single website or are a home user, then you probably will have no need of any mail systems that are more complicated than a basic POP3 account. Many people even forgo POP3 accounts in favor of remotely accessible webmail accounts like those provided by Hotmail or Gmail. However, if you’re are running a business, a website and e-mail system that share a domain name relevant to your company’s name adds a certain level of professional prestige, not unlike a good business card. A dedicated mail system can also help you control organization-wide spam filters and security features, an ability that can be invaluable. If you’re company has multiple offices and divisions, then you may end up needing more sophisticated mail delivery systems like a Smart Host.

The goal of a Smart Host is to interface between a centralized mail domain server and multiple independent local mail servers that will be accessed by the relevant users. The idea is to maintain a single e-mail domain that can service multiple divisions. Imagine, for example, that in a couple of years GoodHost.org becomes a huge, multinational corporation with offices in many different companies. Each office will have its own Internet Service Provider (ISP). Ordinarily, any outgoing e-mail would have to use the ISP’s outgoing Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) server rather than the centralized delivery service. The reason for this is that most ISPs make it impossible to relay outgoing messages from any IP address which they have not specifically assigned to one of their customers. The goal is to clamp down on spam or otherwise illicit messages being sent from unknown users.

Effectively, this means that each office would have to handle the security for their outgoing mail independently, making sure it isn’t hijacked by spammers, mass-mailer viruses or other exploiters. This can be cumbersome in a large organization. To overcome this difficulty, each office can be setup to send messages through the central SMTP server by relaying their messages through a secure server that authenticates the mail transactions. Such a server can also be used as a backup mail server as it can be configured to store any outgoing messages if, for any reasons, the primary outgoing server cannot be reached. The messages can then be relayed once the primary server’s operation has been restored.

Apart from being useful to homogeneous organizations, a Smart Host can be extremely useful to webhosts who handle the e-mail traffic of all domains they host. The backup system can be invaluable in its own right, but more importantly it can help cut down on spam generated by subscribers who have failed to properly secure their mail programs from hackers or viruses. This level of security can be effected by refusing to allow messages to be transmitted directly, making it possible to implement another level of filtering before mail is sent by requiring that the each message be authenticated and that each relay server will cater to only a predetermined customer list.

Tagged as: Hosting, mail servers, smart host, Webhosting

{ 0 comments }

I remember when Call of Duty 4 came out. The first time I saw the game was when my friend showed it to me. The game’s release coincided, not so miraculously, with the arrival of my friend’s new gaming rig. The game was simply jaw dropping at the time and it wasn’t long before a bunch of our friends had rented their own COD4 Server from a hosting service. The game, when it came out, was a bit of a memory hog and I know it held up a few would-be addicts from playing.

I know because I was one of them. I could barely get the game to run let alone log onto my buddies’ COD4 Server. Whether it was with Call of Duty or another game, pretty well any gamer has had a similar experience. What, you ask, does this have to do with hosting services? The answer is a new model for running games that being tested called OnLive. If it works, this new technology has the potential to radically change the way gaming software is distributed and used.

The key component of the new OnLive technology is a new data compression system that makes the whole system feasible. The idea is to make it possible to stream games they we already steam music and videos. The difference is that games, involving many dynamic variables and calculations needed to make them interactive, resist the same compression methods usually employed to stream other types of content. Video games consistently push the boundaries of available technology.

The idea behind OnLive is to offload the processing requirements of video games, which have until now always been handled by users’ local machines, onto a remote server. All the local machine has to handle and transmit is the input from the gamer to the server and then display the final output sent to the local machine by the server. This means that gamers can subscribe to the service and play the newest games without necessarily needing to keep their personal computers equipped with the latest hardware.

The idea to run server-side applications isn’t new. Many of the dynamic functions and applications we all use on a daily basis are handled and processed by remote servers. The breakthrough, in this case, really hinges on making it possible to effectively stream such large amounts of data so as to enable a seamless gaming experience.

Apparently, early tests of the system are very positive. What remains to be seen is whether or not the system can handle widespread use. The high demand in peak hours, the frenzy associated with new games, the usual Internet slowdowns and connection problems. Even running a relatively simple COD4 Server can be frustrating if you have connection problems, so it might be a while before all of the potential kinks are worked out of the new technology. For games that are played exclusively online, there is an obvious benefit even if the new technology can’t overcome all of the shortcomings of the Internet. While the advantage of being able to play games without constantly upgrading your system is clearly still an advantage, it may not be worth the hassle of having to make sure our Internet connection is up to par even when you want to play single-player games. Further, the benefit of saving on hardware upgrades is only really meaningful if the OnLive service offers an affordable subscription fee.

Tagged as: Call of Duty 4, Call of Duty 4 Server, COD4

{ 0 comments }

GoDaddy Coupon: “199DOMAIN“

I was just registering a new domain with GoDaddy, before doing so I was hunting around for some GoDaddy coupon codes.  I found one that gives you the price of $1.99 for the first year, so I thought I’d share it with my readers.  I registered a dot com domain for 2 years which would have cost me $9.99/yr, here’s the breakdown:

Standard Rate:
(1st Year) $9.99 + (2nd Year) $9.99 + (ICANN fee) $0.20 = $20.38

After applying the coupon I got the first year for $1.99 (the second year the price is the same).  I always like to go for the 2yr term, mostly out of laziness… but you don’t have to.  So here’s the breakdown after the coupon was applied:

After Coupon:
(1st Year) $1.99 + (2nd Year) $9.99 + (ICANN fee) $0.20 = $12.38

GoDaddy Coupon Code

Full Sized Image

How to apply the coupon:

1) Just go to the GoDaddy website and follow the normal procedure to purchase a domain name, once you get to the checkout you’ll see an input box for a promo code.

2) Enter the promo code “199DOMAIN” here and click “apply code”, you’ll see your purchase price reduced the same way mine was.

It shouldn’t be any more complicated than that, it worked for me!  Now go take the $8 you saved and treat yourself to lunch

As always there are some standard terms and conditions that apply, be sure to check them out - also, be sure that the price actually changes when you click “apply code” to verify that the promo is still in effect.

Tagged as: domain name, godaddy coupon, promo code

{ 1 comment }

Generally speaking, when we use the terms “host” or “hosting,” the concept implies the idea of sharing a resource between multiple users. In many cases it refers to a kind of online publishing, but there are many reason one might want what can be called a private file host.

File hosts are generally designed to make it possible to make files accessible to many users and there are a lot of free, publicly-accessible services out there. A private file host is generally used for secure storage and backups. Even when you’re using a free, public file hosting service, you can usually protect a resource so that it will only be accessible to the desired users, but there are cases when you’ll want to employ a more specialized organization that can provide more security.

You’ve probably heard that old saying that you shouldn’t keep all your eggs in one basket and the same wisdom applies to data. You shouldn’t keep all your important files on one disk or machine in case it malfunctions. Similarly, you shouldn’t keep all your backups in one location. If you’ve ever backed up your MA thesis onto a USB key and put it in the same bad as your laptop and then had your laptop stolen, then you’ll appreciate the wisdom of distributing copies of your files. Even if you haven’t suffered that particularly aggravating fate, you should learn by its example.

One solution is to backup your files onto a disk and then physically transport that device to a different, ideally secure, location. This is a practice used by many individuals and small business. This can, however, be a hassle. Transporting storage devices makes them prone to being lost or damaged and, if you’re running a small business out of your home, then options for alternate storage locations are limited.

A private file host provides a way to establish safe, secure, off-site file backup. For many businesses these days, electronic records are the norm. For the sake of efficiency, on-site servers are necessary, but these can be setup to upload data to remote servers. The data can be overwritten and update every time or, depending on the service, data can be sequentially archived. An added feature of this type of service is that, depending on cost, professional storage packages often guarantee the security of files and will employ redundant servers to this end. They’ll take care of all the infrastructure maintenance so that you don’t have to.

Online data storage services are also invaluable tools for organizations that require representatives to travel. If all your business is done in one place, then establishing an off-site storage facility is relatively easy. If the members of an organization work remotely but collaborate on projects or draw on a common pool of data in order to run different projects, a centralized, online file server that is remotely accessible can be invaluable.

Tagged as: file host, file hosts, Hosting, hosts, secure storage

{ 0 comments }