NETmachines and Cybernet Strike Linux Alliance

Server appliance maker NETmachines, Inc. announced a strategic alliance Monday with Cybernet Systems Corp. to push low-cost, simplified e-commerce solutions to small and mid-sized businesses.

Cybernet, a developer of Linux-based thin server applications, will provide an OEM version of its NetMAX Red Hat Linux-based server series for the NETmachines line of customized Internet appliance solutions.

“ISPs, ASPs and businesses will now have a complete solution — hardware and software — that best answers all of their e-business needs,” commented Peter Tsepeleff, president of NETmachines. “E-commerce solutions are too important to be shared with other sites on a hosting server.”

Additionally, Cybernet has taken an investment position in NETmachines, and its President and CEO, Charles Jacobus, Ph.D., will take a seat on the NETmachines board of directors.

What Cybernet Brings

Cybernet manufactures an “easy-to-use Linux server software” product line for small to medium-sized businesses that are looking for an inexpensive and simplified way to gain an online presence. The Cybernet products include NetMAX WebServer, NetMAX FileServer and NetMAX FireWall.

Cybernet’s NetMAX product line is, according to the company, “the first Linux-based thin servers to hit the market.” The products offer the ability to quickly and economically configure a Web, file or firewall server, working with the intrinsic customizability of the Linux open-source OS.

The NetMAX pre-configured Web server for Linux product, which Cybernet claims can be installed in 15 minutes, is based on the Red Hat Linux distribution, and includes Apache, an FTP server and the sendmail e-mail server. Launched in October, the NetMAX products, including the FTP and FireWall offerings, can be installed standalone or in combination, and each carries a sub-$100 (US$) price tag.

NETmachines’ RedRak Powered by Red Hat

NETmachines produces the RedRak server appliance, an e-commerce enabling unit that is based on the Red Hat distribution of the Linux open-source OS. The product features 32MB of RAM, a 6GB hard drive and an intuitive GUI (graphical user interface).

The company markets Linux-based e-commerce appliance and communications solutions to ISPs, resellers and small to medium-sized businesses.

The RedRak server appliance was originally displayed at the IPSCON trade show in San Jose, California late last year. Tsepeleff commented at the time that “the Linux thin-server market opens a new door of price, power and performance for all businesses.”

The Palo Alto, California-based NETmachines was established by former employees of ISP Channel, Netscape, Shugart, Silicon Graphics and Xerox, in October of 1999. The first RedRak products will be available later this month.