eBox

eBox is a network services development and deployment framework designed specifically for small and medium-sized networks. Its simplified graphical interface makes it extremely user-friendly even for non-expert users. One of its standout features is the fact that unlike a typical router, it can be configured as a gateway with additional features that make it highly functional. The software is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and has undergone a major update recently.

Amongst the newly added features, the one that stands out is the support for PDC. This highly-demanded feature now allows Windows users to authenticate against an eBox machine, use roaming profiles, and more. Here are some key features of eBox that make it an invaluable tool for network administrators:

- Network Configuration
- Firewall with NAT/Port redirections
- HTTP Proxy and content filtering
- DHCP server
- Configuration backups
- Windows user, and file sharing
- PDC support
- Printing server
- DNS Cache
- Jabber server
- NTP server
- Software updates
- Mail server
- Debian Installer

Moreover, eBox comes with a CD that allows you to test the latest features of the platform by simply booting your PC from the CD-ROM drive. Note, however, that you need to configure your network using eBox before you can access the internet. The password for the administration interface is 'ebox.' Overall, eBox is a powerful software solution that makes life easier for network administrators.