runIP Features

runIP Appliance

Plug 'n' Go Deployment

Each runIP appliance is delivered ready configured with your required TCP/IP configuration. All you need to do is plug in the power supply and make the newtork connections. Then you are all set to activate your new runIP appliance by pushing the version of VitalQIP remote server software that you plan to run on your runIP appliance. To put the appliance into full operation all that is then needed are DNS or DHCP generations from VitalQIP, whether as a stand alone unit or as a high availability paired combination.

Efficient Deployment

runIP appliances feature a hardened, minimised kernel with security tightly locked down to firewall standards avoiding human error and the costly time you would otherwise need to

• purchase servers and operating systems
• hand build, validate and secure traditional servers
• install, configure and validate VitalQIP DNS and DHCP services

Reduce all of this to a simple point and click selection at the runIP Management Station to push fully validated and configured server software to your runIP appliances. Whether at initial deployment or after installing a replacement unit a runIP appliance can be rebuilt within minutes.

Dual Interfaces

Each appliance also incorporates support for a second network interface. This further enhances availability by allowing connection to two different network segments thereby avoiding a single network failure preventing access to your DNS server. Alternatively this facility can be used to separate the management interface from the delivery of the DNS and DHCP services.

Compact

At the same time runIP conserves space ... even when you deploy a fully redundant solution of paired appliances you will still only use 2u in your racks, whether in an enterprise data centre or a remote office. In fact a pair need not even be in the same rack. They need only be connected to the same network segment in order to be paired. If a segment is spanned across multiple locations this can assist in providing a disaster recovery solution.

runIP Management Station

Secure Communications

All of your communications with the Management Station are via an intuitive web based GUI. Communication between the Management Station and the appliances is encrypted to protect sensitive configuration data while in transit through your intranet or over the public internet.

Package Technology

Whenever you want to upgrade your appliances to a higher release of the VitalQIP DNS or DHCP services you will benefit from the management package technology developed specifically for runIP. Using a central Management Station you define which units run which services and the exact versions of VitalQIP DNS and DHCP servers to be used. The management packages needed in order to do this are made available for internet download via your Annual Subscription Service.

Administrator Access Controls

The Management Station allows you to centrally administer the VitalQIP server software configuration for the runIP Appliances you have deployed. And even the underlying runIP software platform can be upgraded without any need for physical access to the machines.

Grouping

Appliances can be treated individually, or grouped so that upgrading a whole group of appliances becomes as easy as upgrading a single appliance. A special group is a high availability pair, which can then be included in higher level groups to match your chosen upgrade and management hierarchy

Rollback

Uniquely, the Management Station also features a multi level point and click rollback facility so that you can easily back out any upgrade or patch if it interferes with the effective operation of your network services.

High Availability

The runIP solution is completed by integrated monitoring of the DNS and DHCP services as well as the operating system. Furthermore, your DNS service can be made resilient via automatic takeover of a logical IP address (in addition to the DHCP failover option provided with the Lucent DHCP server) if the boxes are deployed in pairs. DNS propagation delays on failover can be minimised or eliminated.

High Performance

runIP appliances also offer extremely high performance DNS. Whether acting in caching or authoritative mode, runIP appliances are capable of exceeding 30,000 queries per second.

Notification

Events can be forwarded to other network management consoles via a customizable user exit. Alternatively, events can be notified by email.

Automatic Restart

The runIP monitoring solution will also automatically restart services if it finds that they are not running ... further reducing the need for manual intervention and maintaining high availability.