Critical Links has announced the release of edgeBOX 4.6 that include new features such as fault-tolerance and security, while also simplifying provisioning and making the product easier to use.

edgeBOX is Critical Links' multi-service business gateway appliance, which provides a full fledged VoIP and IP-PBX as well as a host of data and IT services in a single device, while reducing complexity and deployment costs. Some of these data and IT services include network access control, storage, collaboration tools and WiFi access points. "[edgeBOX] helps with all the networking and IT services that SMBs will want," said Abdul Kasim, vice-president of global marketing and business development with Critical Links. He said the enhancements made to their flagship product were all about simplifying edgeBOX to its users.

But one important enhancement, said Kasim is fault-tolerance. "We have consolidated a lot of functions in one box," Kasim observed. "While it simplifies things, there is a degree of exposure now. If you put all your eggs in one basket and if the basket breaks then you are in trouble."

To help protect its functionality, the edgeBOX now offers a hot stand-by option that allows customers to have complete 1-on-1 redundancy for the entire platform. Employing this option eliminates a single point of failure, which is of particular concern to SMBs whose entire communication and IT infrastructure is increasingly being deployed on a single physical unit. If a failure were to occur without the fault-tolerant feature, Kasim said that SMBs would not only lose communication connectivity but there would be a productivity loss as well. Also, version 4.6 of edgeBOX features a hot stand-by-option for spare RAID, and it can be replaced without operational impact.

Other enhancements include the edgeBOX now supporting full port-based authentication based on IEEE 802.1x and can be deployed in a VLAN based wired and wireless infrastructure (based on IEEE 802.1Q). Additionally, version 4.6 also introduces numerous security features that allow for a finer level of control of user access, as well as protection from viruses. As well, the edgeBOX IP-PBX can now be automatically configured for phones from Aastra and Polycom. In fact, the phones can be used to configure the box instantaneously. The voice prompts can be customized, and FXO (analog) lines can be configured using parameters such as TX/RX gain, Echo cancel and Wait dial tone. The IP-PBX also supports the EasyLink external billing solution. Being VLAN aware also means temporary and guest accounts can be set-up very quickly on the system without setting up complex profiles. The edgeBOX 4.6 system clock can also be synchronized with a remote NTP server. In addition the edgeBOX IP PBX now supports additional hardware - E1/T1 and analog cards from Sangoma and Digium.

The edgeBOX 4.6 is available now and delivered to SMBs through Critical Links™ global network of resellers, service providers and OEMs. Kasim said the enhancements give each of the company's partners varying benefits. "[For resellers], it gives them a competitive benefit [as] the enhancements can lead to more sales for them. For service providers, they can charge premium [service fees] for the redundancy," he added.

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