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Archive for category Hardware

Citrix announcement: Citrix Access Gateway Product Line Simplification

Sep 24

Posted by virtuEs in Hardware, Network Appliances, Quoted | 5 Comments


It has been rumored for a while, but the official announcement from Citrix is here for the changes to the Citrix Access Gateway product line.

The Citrix Access Gateway team is pleased to announce changes being made to simplify the product line and sales process. On September 17, 2012 the following changes will be announced:

Products being discontinued (End Of Sale is March 31, 2013):

Access Gateway VPX (non-NetScaler code)
Access Gateway 2010 appliance
Access Gateway software editions 4.x and 5.x
Extended warranty option for Access Gateway MPX 5500

Name Change:

Access Gateway MPX (formerly Access Gateway 5500)

New! Citrix Access Gateway VPX
Citrix is announcing the new Access Gateway VPX virtual appliance based on NetScaler to replace the discontinued Access Gateway VPX.

Current Access Gateway VPX customers can migrate to the new Access Gateway VPX platform at no additional charge. This program will be available ongoing. Note: the actual migration site will go live later in the year.

via Citrix EMEA communications.

Finally all physical and virtual Access Gateway appliances will be based on the NetScaler code and therefore share the NetScaler code-base whether you’re choosing the Access Gateway only functionality or the many additional functionality the NetScaler has to offer as well, like Load Balancing, GLBS, etc.

Time to once more get myself familiar with all the features and functionality the new product line has to offer …

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Access Gateway 5.0 Standard Edition – Maintenance Release 5.0.4 (Patch_1_284097)

Aug 2

Posted by virtuEs in Hardware, Network Appliances | 2 Comments


On July 31st Citrix announced Security Vulnerabilities in Citrix Access Gateway Standard Edition with a Critical severity.

The following description was given to further explain the vulnerabilities:
Three security vulnerabilities have been identified in Access Gateway Standard Edition:

  • Directory traversal in Access Gateway Standard Edition 5.0.x prior to version 5.0.4 (critical severity)
  • Access Gateway Standard Edition 5.0.x can act as an open proxy (high severity)
  • Text content injection in Access Gateway Standard Edition 5.0.3 and 5.0.4 (low severity)

 

Access Gateway Standard Edition versions 4.5.x and 4.6.x and currently supported versions of NetScaler Access Gateway Enterprise Edition are not affected by these vulnerabilities.
 

 

You are strongly adviced to install the related patch, which can be found at: http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX134257 on the affected appliances (both physical on the 2010 model and virtual on the VPX).

 

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My First Homelab

Feb 28

Posted by virtuEs in * News *, Hardware, HomeLab, Hypervisors, Quests, Storage | 2 Comments


A couple of weeks ago I started my first IT Quest. Reading on numerous blogs about the homelabs most of the Virtualization Experts have installed I figured it was the first big step for me to take as well. After all a XenServer certification isn’t worth much in my opinion if you don’t get the hands on experience to really know what you are consulting about. And I’d rather not be depended on the test facilities at the clients I’m consulting.

So to keep my knowledge up-to-date and learn even more new tips and tricks, I’ve bought two whiteboxes, a NAS and a 8-port Managed Switch. All the ingredients for my First Homelab experience. (Thankfully collected from the Expert blogs I’ve read.

 

The hardware specs

I decided to use my savings for the new motorcycle (didn’t hear a complaint from my partner on that one) to buy the good stuff right away. So here’s the specs for the hardware that from now on will be known as my first Homelab.

 

The configuration of each whitebox is:

  • ASUS V Series V7-P5G43M (Towermodel)
  • 1 x Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 / 2.66 GHz ( 1333 MHz ) – LGA775 Socket
  • 2 x OCZ Platinum Dual Channel – SDRAM – 4 GB ( 2 x 2 GB ) – 8 GB total
  • 1 x Intel PRO/1000 PT Dual Port Server Adapter
  • 1 x ASUS DVD E818A6T – DVD-ROM – 18x – Serial ATA
  • 1 x WD Caviar Black WD6401AALS – 640 GB – SATA-300 – 7200 tpm -buffer: 32 MB

 

Additional Hardware:

  • 1 x Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 Network Storage – NAS – 2 TB
  • 1 x Cisco Small Business Smart Switch SLM2008 – Switch – 8 ports
  • 1 x Laptop, provided by my employer, to be used as the management console.

So I’m all good to go for the next IT Quests to come …

The following sources have be read prior to ordering my own homelab configuration:
Gabes Virtual World » My new whitebox ESX home lab
NTPRO » A VMware High-Availability Cluster at Home
Yellow Bricks » My homelab

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