What is our primary use case?
Since last four years we have used NethServer 7.9.xxxx { by Nethesis SRL} (community editions...). Which is basically based on Rocky Linux. A well architected with web user interface and also supports SSH for almost all kind of administrative monitoring and control. Designed to be used for Small and Medium business, MsMe's, Startups [even SoHo users would enjoy using - if they would be setting-it-up correctly!]
We started using for some of our local clients (mainly YouTubers, Small office business owners like Charted accountants, Attorney/Advocates/MsMe..) which makes us showcase it to few SMB's where we found that there business needs want more 'aggressive' features (e.g collaboration tools, Backup/Restorage and archival of data securely) like High-Availability, scalability with better networking throughputs, which makes us go extra miles in exploring more and it delivers! All this on a Commodity (readily available) hardware, and trained the technical team to handle and operate of their own. (Would update more...)
How has it helped my organization?
Firstly we were not sure as how it would come-out, but, when we tried at our end it stared flying in no time (the community edition) then few of our known once have been given a live demo, then they asked to access of there own, we configured our firewall and VPN for them to directly access our NATed IP and then they did developed some confidence. When we stared perfected the SI capabilities of this platform it helped us to have better goodwill with customers. The most important question every time we face is Platforms Operability, Support, Quality of services, and its setup costing with Bill of Material. Which we work with our customers seamlessly.
Now, since it is based on Open Source technologies and principles and most of the consumer prefer local (in-person) support, we started showcasing architecture more resilient highly available architecture which would be near to Fail-Safe, and would recommend consumer to have their Digital IT Infrastructure over 'Dynamic - Abstracted layer' i.e Virtualized environment(s) over Proxmox - Virtualization platform [which many of our customers are already using] ! Keeping 'Data security Engineering - DSE' as our primary goal!
Point to Ponder :-
- Since we know the nature, pattern and behavior of Open Source and its "patching" (keeping supply-chain security guidelines in mind...) firstly we prefer to chk. the most stable image to be used locally before patching..
- 2ndly, we chk. the patches at our end a prefer to have one level of VAPT done before recommend it to consumers.
What is most valuable?
Features - Tones of them, virtually free!
Key elements
- Lots of software at one place which can be used insatiately! Even they have given special focus on Firewall
The true value would be..
- Boot disk HA.
- Use of NethServer as DNS and DHCP along with Domain controller and multiple NIC cards.
- Making the server accessible from clout with LVM and/or with software RAID capability built-in.
- Making extensive use of making this server a "CloudNAS" and with a bit of adjustment/tuning we have connected the software defined Block storage "MinIO" - (AWS - S3) compatible over iSCSI.
- Scheduled backup (very important for any SMB/Startups)
- Secure FTP/Email server and document share along with 3rd party Android platform file share software support for backing-up devices.
- Extensive use of SoHo and YouTubers media sharing, directly connecting it with SetTop-Box or smartTV sets.
- Extensive use with IoT/Industry 4.x use along with use to Hospital management system, "Digital billboard" display system, NVR for storing and retrieving streams from DVR's/NVR's.
- Build-int Proxy (web proxy, reverse proxy) and OpenVPN hosted environment.
- IDS/IPS with Antivirus protection.
- Dedicated hosting platform with WordPress.
- UPS emergency power "Shutdown" support.
- Microservices and VM (with variable T-Shirt size) support.
- Interactive Monitoring using 'NetData' or 'Prometheus' and visualize using 'Grafana'.
- Opt for Subscription and Support!
- More may be added later point of time...
Commercial aspects
- It gives a very good control on controlling the operational cost of a Small and Medium business, Startups, SoHo and GiG workforce. etc...
What needs improvement?
Few of the pointers marked below on the products improvement(s)..
- A separate documentation section should be there for custom/DIY application installations and how to make it a part of hosted menu.
- More work needs to be done on UI.
- Some work would be required to allow systems integrators to configure LVMs and RAID with ease.
- Preparing the HDD/SSD to ready to be used and to create Partition takes hell-lot-of time, this needs more work to be done.
- NethServer 7.9.xxx is EOL, 8 is already in making, hope for the best!
- CAPTCHA security code - capabilities should be added.
For how long have I used the solution?
It is going to be more than four years we are using Nethserver v xx.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Between 8-9 out of 10 (condition applies on many elements like solution design as per business requirements, procurement of hardware's 'quality aspects', service, support and operability and maintenance etc... )
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Well architected for SMB's & scalable, though, it can vary based on business justification, complexity, load and utilization. (kindly try to see scalability of this product having cybersecurity in mind along with 'Technology and Architecture Governance' for informed decision making.
How are customer service and support?
Neutral - Not encountered yet!
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Yes we did tested multiple products similar to NethServer, though, it is highly based on what consumer wants and what we can integrate. Most important advantage of NethServer is - it gives "one-stop-solution" for SMB's, MsMe's and Startup businesses all-at-one place with virtually no cost other than the setup cost and the quality of the product is appreciable and acceptable with no vendor-lock-in.
How was the initial setup?
Usually we advise customers to take 'baby steps' first and slowly grow to intermediate to advance based on their risk apatite.
What about the implementation team?
We do it ourselves along with customers team (if they have one) but if they do not have, we flag the risks and help them build their team as well!
What was our ROI?
It is mainly for the business who are looking for solving their business needs using this product and other associated IT/dynamic infrastructure.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Very important! This you need to connect with us :), as it is highly depended on complexity of business needs, availability of associated Hardware's and how scalable you want the solution would be i.e. capacity plaining and sizing varies time-to-time. (plus other technically associated elements, licensing "GPLv3" and KPI's..)[Strongly recommend opting of paid services.]
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Yes, we had been requested for SI tasks for lots of Storage requirements, Software defined Storage with block level features on varied digital platforms. We tested with custom build opensource and/or ZFS, GlusterFS, or with FreeNAS and TrueNAS. But NethServer is feature-rich, easy to deploy, secure and stable. [Strongly recommend opting of paid services.]
What other advice do I have?
Business of different shape and sizes must do proper study and analysis keeping the security, availability, scalability and IT-Compliance in mind (along with future scale-up or scale-down) and should discuss with SI & other stake holders beforehand before investing.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Other
*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
