The
core Enetrics Communications Virtual Server system services
inlude the following services (or applications):
- HTTP (web)
- FTP (file transfer)
- POP (e-mail)
- IMAP (e-mail)
- SMTP (e-mail)
Each of the services
above is linked to your own domain name. The services
are outlined in detail in the concluding portions of
this chapter. Core virtual services capabilities are
complemented with the following utilities:
- iManager
- Microsoft® FrontPage®
server extensions
- CGI scripts (customized
for Enetrics Communications's clients)
- Java applets (customized
for Enetrics Communications's clients)
The Virtual Server environment
also supports popular third-party applications (sometimes
called "contrib" or "contributed"
programs).
The Virtual Server HTTP
(Web) Service
With the Enetrics Communications
Virtual Server system, customers can access your company's
World Wide Web service easier than before. The Virtual
HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) service provides
all the power and bandwidth your company needs.
The virtual HTTP service
(or "virtual web service") enables you to
have a business presence on the Internet. Internet access
allows you to reach the millions of homes and businesses
that are online each day without hassling with the cost
of maintaining a dedicated server. You will save money,
and your virtual web service displays a more professional
appearance to your customers. Your home address appears
as http://www.yourcompany.com not http://www.someisp.com/~yourcompany
as it would with a non-virtual shared service or web
mail.
You can add web-layer
encryption or SSL to your Virtual Server. With this
encryption, your customers feel confident sending you
their credit card information online because they are
ensured of a secure transaction. Many other extensions,
CGI scripts, Java applets, and popular third-party applications
are also available.
The Virtual Server FTP
Service
The majority of Internet
traffic uses the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP enables
users to download files made available to them on other
computer systems. FTP is a workhorse of Internet tools.
With your virtual FTP
service, you can enable your customers to download files
that give them information about your company. For example,
customers can download a catalog of your products or
a price list of your services. This enables customers
to have instant access to vital information and saves
you printing and mailing costs.
The virtual FTP service
enables you to maintain a simple FTP address such as
ftp://ftp.yourcompany.com. Your FTP address appears
to customers just as it would with a dedicated server.
Both anonymous and private access capabilities are available.
The Virtual Server E-mail
ServicesThe Virtual Server POP
Service
Post Office Protocol
(POP) enables users to read their e-mail without having
to logon to a server and learn a cumbersome mail program.
Instead, users can access their e-mail using any computer
with their chosen POP e-mail client (such as Eudora,
Netscape Mail, Outlook Express, Mutt, and Pine). Every
major operating system has high quality POP clients.
The virtual POP service
enables your company to establish a dedicated system
at a low cost, saving your company money on a constant
Internet connection. With your virtual POP service,
you can establish as many e-mail accounts for your business
as you choose. Unlike e-mail aliasing, your mail is
stored on your Virtual Server. You can easily configure
your POP client (e.g. Eudora, Pegasus) to dial in through
your local access provider so you can read your mail.
Your company has flexibility,
because with the virtual POP service, you can create
as many e-mail addresses as you like. Without a virtual
POP service, you would have to purchase a commercial
gateway (e.g. with a Novell or Microsoft e-mail solution).
Or you would have to purchase multiple e-mail POP accounts
from your local access provider. Both solutions are
costly.
The virtual POP service
allows you to establish multiple e-mail addresses at
no extra charge. You can access all accounts with a
few dial-up accounts from your local access provider.
The virtual POP service can save you hundreds —
or even thousands — of dollars.
The Virtual Server IMAP
Service
Internet Message Access
Protocol (IMAP) is a method for accessing electronic
mail that is stored on a remote mail server (your Virtual Server). IMAP service permits a client e-mail program
to access remote message folders as if they were local.
For example, e-mail stored on an IMAP server can be
manipulated from a desktop computer at home, an office
workstation, or a traveling laptop computer, all without
the need to transfer messages or files back and forth
between each computer.
IMAP's ability to access
messages (both new and saved on the Virtual Server)
from more than one computer is important as reliance
on electronic messaging and multiple computer use increase.
Note: If the mail
is accessed from one server only, then the Post Office
Protocol (POP) works best. POP was designed to support
off-line messages (i.e., where you download messages
to your local computer and delete them from your Virtual Server).
The Virtual Server SMTP
Service
You can use the Simple
Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) service to send e-mail
across local networks or Internet connections. With
your virtual SMTP service (or "virtual mail service"),
you can use e-mail as a very useful business tool. Providing
e-mail access to your customers enables them to communicate
with your company instantly and without incurring long-distance
phone charges. Your company has the power to answer
your most urgent e-mail messages first. By doing so,
you foster relationships with both your existing and
potential customers.
Your virtual mail service
enables you to have e-mail addresses and aliases (simple
mailing lists) linked to your own domain. Your address
would be sales@yourcompany.com and not an extension
of your local access provider's domain name. The virtual
mail service can do the following with incoming mail:
- Forwards mail to your
personal e-mail account with your local access provider.
- Forwards and stores
mail in an existing POP account on your Virtual Server.
With unlimited e-mail
aliases, you can assign an e-mail address for customer
support, marketing, or your mother, all at no extra
cost. Aliases forward incoming mail to each address
residing on your Virtual Server or on remote accounts
established with your local access provider.
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