Front Panel

1. Introduction

Congratulations on purchasing your Syswan Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancer. The Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancers provides uninterrupted Internet connectivity for multiple computers for SOHO, SMB and corporate networks.

This chapter briefly describes the features of the Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancers with more detailed information in the chapters ahead.

Overview

The Syswan Technologies Octolinks SW88 high performance Multi WAN router ensures greater Internet availability by using up to 8 different broadband links. State of the art automatic redundancy and bandwidth load balancing technologies allows for fast, secure and reliable Internet connectivity and accommodates the growing bandwidth needs of any small-to-medium sized organization.

The scalable ports feature of the Octolinks SW88 allows for maximum bandwidth capacity ensuring that your network not only remains connected to the Internet, but all Internet traffic is constantly managed reliably and securely even during periods of high traffic and heavy workloads.

Syswan Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancer - Example Configuration

Maximize available bandwidth

The Octolinks SW88 can be set to use up to 8 out of the 16 ports to allow connection of up to 8 different broadband links, including xDSL, Cable, Satellite or Leased (T1) links. This unique design feature allows for intelligent load balancing to maximize the available bandwidth while managing and prioritizing traffic flow for fast and redundant Internet connectivity.

Easy to install and manage

The Octolinks SW88 is easy to configure locally or remotely using your Internet browser via a standard (HTTP) or a secure management interface (HTTPS). Built-in NAT, SPI Firewall, DHCP server, URL Blocking and Access Filters amongst other security options provide the highest industry standards to easily build a fast, reliable and secure network configuration. With its easy-to-use Configuration Interface, you can set Alerts to be sent via email, System Logs to be sent to a Syslog server, as well as monitor network activity via SNMP.

Ensure Quality of Service (QoS)

The advanced QoS architecture of the Octolinks SW88 offers ultimate industry standard bandwidth management which improves the Quality of Service available to your network users for VoIP or other mission critical applications.

Flexible configurations

The flexible network configuration capabilities of the Octolinks SW88 allows it to be used in networks which support Static Routing, RIP or Dynamic Routing. With UPnP you can automatically open and close networking ports as required by certain applications. QoS helps give priority to critical traffic on your network taking advantage of the maximum available bandwidth at all times. With these powerful features, the Octolinks SW88 can be quickly and easily integrated into any network.

As more people rely on the Internet for communication, so too does the need to rely on scalable, secure and fast Internet connectivity. This means that there is no longer the need to limit your Internet needs with just one ISP. The Octolinks SW88 resolves this issue by maximizing the benefits of up to 8 different ISP’s while minimizing the need for costly upgrades, complex networking equipement or changes in existing network infrastructure.

Main Features

·         Intelligent Load Balancing

Use up to eight (8) WAN ports simultaneously to increase the available bandwidth. Set the load balancing values for each WAN port individually and configure the load balancing algorithm to work by IP numbers, Packets, Bytes or Sessions to suit your needs.

·         Multiple Connection Options

Use broadband access from any broadband provider including Leased links (T1). All standard xDSL, Cable and Satellite modems and connection methods are supported, including Fixed IP, Dynamic IP, PPPoE, multiple-session PPPoE and PPTP.

·         Secure Management

Secure access to the configuration interface locally from within your network or remotely via the Internet.

·         SPI Firewall

The industry standard protection for any network using built-in advanced Stateful Packet Inspection technology against malicious attacks.

·         Access Filters and URL Blocking

Controls Internet access and available applications for network users. Up to ten user groups can be defined with each group assigned different access rights.

·         Multi DMZ

Supports up to 8 Static IP Addresses per WAN port.

·         Virtual Servers

Allows remote users to access servers on your network. Easily enable standard services such as Web, FTP or Email or define your own servers and services.

·         Special Applications

Manage applications which do not directly work behind a firewall (example: online games).

·         Dynamic DNS

Allows the use of a Domain Name even when a fixed IP Address is not available.

·         QoS (Quality of Service)

Gain control over critical applications by assigning priority to your network traffic. This function will make specified packets with higher priority for pass-through before low priority packets. This is useful if you use real-time applications like Internet phone, video conference,. etc.

UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)

By enabling UPnP (Universal Plug & Play), the Duolinks SW24 Series Load Balancer will become one of the network devices. Useful for discovery and control of network devices, such as Internet gateways.

Internet Sharing Features

·        Shared Broadband Internet Access

LAN users can access the Internet through the Syswan Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancer by sharing up to eight (8) Broadband modems and connections.

·        Supports all common Connection Methods

All popular DSL, Cable Modems and connection methods are supported, including Fixed IP, Dynamic IP, PPPoE, and PPTP.

·         PPPoE Session Management

Multiple PPPoE sessions are supported. You can choose to “map” sessions to individual PCs.

·         Multiple IP Address Support

If your ISP allocates multiple IP addresses, you can “map” up to eight (8) public IP addresses to individual PCs.

·        Special Applications

This feature allows you to use some non-standard applications, where the port number used for the response is different to the port number used by the sender.

·        Virtual Servers

This feature allows Internet users to access Internet servers on your LAN. For standard servers such as Web, FTP or E-Mail servers, only the IP address of the server PC is required. Optionally, you can also define you own Server types.

·        Multiple DMZ

A "DMZ" PC will receive incoming connection requests, which would otherwise be blocked. For each IP address allocated by your ISP, a separate "DMZ" PC can be specified. So if your ISP has given you multiple IP addresses, you can have multiple “DMZ” PCs. Each “DMZ” PC has unrestricted 2-way Internet access, providing the ability to run programs that are otherwise incompatible with NAT routers (like the Syswan Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancer).

·        Access Filter

The Network Administrator can use the Access Filter to gain fine control over Internet access and applications available to LAN users. Ten (10) user groups are available, and each group can have different access rights.

·        URL Filter

This feature blocks LAN users from accessing undesirable web sites. You can even have different settings for different groups of PCs.

·        Session Limit

With the Session Limit feature, if the numbers of new sessions for the system exceeds the maximum sampling time, any new session in the system will be dropped.

·        System Filter Exception

This feature ensures that every packet with an unrecognized port will be rejected so as to prevent access to port scanning programs from hackers. However, in some situations this may incur problems with some servers (e.g. SMTP server port 113) or WAN clients who require a response packet to verify the availability of their communication peers.

Other Features

·        16-Port Ethernet Switch

The Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancers incorporate a 16 port 10/100 Mbps Ethernet Switch of which up to 8 ports can be defined as WAN ports for easy integration into an existing network.

·        DHCP Server

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol provides a dynamic IP address to PCs and other devices upon request. The Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancers can act as DHCP Servers and provide dynamic IP addresses to PCs and devices on your local LAN.

·        Multi Segment LAN Support

LANs containing one or more segments are supported, via the Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancer's built-in static routing table and “LAN Any IP” options.

·        ARP proxy

The ARP proxy feature allows you to assign an external (Internet) IP address to the Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancer's LAN port. This allows servers on your LAN to have external (Internet) IP addresses.

·        Easy Setup

Use your favorite web browser for configuration.

·        Secure SSL access

The Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancers offer secure HTTPS (SSL) encryption by defaut when accessing the management GUI. You may optionally deactivate this feature and use a classic (HTTP) access if needed.

·        Remote Management

The Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancer can be managed from any PC on your LAN. If an Internet connection exists, it can also (optional) be configured via the Internet.

·        Password protected Configuration 

Optional password protection is provided to prevent unauthorized users from modifying the configuration data and settings.

·        HTTPS (SSL) or HTTP Firmware Upgrade and backup

The web management feature allows you to use HTTPS or HTTP upgrade new firmware and backup system configuration from local or remote sites. This is enabled via “Remote upgrade” and “Remote setup” options available on the Admin Setup page.

·        Email Alerts

It will send a warning email to the system administrator, if one of the WAN ports was disconnected when both WAN ports are enabled.

·        Syslog

Generates real time system information on a web page or sends system logs to a syslog server. Useful for monitoring the device.

·        Scheduled Events

The Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancer can be set to automatically reboot once a day at a user specified time.

Package Contents

The following items should be included with your purchase:

·        Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancer

·        Power cable

·        Quick Installation Guide

·        CD-Rom containing the user guides and tools.

·        Rack mounts (19”1U).

If any of the above items are damaged or missing, please contact your dealer immediately.

Product Details

Syswan Octolinks SW88 Series Load Balancer Front Panels

Operation of the Front Panel LEDs is as follows:

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