Netscape(TM) Communications Software

WebFORCE(TM) Software Environment

Netscape Communications' Netscape Navigator(TM) and Netsite(TM) server software, part of the WebFORCE(TM) software environment from Silicon Graphics, bring secure communications, high performance, and point-and click simplicity to companies and individuals who want to access or create information services on global networks. Netscape Navigator and Netsite offer easy-to-use interfaces for serving and accessing multimedia and hypermedia information on the net, including formatted text, graphics, audio, and video. Together, they make commerce and information exchange on the Internet as simple as point-and-click.

Netscape Navigator
With Netscape Navigator software, you no longer have to be a technical wizard to exchange information and conduct commerce on the Internet. Netscape Navigator contains a graphical interface and hyperlinks that enable you to navigate the Internet's vast array of networked resources simply by clicking on a highlighted word or image with a mouse. Netscape Navigator is also integrated into the Silicon Graphics® Indigo Magic(TM) User Environment.

Netscape Navigator integrates all major Internet functions under one simple, easy-to-learn-and-use interface. It features several improvements over other HTTP-compatible browsers.

It's fast. Netscape's primary design objective is to optimize client performance using 14.4kb modems, so real people can access the Internet over standard phone lines. And if you cruise the net over higher capacity lines, performance gains will be substantially greater.

It's secure. As you explore the Internet, you'll find a world of information, products, and services. Netscape provides integrated security, so transactions with servers across the net can be fully protected against hackers and eavesdroppers.

The Netsite line includes two software products available for UNIX® based platforms: Netsite Communications Server(TM) and Netsite Commerce Server(TM). Both are based on the open-standard HTTP protocol.

Netsite Communications Server
Netsite Communications Server, available from Silicon Graphics, is the ideal server for the delivery of on-line marketing materials, customer support information, or communication among employees. The Communications Server has two fundamental advantages over other HTTP compatible servers:

It's efficient. Netsite programs are designed to scale, serving the needs of the fast-growing Internet. Because it includes a redesigned, more efficient process model, Netsite provides better performance and increases the value of your investment in hardware and communications infrastructure.

It's easy. QuickStart installation gets you up and running in minutes, with configuration and maintenance through intuitive, on-line forms.

Netsite Communications Server does provide HTTP/1.0 access authorization, enabling easy set-up of password access to specified documents. It does not support the Commerce Server's advanced security features.

Netsite Commerce Server
Netsite Commerce Server, available as an upgrade from Netscape Communications, makes electronic commerce a reality by allowing on-line transactions and electronic exchange of sensitive information with confidence and security. Using server authentication and data encryption, Netsite Commerce Server integrates the key features needed to conduct commerce on public networks. Netsite Commerce Server delivers the same power, efficiency, and ease of configuration and maintenance as Netsite Communications Server.

Sell merchandise, accept credit cards on-line, and display sensitive information knowing that only authorized users can view it. The Netsite Commerce Server program's advanced security system will protect you and your users. It uses HTTP/1.0 access authorization to request usernames and passwords and encapsulates the data using public key cryptographic technology from RSA Data Security Inc.

This secure approach consists of two advanced features: encryption, which protects the privacy of client/server communications by encrypting the data stream between the two entities, and server authentication, which uses a certificate and a digital signature to verify the legitimacy of the server.

Technical Specifications

Netsite Communications Server and Netsite Commerce Server software:
  • All HTTP-compatible clients supported
  • Backward compatibility with NCSA httpd., speaks industry-standard HTTP/1.0 protocol, and serves HTML documents
  • Advanced security (Commerce Server only), based upon public key cryptographic technology from RSA Data Security Inc., including:
  • Encryption which protects the privacy of client/server communications by encrypting the data stream between the two entities
  • Server authentication which uses a certificate and a digital signature to verify the identity of the server
  • CGI/1.1-compliant
  • DNS and IP address based access control
  • HTTP/1.0 access authorization
  • Client accesses logged in common logfile format
  • Server restarts or log files rotate with SIGHUP
  • Multiple log files which can restrict logging from certain hosts
  • Flexible, native imagemap setup
  • User public information directories (UNIX® users)
  • Allow user databases other than /etc/passwd or NIS map
  • Can be pre-loaded to save network or disk bandwidth
  • Common indexing format for directories
  • Customized error messages
  • Custom document signatures
  • Simplified installation, configuration, and maintenance, through intuitive, on-line forms
  • Simplified installation, configuration, and maintenance, through intuitive, on-line forms
  • Increased performance, including faster response times
  • Increased load capacity and system load limitation through the creation of a configurable number of recyclable processes
  • Server configuration control per-directory, per-file, by shell wildcard pattern, or using templates (such as all user directories)
  • Streamlined server-parsed HTML
  • Symbolic link searches that are friendly to automounter
  • Document root and virtual-to-physical mappings
  • Configurable symbolic links and hard links
  • MIME typing through filename extensions
  • DBM hashed file format used for high-capacity user database
  • Designed for scalability to meet demands of increased traffic and extensibility to incorporate additional modules
  • Netscape Product Requirements
  • Netscape Navigator(TM) runs on any Silicon Graphics® workstation
  • Netsite(TM) server software runs on all Silicon Graphics systems
  • IRIX(TM) operating system, version 5.3
  • Connection to any TCP/IP network

  • For information about purchasing Netscape Communications Software:

    N. America Sales/Service Locations
    International Sales/Service Locations
    International Distributors