View source for Smoothwall

{{Multiple issues|
{{NPOV|date=December 2023}}
{{Advert|date=January 2024}}
}}
{{Short description|Firewall Linux distribution}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}{{Infobox OS
| name                   = Smoothwall
| logo                   = Smoothwall logo.svg
| logo_caption           = Smoothwall logo as of 2019
| caption                = 
| family                 = [[Linux]] ([[Unix-like]])
| source model           = [[Open-source software|Open source]]
| latest preview version = 3.1 RC5<ref name="smoothwall.orgRC5">{{cite web |url=http://www.smoothwall.org/news/smoothwall-express-31-release-candidate-5-available-for-testing/ |title=Smoothwall Express 3.1 Release Candidate 5 available for testing |publisher=Smoothwall.org |date=2014-04-15 |access-date=2014-05-17 |archive-date=2014-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707111758/http://www.smoothwall.org/news/smoothwall-express-31-release-candidate-5-available-for-testing |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| ui                     = [[Web user interface]]
| license                = Various
| website                = {{url|smoothwall.org}}
| kernel_type            = [[Linux kernel|Linux]] 2.6.16.53 (stable) / 3.4 (unstable)
| working_state          = Current
}}

'''Smoothwall''' (formerly styled as '''SmoothWall''') is a [[Linux distribution]] designed to be used as an [[Open-source software|open source]] [[firewall (computing)|firewall]]. Smoothwall is configured via a web-based [[Graphical user interface|GUI]] and requires little or no knowledge of [[Linux]] to install or use.

'''Smoothwall''' is also a private software company based in the UK who specializes in the development of web content filtering, safeguarding and internet security solutions, which also maintains the SmoothWall [[Open-source software|open source]] project.

==History==

Smoothwall began life as Smoothwall GPL in 2000 as a freely redistributable piece of open source software. In 2001, they released a proprietary version that is currently the primary distribution of the software containing extra features. Smoothwall still maintains its open source version with Smoothwall Express (latest release V3.1 in 2014). Smoothwall's filtering and safeguarding products are typically sold into educational organizations and businesses.

In 2017, Smoothwall announced a management buyout backed by private equity fund, Tenzing. The new management team was led by Georg Ell, previously Director of Western Europe at [[Tesla, Inc.|Tesla]], who was appointed as Group CEO in May 2018. Georg was joined by existing Board members Gavin Logan, Douglas Hanley and Manprit Randhawan in the management of the Smoothwall business, along with Lisa Stone, who took the position as chairperson.

On 5 August 2021, Tenzing announced<ref name="tenzingexit">{{Cite web |date=August 5, 2021 | title=Tenzing exits Smoothwall generating a 5.6x return |url=https://tenzing.pe/news/tenzing-exits-smoothwall-generating-a-56x-return/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806100539/https://tenzing.pe/news/tenzing-exits-smoothwall-generating-a-56x-return/ |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |access-date=September 23, 2021}}</ref> they had agreed to sell their investment in Smoothwall to Australian security firm [[Family Zone Cyber Safety]] for [[Pound sterling|£]]75.5 million ([[Australian dollar|A$]]142m cash consideration.)<ref name="familyzoneannounce">{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2021 | title=FAMILY ZONE ACQUIRES SMOOTHWALL, THE LEADING UK K-12 DIGITAL SAFETY SOLUTIONS PROVIDER & LAUNCHES A FULLY UNDERWRITTEN $146 MILLION CAPITAL RAISING |url=https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/hubfs/416543/Smoothwall-Acquisition-and-$146M-Capital-Raising.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816192753/https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/hubfs/416543/Smoothwall-Acquisition-and-$146M-Capital-Raising.pdf |archive-date=August 16, 2021 |access-date=September 23, 2021}}</ref> The deal was completed on 17 August 2021, with a £10.5m deferred balance of the sale price paid on 1 September 2021.<ref name="familyzonecomplete">{{Cite web |date=September 2, 2021 | title=Smoothwall Acquisition Update |url=https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/hubfs/416543/Smoothwall-Acquisition-Update.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923224026/https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/hubfs/416543/Smoothwall-Acquisition-Update.pdf |archive-date=September 23, 2021 |access-date=September 23, 2021}}</ref>

==Smoothwall Express==

'''Smoothwall Express''', originally ''Smoothwall GPL'', is the freely distributable version of Smoothwall, developed by the Smoothwall Open Source Project team and members of Smoothwall Ltd.<ref>[http://www.linux.com/articles/113963 Review: SmoothWall Express 2.0 | Linux.com | The source of Linux information]</ref><ref>[http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=5897 Review: SmoothWall Express 2.0 Final], OSNews</ref><ref>[http://www.linux.com/articles/154568 Protecting networks with SmoothWall Express | Linux.com | The source of Linux information]</ref><ref>[https://www.techradar.com/news/6-best-free-linux-firewalls-of-2017 6 best free Linux firewalls of 2017 | TechRadar]</ref><ref>[https://www.linuxjournal.com/content/smoothwall-express Smoothwall Express | Linux Journal]</ref><ref>[https://www.tomsguide.com/us/review-smoothwall,review-353.html Review: SmoothWall Express 2.0], Tom's Guide</ref><ref>[http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Operating-Systems/Linux-Distributions/SmoothWall-893.shtml Download SmoothWall Express 3.1 SP4], Softpedia Linux</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/download/security/smoothwall-express-30-940/ |title=SmoothWall Express 3.0 - Security - Downloads - Tech Advisor |access-date=2018-06-10 |archive-date=2018-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140232/https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/download/security/smoothwall-express-30-940/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[https://news.softpedia.com/news/Free-Linux-Based-Firewall-Smoothwall-Express-3-1-Is-One-of-the-Biggest-Release-in-Years-461832.shtml Free Linux-Based Firewall Smoothwall Express 3.1 is One of the Biggest Releases in Years], Softpedia News</ref><ref>[https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/diy-it-guy/diy-smoothwall-express-a-free-firewall-distribution/ DIY: SmoothWall Express, a free firewall distribution - TechRepublic]</ref><ref>[https://www.heise.de/ct/artikel/Die-Firewall-von-CD-288060.html SmoothWall als ISDN/DSL-Firewall | c't Magazin - Heise] {{in lang|de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://linuxbsdos.com/2009/09/05/the-best-linux-bsd-firewall-and-router-distributions/ |title=The best Linux, BSD firewall and router distributions {{!}} LinuxBSDos.com |access-date=2018-06-10 |archive-date=2018-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143554/http://linuxbsdos.com/2009/09/05/the-best-linux-bsd-firewall-and-router-distributions/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2170250,00.asp |title=Make a Super-Powered Firewall - 15 Ways to Reinvent Your PC {{!}} PCMag.com |access-date=2018-06-10 |archive-date=2018-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140059/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2170250,00.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Released in August 2000, Smoothwall GPL was developed by Lawrence Manning and Richard Morrell to provide a quick and easy-to-use solution to the problem of sharing their [[Integrated Services Digital Network|ISDN]] connections with the rest of their [[Local area network|LAN]]. Created using [[Red Hat Linux]], Smoothwall GPL originally had two simple functions: control the modem to dial and hang up, and to route [[Internet protocol suite|TCP/IP]] packets from the LAN to the Internet connection, and back again. The LAN was hidden from the public network by [[Network address translation|NAT]], applied using [[ipchains]].

Beginning with 0.9 in August 2000, the Smoothwall GPL 0.9.x series went through several versions based on the 2.2 Linux [[Kernel (operating system)|kernel]], culminating in 0.9.9 SE in December 2001, which was probably the most popular GPL release.  Each release led to a number of improvements, including [[Port address translation|PAT]] (port address translation), [[DMZ (computing)|DMZ]], [[Public switched telephone network|PSTN]] and ISDN dial-up support, broadband ([[ADSL]] and [[Cable internet|Cable]]) support.

Smoothwall GPL 1.0 was released in December 2002, including all previously released patches and security fixes, and ended development of the 0.9.x/1.0 series, although it was supported by errata updates for another year and a half.<!-- This needs to be brought up to date. -->

==Smoothwall Limited==
{{Infobox company
| name = Smoothwall Limited
| logo = Smoothwall Logo 2019.jpg
| logo_caption = Smoothwall Logo 2019
| type = [[Private limited company]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|2001|10|03}}<ref name="CompaniesHouse" />
| hq_location = Leeds
| hq_location_country = England, UK<ref name="CompaniesHouse" />
| revenue = {{Decrease}} [[Pound sterling|£]]13,188,031<ref name="Acc2023">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-03 |title=Full accounts made up to 30 June 2023 |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04298247/filing-history/MzQwNTAzMTY0MGFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=[[Companies House]]}}</ref>
| revenue_year = 2023
| net_income = {{Ubl
| {{Increase}} -£2,846,770 (2023)<ref name="Acc2023" />
| -£6,085,434 (2022)<ref name="Acc2023" />
}}
| website = {{URL|https://smoothwall.com}}
}}

In late 2001, Manning and Morrell, with George Lungley, formed Smoothwall Limited as a UK-registered [[private limited company]].<ref name="CompaniesHouse">{{Cite web |date=2001-10-03 |title=Smoothwall Limited overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04298247 |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=[[Companies House]] |language=en}}</ref> The company was formed to take the open source software and commercialise it, by expanding the software to include corporate and enterprise oriented functionality, and to provide dedicated [[Technical support|support]] staff for customers to contact.

Now based in Yarfort, with a [[United States|USA]] office in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]], the company has continued to develop the commercial, [[closed source]] Smoothwall product range, while moving from its initial direct sales model to a reseller, channel-based sales model.

===Past Products===

Smoothwall Server Edition was the first product from Smoothwall Ltd., released on 11 November 2001.  It was essentially Smoothwall GPL 0.9.9 with support included from the company.  This was &mdash; as were virtually all future products &mdash; made available to purchase on [[CD-ROM]] directly from Smoothwall Ltd. by mail order.

Initially announced in January 2002, and priced at £30, but never released,<ref name="news home server">{{cite web| title = Home Server Nearing Release, Screenshots Released| url = http://smoothwall.co.uk/news/item/20020109.02.html| date = 2002-01-09| access-date = 2007-02-25| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020214001153/http://smoothwall.co.uk/news/item/20020109.02.html| archive-date = 2002-02-14}}</ref> Smoothwall Home Server was an aborted attempt to tap into the home and residential market.  It used the open source platform again as a base but included SmoothGuard, and would have permitted customers to make email support requests directly from Smoothwall Ltd.

Released on 17 December 2001, Smoothwall Corporate Server 1.0 was the first in a long line of separate, closed source releases from Smoothwall Ltd.  Forked from Smoothwall GPL 0.9.9SE, Corporate Server included additional features such as [[SCSI]] support, and the capability to increase functionality via add-on modules.  These modules included SmoothGuard (content filtering proxy), SmoothZone (multiple [[DMZ (computing)|DMZ]]) and SmoothTunnel (advanced VPN features).  Corporate Server was designed to become the backbone of all future products from the company, with the module functionality permitting customers to select the exact level of functionality they required.  Further modules have been released over time, each providing a particular set of functionality, such as [[traffic shaping]], and [[email]] [[Antivirus software|anti-virus]] and [[Anti-spam techniques (e-mail)|anti-spam]].

After Daniel Barron, author of [[DansGuardian]], joined the company in April 2002, a variant of Corporate Server called Smoothwall Corporate Guardian was released, integrating a fork of DansGuardian called SmoothGuardian.  Corporate Guardian is a stand-alone web proxy, cache and filtering solution.  SmoothGuardian was also made available as a stand-alone module for Corporate Server customers, replacing the SmoothGuard module.

School guardian was created as a variant of corporate guardian, adding [[Active Directory]]/[[Lightweight Directory Access Protocol|LDAP]] [[authentication]] support and firewall features in a package designed specifically for use in schools.

When released on 13 June 2005, version 4 of Corporate Server was renamed to Corporate Firewall. In February 2008, Corporate Guardian was renamed to Network Guardian with the release of the 2008 version.

Released on 9 May 2005, Smoothwall Advanced Firewall targeted the enterprise market directly by bundling Corporate Server with all available add-on modules, and adding further functionality, including Active Directory, [[eDirectory]] & LDAP authentication and the capability to use up to 20 network interfaces with external connection load balancing.

In April 2007, the company released the SmoothGuard UTM-1000<ref name="utm pc pro review">{{cite web| title = Product Reviews: Smoothwall UTM-1000| url = http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/125403/smoothwall-smoothguard-1000utm.html| date = January 2002| access-date = 2008-02-10}}</ref> [[Software appliance#Commercial software appliances|hardware appliance]], based on a commodity [[Intel Corporation|Intel]] [[Core 2 Duo]] 1[[Rack unit|U]] 19-inch [[19-inch rack#Equipment mounting|rack-mountable]] chassis.  The UTM-1000 came pre-installed with a variant of Smoothwall Advanced Firewall.

==Awards==

* Reader's vote, ''[[Linux Format]]'', Best Security Tool, 2001.<ref name="award lxf 2001">{{cite web| title = Smoothwall Voted Best Security Tool In Linux Format Awards| url = http://community.smoothwall.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2411| date = 2002-04-26| access-date = 2007-02-25| archive-date = 2006-10-13| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061013171913/http://community.smoothwall.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2411| url-status = dead}}</ref>
*''Supplier of the Year'' - Highly Commended, Education Resources Awards, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.besa.org.uk/news/education-resources-awards-finalists-2017/|title=Education Resources Awards Finalists 2017|website=BESA|date=16 February 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-28}}</ref>
*''Cyber Security - Software and Technology Excellence Awards'', Worldwide Business Review, 2017.{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Free and open-source software}}
* [http://www.smoothwall.com Smoothwall Limited]
*http://www.smoothwall.org {{DistroWatch|smoothwall|SmoothWall Express}}
* Computer Reseller News: [http://www.crn.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=175802703 Advancing Firewall Protection] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316172841/http://www.crn.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=175802703 |date=2012-03-16 }} (2006-01-09)
* Network Computing: [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927033209/http://www.networkcomputing.com/article/printFullArticle.jhtml?articleID=193003671 Rollout: Smoothwall's Corporate Guardian 5] (2006-09-28)
* Information Week: [http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=197001131 Build This Cheap But Effective Firewall] (2007-01-29)
{{linux-distro}}
{{Routing software}}
{{Firewall software}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smoothwall}}
[[Category:X86-64 Linux distributions]]
[[Category:Firewall software]]
[[Category:Free routing software]]
[[Category:Content-control software]]
[[Category:Gateway/routing/firewall distribution]]
[[Category:Linux distributions]]