FAQs
Why do I need the Untangle Server? Why can't I just download the app I want?
Will Untangle run on a standard PC?
Is Untangle really free?
How can Untangle do all this?
Will Untangle work with my existing network infrastructure?
Do I need to use all of Untangle’s applications?
Why open source?
What's Free?
What do I need to get started?
What’s involved in the set-up?
Where in my network do I install the Untangle Server?
How do I get Untangle?
Who is Untangle?
Do I really need network security?
How does Untangle make any money?
How much does Untangle cost?
What channel programs are offered?
Does it cost anything to join?
How is Untangle different than others?
How does subscription licensing work, if I have multiple offices and want to install an Untangle Server with the Professional Package at each one?
What is the difference between PCs on the network versus employees?
Why do I need the Untangle Server? Why can't I just download the app I want?
All Untangle apps run on top of the Untangle Server, which includes Untangle’s operating system. This ensures that all apps are compatible with each other and can benefit from the platform’s features like common GUI, automatic updates, easy install / un-istall, logging and reporting.
Will Untangle run on a standard PC?
Yes, Untangle runs on Intel/AMD compatible x86 PCs. Adding a second NIC to most desktops late generation PIII or newer desktops will run Untangle. However, larger networks will require a bit more horsepower. A full description can be found in the hardware requirements wiki.
Is Untangle really free?
Yes, the Untangle Server and all of the open source applications are 100% free. The paid applications are not free. A clear overview of free vs. paid can be found on the product overview page.
How can Untangle do all this?
Well, to be honest, Untangle isn’t doing all of this. There’s no way a single company could develop all these applications and do them all well. We knew this early on and it was one of the key drivers that pointed us to open source software. We leverage the best open source projects and focus our energies on adding key features, making them easier to install and use, and integrating them all to run on one server. In turn, we open source our code so the community can grow and expand it.
Will Untangle work with my existing network infrastructure?
Yes, Untangle drops seamlessly behind your current firewall and/or router. You run the apps you want to. If you’re comfortable with the firewall or router you already have, run Untangle in transparent bridge mode to block spam and spyware. Already have an anti-spam appliance that you like, and just want to use Untangle for Web Filtering and VPN, that’s cool too. You choose.
Do I need to use all of Untangle’s applications?
Not at all. Use any combination of Untangle applications that you need. Applications can be turned on or off with just one click. You choose.
Why open source?
Well, it's really about providing the best network applications, and most happen to be open source. As a software company, we believe that open source methods are a better way to develop and deliver our own software. It’s certainly more transparent and holds us accountable to the community. Given its use of standards, it gives customers flexibility and protection from vendor lock-in. Further, it lets us leverage the expertise of the community to build a better product. And of course, the product could never be as full-featured as it is without using open source software. This in turn lets us deliver an amazing amount of commercial-grade functionality for free and a fully supported solution at dramatically lower prices than proprietary vendors.
What's Free?
About 95% of Untangle’s software is free under the GNU General Public License v2 (GPL v2). In a nutshell that means it's free to use, modify and even distribute. Specifically all the software in the Untangle Server, including applications like Web Filtering, Spam Blocking, Spyware and Virus Blocking, and VPN are free. You can check out the list on our Products Overview Page.
What do I need to get started?
Untangle can be deployed as a dedicated server.
For the dedicated server, you’ll need the downloadable ISO image, an Intel/AMD compatible PC and two NICs. (click here for hardware requirements)
What's involved in the set-up?
Untangle can be deployed as a dedicated server
Dedicated Server: You'll need to download the ISO image, burn it to a CD and then install it on an Intel/AMD compatible PC.
After installation, login, go through the brief configuration wizard, and select the applications you want to use, click to turn them on, and you’re good to go. Many customers first install their Untangle Server in Bridge to monitor their network. After a couple of weeks, they review the Untangle reports to decide which applications they want to run. The truth is, once they see the amount of virus, spam, phishing and spyware activity on their network, they run everything.
Check out the QuickStart Guide for Dedicated Servers -- it's a pdf.
Where in my network do I install the Untangle Server?
There are 2 network deployment options for the Untangle Server:
Router: Behind your cable or DSL modem where the server acts as the firewall and router
Transparent Bridge: Behind your existing router or firewall where the server acts as a bridge to the rest of your network
How do I get Untangle?
Download, download, download. Yep, we’re a software company. But if downloads aren't your thing, you can always contact one of our channel partners to build and install an Untangle Server on your network.
Who is Untangle?
Untangle is an open source software company located in San Mateo, CA. Our mission from the beginning is to simplify IT for small businesses. We're mostly made up of software developers with some "professional" management. With over 10,000 businesses and 500,000 people using Untangle we seem to be off to a good start.
Do I really need network security?
If you or your employees use email or the web than unfortunately, yes, your business needs network security. Gone are the days when hackers and online criminals went for the big targets. With new botnet malware every PC that’s connected to the network is a target to become part of that botnet and send spam or viruses on behalf of online criminals. This can bring your PCs performance to a crawl and use up increasingly expensive network bandwidth.
Or most commonly, unsuspecting employees will click on a website link that downloads viruses which spread to everyone on the network. Beyond performance and bandwidth usage issues these viruses can wipe out your data.
Fortunately with Untangle, network security is free. For smaller networks of 25 or less PCs, you don’t even have to buy hardware.
There really are no excuses for not protecting your network.
How does Untangle make any money?
Untangle sells commercial add-ons for advanced networks. These are sold as subscriptions.
Commercial Add-ons include live support, advanced management features and applications for additional security and remote access.
How much does Untangle cost?
Many will get everything they need for free, but with Commercial Add-ons starting at just $5/mo anyone can afford Untangle. The Super Bundle offers the best value overall and it starts at just $50 / month. Full price list available online.
What channel programs are offered?
Untangle offers tailored programs for VARs, Distributors and Managed Service Providers. With high margins, recurring revenue, outstanding support, generous market development funds and regular events to drive leads we’re proud to be the most channel-friendly vendor in the IT business.
Does it cost anything to join?
There is no cost to become an Untangle Reseller. If you've got customer with spam, spyware, web filtering or remote access needs, we'd love to work with you. However, you will need to invest in one discounted NFR subscription or the Professional Package in order to best serve your customers' interests. Please contact a sales representative to learn more about the NFR discount structure.
(866) 233-2296 x1
+1 (650) 425-3300 x1
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How is Untangle different than others?
Our main differentiator is that we're an open source software company. As a software company we can provide technology in the fastest and most flexible way. No need to wait for a sales rep to answer your call or UPS to deliver a demo unit. It costs no time or money to try Untangle. As an open source company we're fundamentally committed to transparency and accountability, in not just our software development but in all aspects of our operations.
We also take pride in our small business focus. We've seen the needs of businesses with 10 - 100 employees overlooked by the market. It's a hard market because budgets aren't big. We figured out a way to serve this market exclusively and profitably.
Most of all, we take seriously our reliance and commitment to our channel partners. There would be no business without you. Whether it's in our product re-branding features or the revolutionary online Store which lets partners purchase and manage clients' subscriptions, we continually strive to help our partners succeed. Literally, your success is our success.
How does subscription licensing work, if I have multiple offices and want to install an Untangle Server with the a paid subscription at each one?
The software license is governed by each Untangle Server and the network it services. We have
six pricing tiers based on the number of personal computers on the network. The tiers are 1 – 10, 11 – 50, and 51-150, 151-500,
501-1500, and 1500+.
Let’s look at an example:
You have a main office with 78 employees and two branch offices with 25 and 7 employees respectively. You install an Untangle Server in each office and want to run the Professional Package on all three servers. Your subscription would total $225/month broken out as follows:
• $150/mo for the main office with 78 employees (51 - 150 license)
• $50/mo for the branch office with 25 employees (11 – 50 license)
• $25 for the branch office with 7 employees (1 – 10 license)
Additional discounts are available for longer commitments.
Untangle also offers discounts for Education, Government, Non-Profit and Public
Sectors
What is the difference between personal computers on the network versus employees?
Untangle’s subscription licensing is by personal computers on the network. If your employees share a set of common computers, you should base your license on the number of computers, not the number of employees. Likewise, if your employees have more than one personal computer each, the license is still based on the total number of personal computers.
Have more questions? Check out our online documentation or forums . Or, email us a question.
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