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There is no difference in the actual web content filtering itself between SmoothWall Guardian Solutions and DansGuardian. DansGuardian is the very best web content filtering engine available and; this is why SmoothWall uses the DansGuardian filtering technology. They use the best web content filter around and make it easy to use and maintain, while giving their customers the highest possible level of support. DansGuardian is used to test leading-edge functionality and we have a good group of testers in the DansGuardian users.

The first major functionality difference between SmoothWall's Commercial Solutions and DansGuardian is the reporting. SmoothWall includes comprehensive reporting (both real time and pre-calculated) and SmoothWall can now be used in conjunction with Crystal Reports, meaning that reporting is unlimited in that you can run any report you desire. No such reporting facilities are provided with DansGuardan but you can write, compile, or install ones provided by third parties.

SmoothWall comes with authentication against LDAP, RADIUS, Microsoft Active Directory and Novell eDirectory. DansGuardian users requiring authentication have to build or write their own solution.

SmoothWall Guardian now includes settings replication for clusters of Guardian boxes. No such facility comes with DansGuardian. Again, you would have to write your own.

SmoothWall's Guardian comes complete with everything you need including security hardened operating system and amazingly easy to use and friendly web based interface making the most complex of tasks simple.

DansGuardian is for those who are quite willing to construct their own system from a Unix-like server and maintain the box. Why would somebody who has the knowledge to download, update and configure the box do so when you can buy commercial software which does all the work for you? This argument is applicable to most Linux software. Doing it yourself is only cost effective if your own time has little value or you find it fun.

SmoothWall Guardian allows for the automatic updates of Phrase and URL Blocklists. With DansGuardian this is all done through manually editing entries in the config file and possibly with a script.

Updates for the commercial version are automatic with one click of your mouse. DansGuardian users have to download the latest version, recompile, download manually migrate all config settings and cross their fingers.

Installation is trivial with the SmoothWall version: You simply have to click the install button on the interface and all the configuration is then done via an easy-to-use web based interface. DansGuardian requires an understanding of Linux command lines, how to compile the software, how to edit config files and you have to understand all the technical aspects of proxies.

SmoothWall is a fully supported product. They have a Support Team offering free unlimited telephone and e-mail support throughout evaluations and for 30 days after purchase. They then offer support contracts for the life of the installation. They also have a global network of Resellers who can support your installation in your own time zone and language. DansGuardian users have to depend on a mailing list and if they run into problems they can only mail a question and hope that another DansGuardian user helps. DansGuardian comes without a warranty or guarantee so you're on your own if anything goes wrong. SmoothWall also comes with comprehensive online manuals and help built into the program itself.

If SmoothWall users find a bug our Support Team and technical staff will do their very best to fix it. DansGuardian users have to depend on themselves and other users for a solution although a member of the SmoothWall development team is likely to fix it in time.

SmoothWalls Corporate Solutions also allow for much greater flexibility in network security. In addition to Web Content Filtering they also provide Firewalls, Email Security, Bandwidth Management and more.