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iCAP server

The iCAP Server is a software package that allows network integrators and service developers to easily develop value-added iCAP (Internet Content Adaptation Protocol defined in RFC 3507) services.

Targets

It is specifically designed for: Network integrators Service software vendors Gateway vendors

iCAP in brief

iCAP is a standardized, lightweight and extensible point-to-point protocol that effectively enables to process content depending on users' needs. iCAP is used to integrate services on traditional web proxies (Network Appliance, Bluecoat, Cisco, Squid...). It relies on a client/server architecture to process web traffic in an original way : (1) Traffic interception in core network (2) Diversion of specific content to a service platform (3) Content processing (4) Reinsertion of adapted content into Web traffic In combination with advanced setting rules, the iCAP client uses any information available on the device implementing it (e.g. end-user authentication information on a Web proxy) or on the Web traffic (URL, IP addresses, Web server name...); it diverts and processes only a small part of the Web traffic to deliver a specific list of services for each Web request/response pair.

iCAP server is a network-implemented API that empowers Web proxies with additional services. Examples of services developed with the iCAP server are: content filtering, URL filtering, antivirus, parental control ...

Compared with traditional architectures, which are based on embedded functions on proxies, it provides an attractive and economical alternative which is more scalable, upgradeable, robust and efficient.

Package features

France Télécom's iCAP Server software fits with professional environment requirements : Hot configuration system Enhanced and configurable logs Secured WEB management interface SNMP v2 support Concurrent services can be developed on the same iCAP server, thanks to an object oriented design. This accelerates return on investment. The iCAP Server software package includes the following: Installation package Installation and User's manual Guide API reference manual iCAP compliance of the software package was achieved going through a strict and formal process; interoperability with most iCAP clients was tested (Network Appliance, Bluecoat, Cisco, Squid...).

Benefits & advantages

Today, extensive customization is not possible with iCAP services that are available on-the-shelf. The iCAP server package uses all the native functions of the protocol; this allows concentrating on the development of the service. Accelerating developments and service deployment is made easy, thanks to a robust object oriented design and a simple API. The package brings efficient management on customized HTTP through-proxies traffic processing. Compared with traditional developments on dedicated proxies, the iCAP server ensures efficiency, flexibility and scalability: it accelerates developments while managing constraints as well as time to market and operational issues. It is a way to seamless and non intrusive integration of services on existing platforms.

Technical environment

The iCAP server can be installed on any mono or multi processor server with a Linux distribution, but we recommend RedHat AS 3.0 Update 3 based on a 2.4 Linux kernel. The following open source packages need to be pre-installed to run iCAP Server : - libicu-3.2-3.i386.rpm, - xerces-c-2.7.0-3.i386.rpm, - xalan-c-1.10.0-1.i386.rpm, - boost-1.32.0-6.i386.rpm, - libpqxx-2.2.3-1.1.el3.dag.i386.rpm, - libACE.so.5, - net-snmp-5.2.1.2-1.rh9.i386.rpm, - httpd-2.0.46-38.ent.i386.rpm or higher. User and installation guides are available with the iCAP server software package.

Add on

The following are available, on request to France Télécom : iCAP Zipper (on the fly content compression) iCAP Inserter (HTTP header insertion) iCAP LEP (Liberty compliant Single Sign-On component) ...