System Security

AcuServer includes a transparent layer of remote file access security. This security system allows you to configure AcuServer access to be as open or restrictive as suits your needs. AcuServer uses a site-configured server access file (database) to validate the access privileges of service requesters. Optional password protection allows you to assign each user an individual password, which the user must then supply to AcuServer when making an initial service request.

On a Windows NT, Windows 2000 to 2008 server, AcuServer system security is designed to work with files that reside on an NTFS (NT file system). (AcuServer can work with a FAT file system, but the files are less secure.) For NTFSs, you may set read and write access permissions on your files by using the Windows security features. Refer to your Windows documentation for more information about NTFSs and security procedures.

In addition, whether you are on UNIX or Windows, you have the option of implementing native system security rather than AcuServer system security. This option is described in more detail in Security Overview.

Encryption

AcuServer offers support for data encryption. For any given service requestor (client process), you can instruct AcuServer to encrypt all data exchanged with that requestor. The encryption option and how to enable it is described in detail in Encryption.

Note: The use of encryption can impose a significant performance cost. The performance cost is determined by the quantity of data being exchanged, the speed and bandwidth of the network, and the computational power of both the client and AcuServer host machines. If you plan to use encryption, you should test and benchmark your application with encryption enabled prior to deployment to ensure that performance meets your requirements.