Preview of PacketFence v7 featuring database clustering, multi-cluster management, systemd integration, and Go language adoption.
The Inverse team is excited to share what’s coming in PacketFence v7! Building on our successful v6 release, version 7 will introduce transformative features for enterprise deployments.
Major Features Planned
Database Clustering
PacketFence v7 will implement MariaDB Galera Cluster technology, enabling distributed database copies across servers with automatic resynchronization capabilities. This provides:
- High availability for the database layer
- Automatic failover and recovery
- Improved scalability for large deployments
Multi-Cluster Management
A new centralized administrative interface will enable management of geographically dispersed PacketFence clusters. Administrators can:
- Oversee multiple clusters from a single pane of glass
- Push configuration changes across deployments
- Perform searches and generate reports across all clusters
Systemd Integration
Enhanced service management through systemd will provide:
- Improved process monitoring
- Better notification infrastructure
- Simplified service administration
Go Language Adoption
We’re progressively rewriting key services in Go, including:
- DNS resolution services
- DHCP listeners
- Performance-critical components
Go’s concurrency model and efficiency advantages will improve PacketFence’s overall performance.
IPv6 Support
Expanded IPv6 support will include:
- Endpoint quarantining over IPv6
- Web-based registration for IPv6 networks
- Full protocol support for modern network infrastructure
Interface Enhancements
A redesigned administrative web interface will feature simplified management modules and improved workflows.
Looking Forward
PacketFence v7 represents a significant evolution in our architecture and capabilities. We’re excited to bring these features to our community in 2017.
Happy holidays from the Inverse team!