Key improvements in this release: • Added automatic detection of weak SSH configurations • Implemented one-click remediation for common security issues • Enhanced firewall rule management with template support • Improved performance for large server deployments • Added support for Debian 12 and Ubuntu 22.04 This release also includes several bug fixes and stability improvements based on community feedback. We've also completely rewritten the documentation to make it more accessible for new users. Technical Details: SSH Hardening Improvements: - Automatic detection and remediation of weak ciphers and MAC algorithms - Implementation of key-only authentication with proper permissions - Disabling of root login and password authentication by default - Port change recommendations with collision detection Firewall Enhancements: - New template system for common server roles (web server, database, etc.) - Improved rule visualization and management - Integration with fail2ban for dynamic blocking - IPv6 support improvements Performance Optimizations: - Reduced CPU usage during scans by 40% - Parallel processing for multi-server deployments - Improved caching of security state We'd like to thank our community contributors who helped make this release possible. Special thanks to @securitydev, @linuxguru, and @networkpro for their significant code contributions and testing efforts.

Recent development milestones: • Completed support for Cisco IOS, Juniper Junos, and Arista EOS • Implemented real-time configuration validation • Built an extensible plugin system for custom network applications • Created a visual network topology mapper • Added support for automated compliance checking We're currently working on improving the UI/UX based on feedback from our alpha testers. The next phase will include support for additional network operating systems and enhanced automation capabilities. Technical Architecture: The nuipi platform consists of three main components: 1. API Layer: A unified API that abstracts the differences between network operating systems, providing a consistent interface for configuration management, monitoring, and automation. 2. Backend Services: A set of microservices that handle device discovery, configuration management, validation, and compliance checking. 3. UI Layer: A modern, responsive web interface that provides intuitive access to all platform features, including visual network topology, configuration editors, and monitoring dashboards. Upcoming Features: • Support for Cisco NX-OS, Cumulus Linux, and VyOS • Enhanced automation capabilities with event-driven workflows • Integration with popular monitoring systems • Advanced configuration templating with variables and conditions • Role-based access control with granular permissions We're targeting a limited public alpha release in Q1 2024, with a broader beta program to follow in Q2. If you're interested in participating in our testing program, please sign up on our website.

The contribution guidelines cover the following areas: • Development environment setup • Code style and formatting • Testing requirements and procedures • Documentation standards • Pull request process • Code review expectations • Security considerations We've also created a new 'good first issue' label in our GitHub repository to help new contributors find appropriate tasks to start with. These issues are selected to be relatively straightforward and well-defined, making them ideal for those who are new to the project. In addition to the guidelines, we've established a mentorship program where experienced contributors can guide newcomers through their first contributions. If you're interested in participating as either a mentor or mentee, please reach out to us on our community Slack channel. We believe that a strong, diverse community is essential for building high-quality open source software, and we're committed to making hardn as accessible and inclusive as possible. We welcome contributions from everyone, regardless of experience level or background, and we're excited to see what we can build together.