Global data networking leader 3Com Corporation today announced the strengthening of the industry`s broadest selection of scalable Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions designed for Enterprise and Network Service Provider customers with the delivery of Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) and expanded IPsec (Internet Protocol security) support. With new software enhancements available on the NETBuilder product family and Total Control hub product lines, Enterprises and Network Service Providers (NSPs) can now build new or upgrade their existing networks to a standards-based VPN solution.
3Com`s flexible system of VPN Solutions allows for support in a variety of environments: mobile users and telecommuters; Virtual Leased Lines to branch offices; and Secure Extranets for connectivity to business partners. The solutions are also designed to enable Network Service Providers to provide VPN outsourcing services for customers who prefer to focus staff resources elsewhere and to lower the cost for branch office connectivity.
These solutions enable customers to expand geographic reach, lower capital costs, and deploy secure, reliable infrastructures that scale to the very largest infrastructures. As part of the newest software enhancements on the NETBuilder tunneling products and Total Control hub access products, L2TP-based solutions can be rolled out by both enterprise and service provider users wanting to upgrade their network to standards-based VPN infrastructures.
"3Com has deployed over 3.5 million VPN-ready ports worldwide which will now be able to support L2TP tunnels in addition to PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol). Our broad support for L2TP and IPsec will accelerate the deployment of standards-based VPNs in both Enterprise and NSP infrastructures," says Paul Ruinaard, 3Com SA`s Pre-Sales Manager. "An advantage of 3Com`s approach to delivering VPN solutions is that our solution can easily be integrated into existing multi-vendor networks. Further, our leadership in building highly reliable NSP remote access infrastructures, our ability to deliver complete solutions for both the mobile user and virtual leased line applications, and our strong participation in driving both PPTP and L2TP standards are barometers of our intention to ignite this market."
3Com VPN solutions were originally announced October 1997 as part of a road map for complete VPN systems. These solutions are the foundation for next-generation wide area and remote access corporate networks, enabling businesses to purchase cost-effective, secure public network-based alternatives to today`s conventional and more expensive dedicated leased-line and dial-up networks. This announcement signals the delivery of another component of 3Com`s road map of VPN solutions.
Standardizing with L2TP and IPsec Security L2TP, which is currently being adopted by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), is a standard for providing a network `tunnel` across WAN infrastructure while IPsec is a standard covering a range of security components including encryption, digital certificates and key management. Combined, IPsec and L2TP provide a standards-based secure WAN connection across public IP infrastructures. 3Com VPN solutions also support Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), the de facto standard prior to L2TP. Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98 and NT4.x clients support PPTP today, making it the nearly ubiquitous on non-UNIX machines. To further its reach as the industry standard for mobile user VPN connectivity, L2TP will be available as an option in Microsoft Windows NT 5.0 with a Microsoft Windows 98 client implementation to follow.
Ruinaard goes on to say that L2TP allows Network Service Providers (NSPs) to offer differentiated VPN service levels depending on the needs of the end-user. "Unlike other tunneling protocols, L2TP can also be run over a variety of WAN services, offering more versatility when deploying these advanced VPN solutions."
L2TP also affords increased security options for the end-user. As part of the L2TP specification, IPsec has been defined as the primary data security and encryption method. IPsec is currently shipping on NETBuilder products and with this announcement 3Com extends IPsec support to the Total Control multi-service access platform. Included in the set of IPsec security options are such features as tunneling, firewalls, encryption and the associated management and policy controls to provide industrial-strength, standards-based, VPN security. IPsec functions at the network layer by allowing IP nodes, clients, or servers to negotiate payload encryption methods and to conduct secure bilateral authentication. 3Com VPN solutions support this new, highly robust security standard.
Pricing and Availability
L2TP and IPsec are included in NETBuilder software release 11.1 and are currently shipping. Pricing is dependent upon software load and customer support package purchased. L2TP and IPsec for the Total Control platform are expected to be available next quarter in Total Control hub software release 3.5 with pricing dependent upon software load and customer support package purchased.
Editors Note
3Com Corporation enables individuals and organisations worldwide to stay more connected by communicating and sharing information and resources anytime, anywhere. As one of the world`s preeminent suppliers of data, voice and video communications technology, 3Com has delivered networking solutions to more than 200 million customers worldwide. The company provides large enterprise, small and medium enterprise, carriers and network service providers, and consumers comprehensive, innovative information access products and system solutions for building intelligent, reliable and high performance local and wide area networks. For further information, visit 3Com`s World Wide Web site at http://www.3Com.com or the press site at http://www.3Com.com/pressbox.
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