Cisco Systems has announced a complete network-based IPsec Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution. Based on the new Cisco VPN 5000 concentrator and client, the VPN platform securely connects remote users and branches to their corporate networks and business partners across the Internet.
Cisco`s VPN 5000 solution brings service providers a new revenue generating opportunity by allowing them to offer their customers a single, secure solution for both remote access, and intranet and extranet VPNs from a variety of client platforms.
With an increasing number of businesses using the public Internet as part of their network infrastructure, IP VPNs have become an important alternative to leased lines and modem access. According to international research company, Yankee Group, IP-based VPNs will be used by 70 percent of all companies, for up to 90 percent of their data communications needs by 2003.
"In the New World, companies are achieving dramatic reductions in operating costs by utilising network-based VPN solutions," said Raymond Janse van Rensburg, systems engineer for security at Cisco Systems Southern Africa. "By outsourcing VPN services, enterprises can focus on their core competencies while leaving the issues of installation, security and management to the service provider. For the service provider, the new Cisco VPN 5000 series offers unparalleled security and increased revenue-generating opportunities."
A combination of features unique to the Cisco VPN 5000 series offers service providers flexibility and ease of use. With the broadest client platform support in the industry, the Cisco VPN 5000 series allows service providers to offer their customers a wide range of accessibility, enabling connections from almost any workstation operating system. A license to brand and distribute IPsec VPN client software is included with all VPN 5000 products at no cost. In addition, the Cisco VPN 5000 series is the only client-based VPN solution available today, supporting Windows 95/98/NT/2000, MacOS, Linux and Solaris - allowing service providers to increase revenue by supporting a broader range of enterprise customers.
The Cisco VPN 5000 series includes three separate offerings to meet the needs of a broad range of service providers and customers. The 5001 has been specifically designed for deployment on the customer`s premise. The carrier-class 5002 and 5008 are modular platforms enabling service providers to scale their VPN offerings and provide a full range of global connectivity options. The 5002 and 5008 are the first IPsec VPN solutions designed specifically for network-based IP VPN deployments. When placed at the edge of a service providers` network, the Cisco VPN 5002 and 5008 concentrators allow for both remote access and site-to-site access - saving significant time and money in implementing and managing the network.
The Cisco VPN 5000 series also includes a simple user interface which `pushes` security policy and access control to the VPN client automatically - eliminating the need for service providers to pre-configure each VPN client or for end-users to establish their own settings. With a thin client, the Cisco VPN 5000 series is the only VPN client in the industry that is easy for end-users to download and install with minimal risk of configuration errors.
Share
Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. The South African office was started in late 1994, with a single office in Johannesburg and two members of staff. Growing significantly year-on-year, Cisco is now represented in all major South African centres by local offices and/or partner organisations.
The South African team offers support in sales, pre-sales, marketing and promotions as well as a pre-sales helpdesk. By breaking the team into these segments, it allows Cisco to focus on the unique requirements of each target market, so that it can ensure that it is providing its individual customers with products and services that meet their needs.
Cisco news and information are available at http://www.cisco.com