Infonet Services Corporation, a leader in providing global communications to multinational enterprises, and Cisco Systems, a leader in networking for the Internet, have announced that they are working together to expand Infonet`s global IP backbone for the delivery of high-performance, secure global IP VPN service over the public Internet.
Using Cisco`s IP VPN solutions, including multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) capabilities and IPSec technology in Cisco`s IOS, Infonet hopes to achieve increased scalability, reduced network costs, and the ability to offer more diversified network applications to its customers.
Infonet`s enhanced global IP VPN service will allow multinational enterprises to enjoy a lower total cost of ownership in running mission-critical, business-to-business applications and communications over the Internet, while realising the same level of performance and security obtained via a private network.
The new global IP VPN service, utilising Infonet`s Cisco Powered Network experience, is built on Cisco`s 12000 series gigabit switch router (GSR) for the optical IP networking core backbone, 7500 series and 7200 series routers for edge routing and a mix of Cisco 2500, 2600 and 3600 series routers for deployment at the customer premises.
In June 1999, Infonet began deploying the additional equipment and MPLS technology necessary for the new VPN solution including multiple Cisco 12008 GSRs, 7500 and 2600 series routers. The company will roll out the secure Internet VPN service in 21 countries beginning in March, with plans to expand service to 61 countries through 87 points of presence over the next two years.
The expansion will allow Infonet to offer to its customers a host of new value-added IP features including IP VPNs with IPSec encryption and PKI digital certification, as well as new services such as high speed managed Internet access.
With IPSec support now enabled on Cisco 2600/3600 series routers, Infonet can deploy secure end-to-end networking services for their enterprise customers by duplicating some of the characteristics of Infonet`s private network over the Internet.
``With IPSec, our customers can achieve industrial strength security and take advantage of the strongest encryption technologies available, such as DES and 3DES,`` says Doug Laurin, director of IP Business Services for Infonet. The Cisco 2600/3600 platforms support the full suite of Cisco VPN capabilities, including an integrated firewall, intrusion detection, and security auditing, thereby providing an ideal platform for enterprise customers seeking cost-effective VPN solutions.
"By deploying Cisco`s 12000 series GSR, Infonet is providing customers the industry`s market-leading carrier-class router that delivers the performance and services for building data optimised transport infrastructure. The 12000 series GSR provides an industry leading interface ranging from DS3, FE, GE, OC3/STM1 POS/ATM, OC12/STM4 POS/ATM and OC48 POS."
In addition to quality of service and scalability achieved with Cisco GSRs, Infonet believes the use of MPLS will allow it to scale the network to support tens of thousands of VPNs. MPLS also allows service providers to traffic engineer their VPN to ensure that latency sensitive traffic receives necessary network resources.
MPLS is an emerging IETF standard for highly scalable, value-added IP service delivery. MPLS labels provide the ability to differentiate service classes for individual data flows, ensuring privacy, QOS and any-to-any connectivity. Cisco is leading the industry in delivering MPLS- based solutions that enable New World services, such as VPNs with strong service level agreements (SLAs) business customers demand.
Infonet is represented in SA by Sunninghill-based EDS.
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