Shiva Corporation today announced VantagePath Network Gateway, a high-performance remote access device for virtual private networking (VPN).
The new product terminates encrypted tunnels established for private data transport over public networks such as the Internet. It allows corporations to realize the cost benefits of VPN-based remote access, and enables carriers and service providers to expand their offerings by deploying remote access services.
VantagePath Network Gateway extends Shiva's award-winning remote access operating system with VPN extensions into a solid, market-tested platform.
"The VantagePath family raises Shiva's product competitiveness to a whole new level," said John Morency, director of the Network Industry Practice for The Registry. "With the introduction of the VantagePath Network Gateway, Shiva is providing solid investment protection for service providers who have successfully deployed products such as the LanRover Access Switch within their networks and now need to offer bold new services such as Virtual Private Data Networks, a service idea whose time is rapidly arriving."
VantagePath Network Gateway is part of Shiva's new VantagePath family of products and services for enabling business-quality connections over public data networks (see today's related release). Combined with the VantagePath Access Concentrator (see September 29, 1997 release), Shiva is providing an end-to-end VPN solution that can be integrated with existing Shiva direct-dial remote access implementations.
James L. Zucco, Jr., Shiva president and COO, commented, "We see a desire by corporations to begin piloting VPN technology in the short term. Shiva's strategy is to facilitate the trial of this new technology by delivering a comprehensive set of products and services that allow corporations to integrate VPN-based remote access into existing direct-dial implementations. This way, organizations can continue the use of their current remote access solutions while they determine where it makes the most sense to deploy VPNs.''
The evolution from direct-dial remote access to access via the Internet
VantagePath Network Gateway allows customers to deploy VPNs within a proven infrastructure, including running in the same hardware chassis with the same management of users and passwords and integrated security/accounting. With tunneling support, full security, accounting, and data encryption, VantagePath Network Gateway is a secure, multi-protocol solution for remote access via public data networks.
Tunneling - Release 1.0 supports tunneling via Layer 2 Forwarding (L2F)and multi-protocol IP and IPX dial-in for 100 concurrent sessions. Because VantagePath Network Gateway is based on a modular architecture, similar to that of the LanRover Access Switch and LanRover D56, it is easily modified as standards such as Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) evolve and as support for a higher level of concurrent sessions becomes available.
Security and Management - VantagePath Network Gateway offers a range of security options including industry-standard data encryption via IPsec, packet filtering, user authentication via RADIUS and third-party authentication devices for maximum protection of corporate data. Security and accounting are provided by Shiva Access Manager for both direct-dial and VantagePath Network Gateway-based connections, creating a single point of management for all dial- up traffic.
Investment protection for Shiva customers
Because Shiva has delivered on its commitment to provide modular, extensible products, customers will be able to use the VantagePath Network Gateway hardware modules and software with the LanRover Access Switch and LanRover D56 chassis. This allows for a staged move to VPN-based remote access and, more important, provides existing customers investment protection in their current Shiva direct-dial remote access solution.
Zucco added, "Some vendors are advocating that customers make a wholesale switch to VPN-based remote access, completely abandoning already-working direct-dial solutions. In some application scenarios, such as with the local telecommuter, direct-dial will remain the optimal solution because local loop access is flat rate. In other scenarios, such as with a traveling salesperson, cost benefits may be realized by providing access to the corporate LAN via a VPN. In fact, many users will dial in directly from home, yet come in through a VPN when traveling. Our VantagePath services will help companies determine what makes the most sense for their remote access situations with easy interoperability for both end users and network managers.''
Pricing and availability
The VantagePath Network Gateway version 1.0 will be available in the fourth quarter of 1997. It will have an introductory list price of $12,500 U.S.
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