Comztek, formerly QDD, has announced Nortel Networks` next-generation contivity extranet switches (CES) and software for improved VPN functionality, scalability and security at central sites and branch offices.
The new CES 1500, 2500 and 4500 apparently increase savings in the deployment of secure and controlled VPNs by doubling the number of simultaneously active tunnels supported at the same price as the previous models.
Comztek product manager Anton van Bers says the new contivity switches provide mission-critical features necessary to create a cost-effective unified network that supports both mobile users and branch officers within a secure and scalable IP environment.
Contivity replaces more expensive private network solutions by utilising the Internet to deploy VPN technology, allowing customers to save on WAN costs and explore new streams of Internet-enabled revenue. "Service providers also recognise the VPN feature set and ease of management that contivity offers," he notes.
Features of CES Software Version 2.5 include support for the industry-standard routing information protocol for branch office connections and simplify network administration. Integration of Check Point Firewall-1 software provides CES with firewall functionality outside of a VPN tunnel as well as increased access and audit capabilities for tunnelled traffic. Firewall-1 software will also improve the CES`s ability to handle non-VPN traffic in an all-in-one VPN solution.
Network access translation (NAT), part of the Check Point Fire Wall-1 integration, allows network-based on private addressing schemes to use the Internet for their network solutions. It also includes new client features and enhancements to the IP Sec client software.
"For centralised management and reporting of multiple contivity switches and VPN service, Nortel networks also offers system-level, Web-based management using the company`s recently announced Optivity VPN Manager 1.0, a client/server Java application," Van Bers adds.
Share
