ADSL Service Pilot, Fixed Price Site Option and SafeWord Enhancements Announced for IBM Global Network
VPN capabilities expanded for delivery of e-business applications
San Francisco (October 01, 1998) – IBM today expanded its virtual private network capabilities for delivery of e-business applications by announcing an ADSL service pilot program, new fixed site price option for frame relay-based offerings and SafeWord Authentication for IP remote access to the IBM Global Network.
IBM Global Services demonstrated some of its VPN capabilities at ComNet/San Francisco in conjunction with Inverse Network Technology, Inc., which exhibited AccessRamp, a real-time diagnostic product that monitors the ease of Internet dial-up access. IBM Global Services is an AccessRamp customer and employs the technology to help determine how effectively its Internet customers connect to the network.
“The new elements we are announcing today provide customers with virtual private network services that offer greatly expanded capabilities for their e-business applications delivered over the Internet or over intranets and extranets,” said Bruce R. Jackson, vice president, global offering management for network services, IBM Global Services. “And, from a broader view, VPN capabilities and services like these provide customers with enhanced security and allow us to blend a broad range of cost-effective solutions while integrating private networks, managed network services and ISPs into a single-image service.”
The new ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) broadband access limited availability feature will be piloted in the San Francisco/San Jose area and is intended for customers that support remote workers and telecommuters who require faster response time (up to 1.5 Mbps), higher-bandwidth and cost-effective alternatives to dedicated leased lines.
It also is appropriate for small and medium businesses that require affordable, high performance access to build e-business applications and relationships through a private intranet or through an Internet virtual private network. The ADSL service pilot will be provided by an upgrade to IBM’s existing Local Interface Gateway infrastructure that provides local dial access from 1,325 locations in 52 countries.
The fixed site price option for frame relay-based offerings provides customers with a fully-managed service for worldwide connectivity at one flat monthly price per site. It is designed to allow large and medium businesses to establish connections to as many network locations (LANS, computers and terminals) as necessary, yet maintains a set price for each location. Additionally, as a site expands the number of locations with which it communicates, the price remains the same for that site unless additional capacity or bandwidth is needed. Price also may vary by site.
The option includes the standard features of the frame relay-based wide area network, including customer premise equipment, access line, network managed access connection, full network management plus connectivity to other customer sites attached to the IBM Global Network using this pricing method. The option is available now in the United States and Europe, and will be available in Asia/Pacific and Latin America on October 30, 1998. IBM currently provides managed frame relay services in more than 60 countries.
SafeWord Authentication for IP remote access provides customers with a dynamic password for each logon to the IBM Global Network by using a unique cryptographic token. The unique token-generated password, in conjunction with a memorized password, helps protect against network attacks through stolen, guessed or intercepted passwords because each token password is generated for each use.
It is intended for customers who already have a SafeWord server deployed for their end users, for those who want stronger security than a standard fixed password and who want to control the security administration for their users. It is available now in the U.S. with planned availability for Europe on November 16, 1998 and in Asia/Pacific, Latin America and Canada on December 28, 1998.
Source: IBM