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A VPN shout-out to Yo.net
By Fred McClimans While talking about software-based overlay VPNs in my last column, I made a general reference to the future of next generation VPN products being more next-gen and less VPN. A bit flip, perhaps, but we are seeing a new breed of products that don't really fit the traditional definition of "VPN." Rather, they function as secure communications platforms in a way that that is fundamentally different from VPNs. First off, these new platforms are entirely software-based - you can use your existing hardware platforms (from servers to routers and firewalls). Second, these products do not rely at all upon fixed data pipes between various locations, instead providing much more of a true Internet-based peer-to-peer connectivity model between both different facility locations and individual users. As part of this, they can operate as stand-alone platforms or as overlay platforms on top of traditional pipe-based VPN services. Third, they offer an extremely in-depth level of application integration, from desktop support all the way up through automation of most (if not all) management applications (including digital certification, directory services, remote client installation, etc.). One of the best examples of this that I've seen to date is the VisEdge platform from startup vendor Yo.net. One nice feature of VisEdge is its focus on true peer-based networking, where individual devices are allowed to communicate directly with each other after they've been authenticated. Once that authentication has occurred (via the VisEdge Gateway software, which runs on just about any existing server/PC platform and integrates with existing NTLM/LDAP/NDS functions), a direct, secure communications link is established between communicating users that totally bypasses the gateway for normal "bulky" traffic. The result: almost unlimited numbers of simultaneous session with Internet-based performance levels and no requirement at all for yet another bottleneck piece of hardware. As expected, the whole PKI/digital cert/configuration process and user configuration is completely automated (not even the IT staff have to involve themselves beyond the cursory level and user training is a total non-requirement for anybody smart enough to boot a PC and log on to the network). This level of automation extends to both the implementation of gateways and, more important, to a nice integrated client tool that is self installing, requires no reboot and gives remote users complete access to remote services via their Windows interface. Interestingly, the biggest challenge that Yo.net faces (along with any other vendor moving into this space) is the task of convincing the market that the traditional – or even the hybrid – VPN model is not the only way to provide secure connectivity and that a software-based platform approach can be not only a viable but perhaps the best answer. Related links The Keeping Current archive Fred McClimans is the managing director of Fearless Ventures and the former CEO/founder of Current Analysis, Inc. Reach him at fred@fredmcclimans.com |
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