|
| |
Yo.net aims to simplify VPN set-up
By Tim Greene
A company called Yo.net is one of a few that is trying to
deliver VPNs without using the collection of well-known IP
Security protocols.
Instead, the company relies on a mix of common technology and a
proprietary scheme to provide secure IP connections that are as
simple as possible to set up. This addresses the perception
that IPSec is difficult and disruptive to set up.
The Yo.net VisEdge platform sets up direct secure connections
between remote devices outside corporate firewalls and servers
to other network resources protected by these firewalls. These
connections are enabled by VisEdge client software on the
remote devices as well as on each network-based device. Two
servers - one inside and one outside the firewall - help
negotiate the secure connection between the remote devices and
the network resources.
To set up a connection, the remote client talks to the outside
Yo.net server called VisEdge Gateway. It shares an X.509
certificate with VisEdge Gateway, which authenticates the
certificate with an internal database. VisEdge Gateway then
sets up a proprietary secure link across the corporate firewall
to an internal Yo.net server called StrongView. StrongView taps
network-based access lists to determine whether the external
device is authorized to access the requested server.
If so, StrongView prompts the VisEdge client on the internal
server to set up a peer-to-peer connection with the remote
VisEdge device. This link is managed using Yo.net's proprietary
protocol, YoTalk. These sessions are encrypted inside HTTP
packets using Windows crypto application programming interface
software.
To set up such a connection, remote users on Windows 2000 PCs
open Windows Explorer and open the folder indicating the
resource they want to reach. They are asked for user name and
password and the VisEdge platform sets up the session
automatically.
The client software installs itself in about a minute,
according to Yo.net. Yo.net ships the VisEdge and StrongView
servers so they can talk to each other. Users have very little
to do but distribute the clients and give the servers IP
addresses, Yo.net claims.
The servers cost $3,500 per pair, and clients cost $150 each.
While the hardware and software cost of some VPN gear is less,
this set up may be simple enough that users will recoup the
cost in reduced administration and management, compared to
IPSec VPNs.
It's worth a look if you are considering VPNs.
_______________________________________________________________
To contact Tim Greene:
Tim Greene is a senior editor at Network World, covering
virtual private networking gear, remote access, core switching
and local phone companies. You can reach him at
mailto:tgreene@nww.com.
_______________________________________________________________
PRODUCT INFO IN ONE CONVENIENT LOCATION!
Heard about a new product launch? Curious to find out if the
features and benefits of this new product will meet your
critical business needs? Network World Fusion's Product Central
section includes all the info you need to make informed
decision about new products and also includes a product finder
function. Check it out at http://nww1.com/go/ad216.html
_______________________________________________________________
RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS
Yo.net
http://www.yo.net/
A VPN shout-out to Yo.net
Network World Fusion, 01/14/02
http://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/2002/0114current.html
Avaya to meld VPNs and VoIP
Network World, 01/28/02
http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2002/129521_01-28-2002.html
Breaking VPN news from Network World, updated daily:
http://www.nwfusion.com/topics/vpn.html
Archive of the VPN newsletter:
http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/vpn/index.html
|
