The popularity of virtual private networks just seems to multiply. In one of the more recent developments, several carriers added new VPN options to their slate of services.
In moves to further its IP-enablement strategy, Sprint Corp. announced an IP intelligent frame relay service, a network-based IP VPN offering as well as a wireless VPN option.
The IP intelligent frame relay service is based on virtual router technology to create IP connections over Sprint's Nortel-based frame relay/ATM network. It uses DiffServ for class of service.
The network-based IP VPN service, meanwhile, employs IP service switches from CoSine sitting on the SprintLink IP backbone network to create IP tunnels over virtually any transport be it DSL, dedicated line, frame relay or, in the future, 3G wireless, says Peter Parish, director of marketing for Sprint Business. The service also includes network-based firewalls.
The wireless VPN is an addition to the company's premises-based VPN portfolio. It puts in place optimization servers at the customer premises to compress data so remote customers using cellular or PCS links for access get better performance.
All three services are generally available now.
Meanwhile, SBC Communications Inc. said in May that it will offer software- and hardware-based customer premises-based VPN services this summer and plans to follow with network-based VPNs in the future.
The software-based VPN option provides remote workers with client software to tap securely into their corporate LANs. Customers needn't use SBC's Internet access for this option and don't require any VPN hardware to run it. This service is targeted as an entry product for enterprises of all sizes and makes sense for entities such as law firms that have a consistently changing clientele with which they need to connect, explains Mark Fishler, vice president of data/IP services at SBC.
The hardware-based VPN service allows customers to leverage their existing Cisco Systems Inc. 3000 series routers at their own sites or in one of SBC's Internet data centers to create VPN access to LANs, managed on an end-to-end basis by SBC with optional firewall management and intrusion detection services.
Of course, SBC is able to offer VPNs only within its LATAs, so it is partnering with other service providers where needed to provide customers with a broader service footprint. Initially the VPN traffic will run across a combination of SBC's ATM and IP networks. As standards such as the Martini draft firm up over the next could of years, SBC will implement MPLS over its IP network and then move all traffic to the IP core, says Abda Divine, vice president of national/data IP at SBC.
