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New 6000 Series from Vernier Networks
Brings Enterprise-
Class Scale, Security, and Control to 802.11 WLANs
Configuration and Management with Enterprise-Wide Mobility for 802.11 Networks
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 22, 2002 - Enabling full-scale rollouts of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) for the first time, Vernier Networks today announced its 6000 product series, including the CS 6000 Control Server(TM), the AM 6000 Access Manager(TM), and IS 6000 Integrated System(TM). With these new products, Vernier Networks has laid the foundation for WLANs to evolve from isolated islands of wireless connectivity to campus-wide, mission-critical deployments that support thousands of untethered users. Equally important, the Vernier 6000 series lowers the total cost of ownership (TCO) for deployment and management of WLANs, offering significant savings over existing WLAN deployment architectures.
"Until recently, enterprises have been focused on solving the security and management challenges of user-installed, ad-hoc wireless LANs," said Doug Klein, CEO of Vernier Networks. "Most alternative WLAN security products today are designed for this kind of limited environment, where user access is contained to a single subnet. But as mobility becomes more commonplace and companies look to grow their WLANs as a strategic element of their corporate infrastructure, network administrators need a more systematic approach to WLAN access, one that offers secure, enterprise-wide roaming, centralized control, and mission-critical performance. The 6000 series addresses these requirements with unprecedented affordability."
Note: Vernier Networks will be demonstrating its 6000
series at NetWorld+Interop, Las Vegas, May 6-9, as part of iLabs, N+I's live
multivendor testbed, and in booth #2236.
Tiered Architecture Delivers Enterprise Scale and
Performance
The Vernier 6000 series is targeted at mid-sized to
large enterprises that are looking for a scalable growth path and greater
configuration flexibility as they roll out or expand mission-critical WLANs to
more users. The Vernier 6000 series takes a tiered approach to WLAN deployment
through the interplay of these products:
| -- | The CS 6000 Control Server, providing centralized security configuration and management for tens to thousands of wireless access points and tens of thousands of wireless users |
| -- | The AM 6000 Access Manager, an expandable platform that manages a set of wireless access points and adds scalability, tunable network security, and mission-critical resource usage policies to 802.11 wireless networks |
| -- | The IS 6000 Integrated System, combining the functionality of both a Control Server and an Access Manager in a single device for departmental or branch office WLANs |
The Vernier CS 6000 is designed to coordinate activities of multiple Access Managers deployed across the enterprise, allowing users to roam securely across subnets with single-session persistence, and enabling delivery of location-based services. Vernier's patent-pending Rights Manager, integrated within the CS 6000, is the only WLAN management product that allows administrators to set policies for both individuals and groups based on any combination of user identity, application, location, time of day, protocol, or session duration.
The AM 6000 Access Manager enforces security and control at the wireless edge, where enterprise networks are most vulnerable. Compatible with existing networks, the AM 6000 provides secure network access to any IP-based WLAN user. A high-performance packet inspection engine increases network security and administrative control by applying Layer 3 inspection and filtering intelligence to all network traffic. Vernier's patent-pending roaming technology ensures session persistence across subnets, saving up to 45 percent of network overhead during roaming, compared with alternative WLAN implementations that require logon and authentication for every subnet.
With a four-port base configuration, expandable to support as many as 12 10/100 Ethernet ports, the AM 6000 provides more than 90 Mbps total system throughput. In addition, the AM 6000 is the first WLAN access product to provide Gigabit Ethernet uplinks to enterprise network backbones through two separate option cards: short-haul fiber, allowing high-speed backbone connectivity for distances up to 500 meters; and long-haul fiber for campus environments, supporting Gigabit Ethernet connectivity for up to 5000 meters.
The IS 6000 Integrated System is a single box solution that integrates both access control and wireless connectivity and is designed for smaller networks or departmental WLANs. It includes four 10/100 Ethernet ports and can also be extended to a 12-port configuration.
Instant WLAN Security, with Low TCO
Vernier airwave security provides end-to-end wireless
security for the 6000 series and eliminates the well-known data privacy
weaknesses associated with WEP and 802.11. Using standards-based virtual private
network (VPN) tunneling protocols, including IPSec, L2TP/IPSec, and PPTP,
Vernier's airwave security secures all wireless communication to and from client
devices. It can encrypt all mission-critical data using either AES, DES, 3DES,
Blowfish, or CAST. Airwave security is compatible with industry-leading IPSec
clients, including those from Microsoft, PGP, and SafeNet.
Vernier's auto-configuration client architecture is designed to work with any access point and wireless NIC and enables instant secure deployment of hundreds of wireless clients in minutes. No special client hardware, software, or configuration is needed to protect network assets from wireless intrusion. The result is a dramatic operational savings in software configuration and upgrade costs -- a savings that grows proportionally to the size of the WLAN.
Designed to integrate naturally with a company's existing network management infrastructure, 6000 systems communicate with existing LDAP, 802.1x, RADIUS. Kerberos, or Windows XP/2000/NT authentication servers to ensure that only authorized users log on to the network. A default guest account automatically provides restricted network access to contractors or temporary users. SNMP-based management enables network managers to monitor and troubleshoot WLANs using familiar tools and techniques. Complete session logging tracks WLAN users by service, time, and location for accounting and billing purposes.
Pricing and Availability
The Vernier 6000 product line is now generally
available. Base unit list prices for the 6000 platforms are as follows:
| -- | Access Manager: $3,000 | ||||
| -- | Control Server: $6,000 | ||||
| -- | Integrated System: $7,500 |
About Vernier Networks
Founded in March 2001, Vernier Networks develops innovative systems and software to protect, manage, and enhance wireless networks. Vernier's user-aware, intelligent networking technology allows network managers to centralize wireless LAN usage policies, secure wireless network access at the edge, and deploy scalable wireless mobility across the enterprise. The Vernier Networks System won the Best of Show award at NetWorld+Interop Atlanta in October 2001, and the COMNET New Product Achievement Award for Wireless/Mobile in January 2002. A privately held company, Vernier has received funding from Packet Design, a technology development company founded by Judy Estrin and Bill Carrico; Foundation Capital, Doll Capital Management, Masthead Venture Partners, and Weber Capital Management. For more information, visit the Vernier Networks web site at www.verniernetworks.com.
# # #
CONTACT:
Vernier Networks
Arlene
Dickson, 650/237-2216
arlene@verniernetworks.com
or
Gallagher Public Relations
Tynesha
Correa, 510/749-6800 ext. 234
tcorrea@gpr.com