Nortel sketches VPN outline

Nortel Networks has introduced a new VPN services framework for carriers that includes four new solutions and technology enhancements.

The framework, dubbed VPN Enablement, is broken down into three parts: leveraging existing infrastructure to drive additional, near-term revenue; delivering new VPN services; and a blueprint for carriers to fully engage enterprise customers.

Nortel Networks also has introduced four new VPN solutions and technology enhancements: Network-based IP VPN with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) remote access; Ethernet extensions for IP VPNs; IPSec encryption; and additional VPN capabilities though enhanced software to the vendor’s Passport switches.

The framework announcement is timed in part to play off carriers’ still strong interest in taking advantage of their existing infrastructures.

“We recognize that a few years ago service providers were interested in building networks,” said Ed Daugavietis, VPN solutions manager for Nortel. “That’s not where the market is today.”

Among the most interesting aspects of the platform is the company’s addition of SSL into remote access. Adding Nortel's Alteon SSL remote access capability to a Nortel Shasta network-based IP VPN gives end-users the ability to remotely access VPNs with either a standard browser equipped with SSL or their current Nortel Contivity VPN client.

The end game of Nortel’s VPN blueprint includes adding software enhancements to its Passport switches, which will increase the scale, scope, performance and reliability of the Passport IP VPN solution. The software, which will be available in the third quarter of 2003, is designed to increase service offerings and decrease operational costs.