Compatible Systems Integrates IKE Into VPN Client Software.

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 30, 1999--

New Clients for Windows, Mac, Sun Solaris, Linux

Deliver Greater Functionality, Radically Simplifies

Client Side Configuration and Maintenance Requirements

Compatible Systems Corporation today announced that it is releasing a major upgrade to the VPN client software for the company's IntraPort family of Virtual Private Networking (VPN) Access Servers.

Release 3 of the IntraPort client software will be available for Windows NT, 95, 98, MacOS, Intel Linux and Sun Solaris platforms, the VPN industry's broadest client lineup.

"Our focus is on VPNs that meet the connectivity and security needs of the customer while integrating into their current networking infrastructure," said Matt McConnell, president and CEO of Compatible Systems Corporation. "Release 3 of the IntraPort client makes setup, configuration and maintenance trivial at the remote user side, easing the burden on the network administrator."

"In order to provide the greatest value in a VPN solution, you've got to address the broadest needs of the network," said Jeff Wilson, director of Access Programs at Infonetics Research. "Network access is basically client independent, so VPN access must be as well."

Release 3 of the IntraPort VPN client software uses the industry standard Internet Key Exchange (IKE) protocol to establish and manage a VPN client session. Prior versions of the IntraPort client utilized a proprietary protocol. The IKE protocol greatly simplifies the authentication process. Client session management is invisibly negotiated between the client and the IntraPort server.

The remote user now needs to initially enter only two pieces of information: the address or name of the IntraPort to log into and a login name. Any additional information required is prompted for under administrative control.

Network administrators gain further central control under IntraPort Client Release 3 as well. Administrators now set the IKE Policy to be used for the initial conversation between the IntraPort and the client. This allows for various authentication methods to be used transparently between the client and the IntraPort VPN Access Server.

"Client software needs to be simple and `smart' in order to deliver the greatest benefits of VPN technology," McConnell said. "Release 3 gives the administrator more control over the client side while allowing even more flexibility in setting up network access parameters."

VPN technology allows companies to construct private data networks using the public Internet as a secure wide-area backbone. By deploying VPNs, IT managers can provide high-bandwidth broadband remote access utilizing ADSL and cable modems, realize savings of up to 80 percent on traditional long distance and other telco charges, eliminate administration-intensive remote access servers and modem banks and outsource many user support functions to Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

The IntraPort family from Compatible Systems is a complete line of VPN Access Servers for small offices, branch offices and enterprises. The company also offers a line of VPN Branch Office Routers.

The IntraPort VPN Access Servers include unlimited user licenses to all client platforms. Owners of IntraPort VPN can add the new client to their remote access mix through simple software downloads from the Compatible Systems Web site at http://www.compatible.com.

The IntraPort Family

The IntraPort family of VPN Access Servers provides Internet-based remote access and LAN-to-LAN solutions ranging in size from 64 simultaneous client connections to more than 40,000 simultaneous sessions. All IntraPort products feature:

-- Leading-edge IPSec tunneling for TCP/IP 

-- IPSec support for legacy protocols including IPX, AppleTalk

and Spanning Tree

-- Integrated VPN routing with RIP, RIP2 and OSPF support

-- Three encryption levels including 168-bit Triple DES

-- Unlimited-user license for all Compatible Systems IntraPort

client software

About Compatible Systems

Compatible Systems Corporation is the industry leader in hardware-based VPN solutions for site-to-site and remote client connection networking. The company has more than 10 years of network product design experience and has worked with VPN technologies since 1991. Compatible Systems has strong customer, reseller and ISP relationships and has installed equipment in thousands of networks worldwide.

For more information, contact Compatible Systems Corporation at P.O. Box 17220, Boulder, Colorado 80308 or by phone at 800-356-0283 or 303-444-9532. The company's World Wide Web server is http://www.compatible.com.

Among the industry veterans who have begun development of VPN products are Ascend Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASND), Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU), Nortel Networks (NYSE: NTL) and Intel Corporation (Shiva Corporation) (NYSE: INTC). Compatible Systems equipment is interoperable with systems from Apple Computer (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Sun Microsystems (NASDAQ: SUNW).