Inkra's Virtual Service Switch Family Meets IPsec VPN Standards; Inkra Networks' VPN Receives VPN Consortium's Conformance Certification.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 2003

Inkra Networks, a leader in adaptable network security, business continuity, and performance infrastructure, announced today that the company's Virtual Service Switch(TM) (VSS) family has passed the Virtual Private Network Consortium's (VPNC's) IP Security (IPsec) tests. The VPNC is an independent organization chartered with providing unbiased information on the VPN industry, issuing IPsec conformance certification to security products, and increasing interoperability between security products. In passing the VPNC's Basic, Re-keying, and Certificates conformance tests, Inkra's VSS product family demonstrates its conformance with industry IPsec standards for interoperable VPNs.

"We are committed to delivering security solutions that meet industry standards and interoperate with other security products," said Dave Roberts, vice president of strategy at Inkra Networks. "In receiving the VPNC's conformance certification, Inkra's VSS family joins a consortium of interoperable security products that comply with industry VPN standards and enable corporations to securely communicate through the Internet."

"With security attacks on the rise, now more than ever VPNs are playing an integral role in protecting business-critical information," said Paul Hoffman, director at VPNC. "As part of the Consortium, Inkra will promote the benefits of VPN and support our efforts in simplifying industry standards."

Virtual Service Switch Receives Conformance Approval

Inkra received certification for all three VPNC IPsec conformance tests, which require that its VPN gateway initiate an IPsec Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) tunnel to each of two test gateways and successfully complete each conformance test as follows:

-- The Basic Conformance test verifies that the tunnel implements the following features according to IPsec standards: Triple-DES for encryption, Secure Hashing Algorithm 1 (SHA-1) for hash, 1024-bit key exchange, and a pre-shared secret for authentication.

-- The Re-keying Conformance test automatically re-keys the Phase 2 security association (SA) when it is needed. The Phase 2 SAs must also use perfect forward secrecy (PFS). The tester must access a web server behind the test gateway before and after re-keying.

-- The Certificates Conformance test uses Internet X.509 Public Key Infrastructure (PKIX) certificates instead of a pre-shared key for identification. The certificate is checked against the VPNC root certificate, and the identity is also checked. The tester must access a web server behind the test gateway.

Inkra's Virtual Service Switch Family Offers Maximum Network Security

Inkra's VSS product family virtualizes and integrates multiple services such as firewalls, load balancers, SSL, and VPN, into a single, high-performance platform. Unlike other multi-function products that simply consolidate features, the VSS uses HardWall(TM), Inkra's hardware-based virtualization technology, to deliver the same performance and integrity as tens to hundreds of separate appliances. This unique feature enables corporations to efficiently ensure maximum network security, business continuity, and performance at a much lower price point than using traditional appliances. For more information about Inkra's VSS product family visit http://www.inkra.com.

About the VPNC

The Virtual Private Network Consortium, better known as VPNC, is the international trade association for manufacturers in the VPN market. The VPNC exists to: increase interoperability between members by showing where the products interoperate; serve as the forum for the VPN manufacturers throughout the world; help the press and potential customers understand VPN technologies and standards; and provide publicity and support for interoperability testing events. More information about the VPNC can be found at http://www.vpnc.org/.

About Inkra Networks

Inkra Networks' Virtual Service Architecture(TM) (VSA), including the Virtual Service Switch(TM) (VSS) and Center Point Management Suite(TM), offers the most adaptable and cost-effective network security, business continuity, and performance architecture in the industry. Inkra's VSS product family virtualizes and integrates multiple services such as firewall, load balancing, SSL, and VPN in multi-gigabit hardware platforms. Together with HardWall(TM), Inkra's hardware-based virtualization technology, the VSA provides the same performance and integrity as tens to hundreds of separate appliances, at a fraction of the cost. The VSA offers elastic functionality and scalability, enabling corporations to deploy, adapt, and grow network security and infrastructure as needed in real time, with far less budget, time, and effort than using appliances. Inkra Networks is headquartered in Fremont, CA, and funded by Battery Ventures, Morgenthaler Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, Storm Ventures, and Greenstone Venture Partners.

Note to Editors: Inkra is a registered trademark of Inkra Networks Corporation. Center Point Management Suite, HardWall Virtualization Technology, OpenRack, Virtual Rack, Virtual Rack Operating System, Virtual Rack Processor, Virtual Service Architecture, Virtual Service Module, and Virtual Service Switch are trademarks of Inkra Networks Corporation.