Interlink Networks Announces Wireless LAN Authentication for GSM Carriers; EAP-SIM and EAP-AKA Supported in RADIUS Server for GSM Carriers.

Business Editors

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 2003

Interlink Networks, a leading developer of network security and access control software, today announced that the upcoming version of its RAD-Series AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) RADIUS servers will include support for two new authentication methods used in GSM mobile wireless networks: EAP-SIM and EAP-AKA.

Interlink Networks developed support for these authentication methods in response to requests from large GSM mobile operators in Europe.

"The addition of EAP-SIM and AKA support in our RAD-Series RADIUS servers will allow our GSM carrier customers to start testing on their networks immediately," said Randy Dence, VP of Product Management at Interlink Networks. "Implementing these security extensions will provide secure authentication while minimizing the infrastructure and database management costs associated with supporting wireless LAN (WLAN) hotspots."

By implementing Interlink Networks RADIUS servers with EAP-SIM and EAP-AKA authentication methods, mobile operators will be able to join their GSM networks and wireless IP networks together more tightly, eliminating the need for redundant user information stored in different databases.

EAP-SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) is an authentication method that uses GSM SIM and standard GPRS Security and Mobility Management (GMM) messages. SIM is the authentication method favored by GSM carriers. EAP-AKA (Authentication and Key Agreement) is a next generation security protocol for GSM authentication. The authentication messages are relayed in less time, which means that lower bandwidth is required, and more subscribers can be on the network at the same time.

Interlink Networks' RAD-Series RADIUS servers already support a wide variety of EAP authentication types, including: EAP- MD5, TLS, TTLS, LEAP, PEAP, GTC, SPEKE, and new for the version 7.0 release, EAP-SIM and EAP-AKA.

Version release 7.0 of the RAD-Series RADIUS Servers are currently in beta testing. First customer shipments are expected during the first quarter of 2004.

About Interlink Networks:

Interlink Networks is a leader in securing 802.11 wireless LAN, mobile, and wired networks. The company's standards-based software blocks intruder access to networks using strong 802.1x authentication, a requirement of the new WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) specification. Interlink's offerings range from carrier-class and enterprise level solutions to appliance-ready software - ideal for OEM development designs. Interlink Networks is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For more information, call [phone] or visit http://www.interlinknetworks.com.