NEC's Internet Business Unit now shipping PrivateNet 2.0 Firewall.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 1996--

Upgraded Release Adds GUI, Protection from SYN Flooding and

Firewall Security for Under $3,700

NEC Technologies Inc.'s Internet Business Unit (IBU) is now shipping its PrivateNet(TM) Firewall, Release 2.0, in 50, 200 and unlimited node support versions at aggressive prices starting at $3,650, including server hardware.

Tested and certified by the National Computer Security Association (NCSA) on Nov. 26, Release 2.0 exhibits upgrades including a new graphical user interface (GUI), tunneling, and multiple authentication support.

Beta tests performed at DAKA International demonstrated the improvements offered by Release 2.0. According to Chris Crocker, Network Engineer of DAKA International, "NEC Technologies' PrivateNet Firewall is a phenomenal out-of-the-box solution. We found that PrivateNet is very easy to configure and use, and its uptime proved to be quite fast. PrivateNet's Virtual Private Networking feature allows us to have secure connections with other companies through the Internet, which is very important to us."

Designed for Internet and intranet security, PrivateNet Firewall is a turnkey, bundled hardware/software firewall that is marketed and supported exclusively by VARs, system integrators and security consultants. It features a security-hardened UNIX operating system, Pentium(R)-driven hardware, and proxy-server firewall software that is supplied on CD-ROM for added security and ease of use. Release 2.0 also incorporates IBU's recently announced TCP/IP software enhancement that protects networks against denial-of-service (SYN flooding) attacks from hackers.

William Hansen, marketing manager for the Internet Business Unit said, "As we continue our development of PrivateNet Firewalls, we talk to our customers and our resellers to ensure that future firewalls provide a total security solution. Release 2.0 responds to those needs with server hardware, firewall software in scaleable configurations and product features that end-users are demanding." Hansen continued, "Release 2.0 makes PrivateNet a fully featured firewall that is easy for resellers to sell and install and even easier for our customers to administer and upgrade when necessary. The really exciting news here is that NEC now offers a complete, out-of-box, firewall package at a price that small businesses can easily afford."

More Scaleable PrivateNet Firewalls

For the first time, the IBU is offering PrivateNet Firewall Server, Release 2.0, as three scaleable versions, in 50, 200 and unlimited node versions, each providing the server hardware, BSD O/S, firewall software, and VPN for unique Internet and intranet security requirements. Previous versions are upgradeable to Release 2.0.

-- 50 Node Firewall

Aggressively priced at $3,650 (suggested list price) for use in small and medium business intranet applications and connection to the Internet. VARs and end-users can easily upgrade the 50 node software to 200 and unlimited node versions when needed.

-- 200 Node Firewall

Competitively priced at $7,950 and targeted at medium-to-large organizations for intranet and Internet security. The 200 node software is upgradeable to the unlimited node version when needed.

-- Unlimited Node Firewall

Priced at $9,650, it is designed to meet the needs of large, corporate, government and educational networks of any size by allowing for an unlimited number of node connections to the firewall.

Integrator support for PrivateNet Firewall, Release 2.0, has been strong. "We've looked at PrivateNet, Release 2.0, and I'm pleased that PrivateNet comes in at the right prices and has the features that our customers are asking for," said NetworkGuys Inc. President Tim Carney, a leading network integrator based in Fremont, Calif. "The 50 node version has big system features, such as Virtual Private Networking, a GUI, NEC software support, and server hardware. At $3,650, we expect to be selling a lot of these firewalls. Our customers look to us for sensible solutions for their network security needs and PrivateNet does the job quite nicely," Carney added.

PrivateNet Release 2.0 is Easier to Use

Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) have become a standard firewall feature because most system administrators find them easier to use than editing files. The PrivateNet 2.0 GUI is used for firewall management tasks such as configuring authorized users, services and user authentication requirements.

The GUI provides secure remote management using encrypted communications. Before the widespread interest in the Internet, most network administrators were concerned about attacks on their networks from within and dial-up access from disgruntled workers. But with most organizations now connecting to the Internet, the motive for mischief from outside is growing rapidly and creating a major security risk to enterprise networks.

Reacting to this threat, an increasing number of network administrators are installing state-of-the-art proxy-server, or application-level firewalls as a barrier against outside attacks. These gateways provide a choke point at which control and audit can be imposed. They allow access to resources on the Internet from within the organization while providing controlled access from the Internet to hosts inside the private network.

The key features of PrivateNet Release 2.0 now include:

-- Firewall server hardware

-- Security-hardened BSD O/S and firewall software on read-only

CD-ROM media - provides easy installation, administration,

upgrade and tamperproof security

-- GUI - increases ease of administration

-- Protection against SYN flooding attacks

-- Tunneling - increases accessibility of applications through

the firewall

-- Multiple authentication support - enhances secure remote

access to network from Internet

-- Proxy server architecture - provides much greater security

than packet filter systems

-- High availability - when using multiple PrivateNet firewalls,

Internet access is maintained if one becomes inactive

-- NAT (Network Address Translation) - enables IP address hiding

of devices on the protected network

-- Load balancing - when using multiple PrivateNet firewalls,

the load is automatically distributed between firewalls

-- Connection auditing and logging - provides connection

auditing and allows a single or redundant log for system

administrators

-- Blocks IP address spoofing - prevents spoofing attacks

-- Support for major Internet applications including: Telnet,

SMTP, NNTP, HTTP, FTP 

-- Virtual Private Network (VPN) - Encryption is based on the

DES or 3-DES standards

About the Internet Business Unit and PrivateNet

Located in San Jose, the Internet Business Unit is a division of NEC Technologies Inc. and was formed in July 1995 to address the needs of organizations that require secure and productive Internet and intranet connection and use. Further information may be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.privatenet.nec.com

About NEC Technologies Inc.

Headquartered in Itasca, Ill., NEC Technologies Inc. is a leading manufacturer of computer peripherals and other technology products for the North American market. Award-winning product lines include MultiSync(R) desktop and presentation monitors, MultiSync(R) portable LCD projectors and fixed-installation CRT projectors, SuperScript(TM) printers, MultiSpin(R) CD-ROM readers, and Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS). The company also develops and markets a wide range of optical storage products, fully configured computers with secure Internet services for a dedicated Internet connection. NEC Technologies Inc. is a subsidiary of NEC Corp. Information on the company and its products can be obtained by calling 800/NEC-INFO.

EDITOR'S NOTE: There is an "at" symbol preceding "ibu.sj.nec.com" in the E-mail addresses below. This symbol may not appear properly in some systems.

CONTACT: NEC Technologies, Internet Business Unit

William Hansen, 408/433-2192

[e-mail]

Deborah Buffington, 408/433-1531

[e-mail]