Net6 Announces Hybrid VPN Solution; Solves Problems Inherent in Both IP Sec and SSL VPN Technologies.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 2004

Net6, Inc., a provider of network gateways, announced today the availability of the Net6 Hybrid-VPN Gateway. The Net6 solution is a revolutionary Hybrid-VPN (H-VPN) that provides organizations with the combined advantages of both IP Sec and SSL VPNs, while eliminating the shortcomings of both technologies.

Solving issues that plague traditional IP Sec VPN's, the Net6 Hybrid-VPN provides users remote access through firewalls and prevents the traversal of worms by not bridging networks. IT upgrade support costs are eliminated with a URL-distributed client that automatically updates when the user connects to the network. Unlike SSL-VPNs, the Hybrid-VPN Gateway provides a desk-like network experience and supports all protocols and applications in native form without any custom webification.

The unique Always-On(TM) feature enables users to work from anywhere, behind any firewall with auto reconnect. An employee can be connected at one location, disconnect from the network and be automatically reconnected when they get on-line at their next location.

"Even under internal pressure for the last three years, I resisted deploying an IP Sec VPN because of the worm traversal issues with opening up a tunnel into our company," said Curt Jernigan, IT Director at Rainfinity in San Jose, California. "The Net6 Hybrid-VPN solution not only solved that problem, but also enabled our sales team to access our thick-client SalesLogix application, in its native form, from behind our customer's firewalls."

IP Sec, L2TP, or PPTP VPN solutions provide network layer access and encryption. SSL VPNs provide application layer access and encryption. Net6 combines network layer access with application level encryption in a hybrid technology. This drastically improves the end-user experience while significantly reducing the IT security administrator's support overhead and security risks.

"By leveraging the strengths of IP Sec VPNs and SSL VPNs but eliminating their weaknesses, the Net6 Hybrid-VPN is 'the best of both worlds," said Murli Thirumale, CEO of Net6, Inc. "This means users can access any application or network resource from anywhere without the hassles of maintaining a client and without exposing the organization to worms."

The Net6 Hybrid-VPN is the first complete secure remote access solution allowing organizations to deploy just one technology for all their secure remote access needs. The Net6 Hybrid-VPN Gateway is available from Net6 immediately with pricing starting at $6,000.

About Net6

Net6 provides solutions that enable employees, partners, and customers to securely access business applications regardless of their location, network or device. The Net6 Hybrid-VPN Gateway combines the best of IPSec and SSL VPN features into a simple, secure remote access solution. The Net6 Application Gateway delivers applications to any device, including IP telephones and wireless devices. Net6 solutions are sold globally by Avaya, Cisco, NEC, Nortel Networks, Siemens or their resellers. With over 500 systems shipped, Net6 delivers value to Fortune 50 companies, hospitals, educational and financial institutions, manufacturers, and small and medium businesses.

Net6 and the Net6 logo are trademarks of Net6 Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Net6 Hybrid VPN Backgrounder

The Net6 Hybrid-VPN is the first complete secure remote access solution allowing organizations to deploy just one technology for all their secure remote access needs. The benefits of the Hybrid-VPN (H-VPN) include:

Access to application or network resource. Since the Net6 H-VPN

technology operates at the network layer, any application in its

native form, whether client-server or web-based, can be securely

accessed remotely. No changes or development work to application

are required. Additionally, the H-VPN supports real time voice

traffic and any routable protocol including IP, IPX, AppleTalk,

etc.

Access from any location. Most organizations prevent visitors from

establishing an IP Sec VPN session from inside their firewall by

blocking the ports used by IP Sec VPNs. The H-VPN works from

anywhere including from behind a firewall, at a hotel, or from

home. With the H-VPN, there is no need to ask the organization

being visited to open up a port in their firewall. Sales people

and other employees who travel can now remain productive no matter

where they are.

Blocks the traversal of worms. Since the H-VPN hides the IP

addresses of the connected network and focuses on establishing

connections from applications (NAT like operation), worms that are

scanning route tables will not see the connected network and

therefore, not propagate. This feature significantly reduces the

threat of worms from employees that are working from home or from

insecure networks at hotels and conferences.

Simplicity for users. With the H-VPN, users simply access a secure

website and use their normal authentication credentials. There is

no need to worry about VPN client software or updates. Users

remain productive by having the same network experience and

application access as they are used to while sitting at their

desk.

Always-On(TM) Functionality. The H-VPN client continues to run in

memory even when the laptop or PC is disconnected from the

network. Advanced Always-On functionality provides user benefits

like auto-reconnect (the VPN connection is automatically restored

when the network connection returns), application sharing, remote

voice connectivity, remote control of user PCs by the IT

department etc. This mode provides a powerful way to always ensure

security over 802.11 networks with out having to deploy and

maintain a WEP environment. This provides functionality is not

currently available in either IP Sec or SSL VPNs.

Clientless Kiosk Mode. For users who are not at their own

computer, the H-VPN also offers clientless browser-based access to

web based corporate applications or to a server running windows

applications. In this mode, cookies, temporary files, or other

sensitive cached information are never brought down to the browser

or its PC. A simple browser-based application provides the user a

remote window into a full desktop experience which exists safely

behind the corporate firewall.

Reduced management overhead for administrators. The H-VPN frees

administrators from the hassle of installing, maintaining,

supporting, and upgrading IP Sec VPN clients. Every time a user

accesses the secure VPN website, they receive the latest release

of the VPN Remote. There is no need to webify any applications or

call ahead to other organizations asking them to open a hole in

their firewall. Using the H-VPN, the administrator's workload is

decreased while employees' productivity is improved.