i-Planet Breaks New Ground for Internet-Based Virtual Private Networks; CypherSpace Brings Low-cost and Ease-of-use of VPNs to Businesses of All Sizes.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 1996--i-Planet, developer of innovative Internet communications solutions, today announced version 1.0 of its Internet-based Virtual Private Network (iVPN) product: CypherSpace.

With pricing an order-of-magnitude lower than traditional VPN products and 5-minute installation, i-Planet empowers the vast majority of businesses to establish robust Internet-based Virtual Private Networks.

CypherSpace 1.0 is compatible with the S/WAN guidelines for building secure and interoperable virtual private networks. It employs public and private key encryption technologies to secure the Internet-based communications between multiple sites.

In addition, CypherSpace contains tunneling technology that implements an iVPN. The customer does not need valid Internet addresses at the remote sites, and can use private LAN addresses. Devices with private LAN addresses can communicate with other devices that have private LAN addresses across the Internet, just as if they were local.

Finally, CypherSpace includes the capability to compress data traveling between nodes on an iVPN. This can also reduce the cost and thereby increase the benefit of creating an iVPN because lower-speed links may be used which have lower monthly fees from ISPs and local telephone companies.

"Traditionally, the benefits of building Internet-based VPN's have been oriented toward large companies with existing leased-line infrastructures and how they can reduce costs," said David Vereeke, President of i-Planet.

He continued, "In contrast, i-Planet's focus is to show how small and mid-sized companies can build regional, national, and multi-national networks at a fraction of the cost of traditional approaches. This empowers these businesses to become more competitive via the use of the Internet in ways not seen with other Internet technologies."

"The i-Planet Virtual Private Tunnel (VPT) Technology has enabled us to provide unique educational applications," said Joyce Blueford, President of Math Science Nucleus.

"Specifically, we allow children at different schools the ability to collaborate over the Internet very easily. This uniquely brings scientists to the classroom in real-time in an extremely cost-effective manner." -0- Benefits of CypherSpace include:

-- Reduced transmission cost compared to dedicated point- to-point links

-- Reduced transmission cost as a result of data compression 

-- Simplified operations by eliminating modem pool and dial-up charges

-- Simplified network management and topology

-- Flexible network configuration -- point to point, point to multipoint connections, multipoint routing/switching

-- 5-minute installation and configuration -0-

CypherSpace is an unbundled option for the landmark i- Planet Solution-168 (IPST-168), a platform for Internet communications services integrating hardware, router, gateway, Internet server, Web server, Firewall, seven proxies, Mail server (IMAP, POP, SMTP), Telecommuting (RAS) server, Print server, and LAN server, in a single, pre- installed system administered via any browser.

CypherSpace Features

CypherSpace allows customers to link multiple networks using private LAN addresses (invalid Internet addresses) and make them appear as if they are on the same local network. In addition, CypherSpace can encrypt and compress traffic between the remote networks to create Internet-based Virtual Private Networks.

-- Point to Point tunnels

-- MultiPoint to MultiPoint tunnels

-- Network to Network tunnels

-- Subnetwork to Subnetwork tunnels

-- Unlimited simultaneous sessions

-- Secured or unsecured tunnels

-- Encrypted tunnels

-- Compression

-- Status monitoring

-- Statistics collection and reporting

-- IPSec and S/WAN interoperability

-- Plug-and-play operation

-- Web Browser based administration tools

In addition to CypherSpace, users of the IPS-168 can choose from a suite of optional modules to utilize Internet-powered applications and services while lowering corporate costs. Other services includes the Faximilator which permits Fax receiving, sending, and least-cost FAX routing over the Internet, and the i-Planet MailSuite.

The different modules enable small and mid-sized companies to cut costs and increase competitiveness through Internet-based communications services and applications.

Pricing and Availability

CypherSpace will be available in December 1996 and has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $995 in the United States. There are no per-user or per-system charges.

About the Company

i-Planet develops and sells integrated hardware and software solutions that enable businesses to become more competitive via the use of public networks, such as the Internet. i-Planet's goal is to remove existing barriers which can prevent companies from exploring their Internet options.

i-Planet was formed in January 1996 by Silicon Valley networking veterans and is headed by President David Vereeke. For more information on i-Planet, its services and its products, call 408/745-1500, send e-mail to [e-mail] or visit the homepage at http://www.i-planet.com. -0-

Note to Editors: i-Planet, i-Planet Solution, IPS-168, CypherSpace, Faximilator, PonyEspresso, APX, and iVPN are trademarks of i-Planet Inc. All other trademarks and tradenames are the property of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged.

CONTACT: i-Planet

Kristina Klein, 408/745-1500

[e-mail]

or

Miller/Shandwick Technologies

Stacy Libby, 415/962-9550

[e-mail]