MCI WorldCom Advanced
Networks today announced the roll-out of its first Internet-based
Virtual Private Networking (VPN) service, SafeReach IP.
The company said SafeReach, a fully managed, end-to-end solution, allows
enterprise users to securely connect to their corporate intranet from
around the world. SafeReach operates via the company’s expanding Internet
Protocol (IP) network, employing network-based tunneling protocol, Layer
Two Forwarding (L2F), offering a secure tunnel between the user’s personal
computer and the corporate site.
SafeReach, an expansive IP network, allows users to connect at dial-up
rates up to 56 Kbps and 128 Kbps Integrated Services Digital Network
(ISDN). SafeReach IP is available throughout North America, Eastern and
Western Europe, MCI said. In addition, other security options can be added
to SafeReach IP through strong user authentication, based on Security
Dynamics’ ACE Server and ID tokens, and/or Check Point’s Firewall-1.
MCI said the tunneling-based protocol employs the Cisco System’s L2F
tunneling protocol, enabling SafeReach IP to offer security back to the
corporate site for mobile workers. In co-development with Cisco Systems, MCI WorldCom Advanced
Networks is currently testing the engineering code for Layer Two
Forwarding Protocol (L2TP), the converged standard for L2F and Point to
Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP). Besides adding accessibility for remote
users, L2TP is expected to provide an additional layer of security through
IPSEC, which serves to encrypt the tunneled data.
“The solution Advanced Networks has delivered enables us to take advantage
of the benefits of the Internet while reducing the inherent risks
associated with enterprise networking over the Internet,” stated David
Pike, Director of Global Network Solutions, NCR Corporation.
“We are gradually migrating our growing intranet and extranet base of over
12,000 remote users to SafeReach IP from NT-Link. Although tunneled VPNs
over the Internet still involve some limitations today, we are building a
history and experience with SafeReach IP. We believe the viability of this
solution will be enhanced once the standard for L2TP is ratified.”
MCI WorldCom Advanced Networks formed in 1998 from the combined WorldCom
companies of CompuServe Network Services, ANS Communications, GridNet
International and the Web hosting business unit of UUNET Technologies. The
company is a networking and hosting company and a subsidiary of MCI WorldCom, providing Internet,
intranet and extranet connectivity solutions in 114 countries with more
than 3,000 customers.
