SAN JOSE, Calif. - January 27, 1997 - Cisco Systems, Inc. todayannounced CompuServe Network Services, one of the largest networkintegrators, will offer secure private networking services to itsdial-up customers based on Layer 2 Forwarding (L2F), available in CiscoIOS(TM) software.
Virtual private dial-up networking offers security and scalabilitybenefits associated with a private network. Significant cost savings,inherent when operating these private networks over shared publicinfrastructures such as the Internet or a service provider backbone, canbe passed on to CompuServe Network Services customers.
"With the explosive growth of corporate dial-up access, virtualprivate dial-up network technology enables us to offer our customers thebenefits of private networking infrastructure where they control theirown network security and address management policy," said Peter VanCamp, executive vice president of CompuServe Network Services. "Ciscoand CompuServe Network Services are working together to establish openstandards-based tunneling. In addition, we are working with Cisco toprovide a tunneling solution that will integrate with a Microsoft NTserver. These tunneling strategies provide a real advantage forcustomers needing an end-to-end solution."
"L2F provides customers such as CompuServe Network Services with anindustry leading virtual private dial-up network solution," said StephenDeWitt, vice president of Cisco IOS software and network managementmarketing. "Our ability to provide a smooth migration path to theforthcoming L2TP industry standard was an important factor in CompuServeNetwork Services' decision to deploy L2F. Future Cisco product will havethe ability to transparently create or detect either L2F or L2TPtunnels, thereby ensuring backward compatibility."
About Tunneling Technology
L2F is a media independentlayer 2 tunneling protocol offered in Cisco IOS software. A number ofvendors and network service providers, including Cisco, Microsoft andCompuServe Network Services, are currently working on an industrystandard layer 2 tunneling protocol called L2TP within the InternetEngineering Task Force (IETF).
Layer 2 tunneling protocols provide dial-up customers with a broadrange of benefits, as session parameters are negotiated by the clientwith its own corporate gateway. Traditional mechanisms such asauthorization, address negotiation, protocol access, accounting andfiltering are all controlled by the customer's own network. Existingtechnologies, such as encryption, will run transparently end-to-end overlayer 2 tunnels ensuring privacy and confidentiality. Futuretechnologies, such as security standards from the IETF's IPsec workinggroup, will also work transparently in a layer 2 environment.
About CompuServe Network Services
Established in 1982, CompuServeNetwork Services provides companies around the world with frame relay,remote LAN access, IBM connectivity services and private replication forLotus Notes users. Complete Internet/intranet services include dial anddedicated access, security, software, private IP services and WorldWide Web development and hosting. CompuServe Network Services, adivision of CompuServe, Inc., provides the network infrastructure forthe CompuServe Information Service and SPRYNET.Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the leading global supplier of enterprise internetworking solutions,including routers, LAN and ATM switches, dial-up access servers andnetwork management software. These products, integrated by the
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