PR Newswire, Wednesday, October 08, 1997 at 10:14
Breakthrough Design Lowers Cost of Ownership and Provides Investment
Protection for a Whole New Generation of Network Users; Product Also Features
VPN Functionality for Secure Internet Commerce
ATLANTA, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- In a major expansion of its presence as a
leading provider of Remote Access connectivity, OpenROUTE(R) Networks, Inc.
today announced the GTX 1000, a new class of modular router that leads the
industry in price/performance, network security, ease-of-use and management,
and investment protection. The GTX 1000, the latest advancement in the
company's award-winning GlobeTrotter (GT) product line, was unveiled here this
week before some 60,000 attendees at the industry's largest trade show,
Networld+Interop '97.
Designed and engineered to significantly reduce the cost of investment in
the essential networking equipment for Internet, Intranet and Wide Area
Networking (WAN) Connectivity, the GTX 1000 has a unique design that puts the
processing unit, memory, operating system software, and a built-in Ethernet
interface in the base unit. Depending on their individual needs, users then
select from a wide range of interface modules to be plugged into the three,
configurable slots. This breakthrough design in a single box gives users the
flexibility to mix and match modules and add or change capabilities as their
needs change.
The GTX 1000 is also the first router in its class to ship with true
Virtual Private Network (VPN) functionality. VPNs, which are rapidly driving
the global acceptance of Internet commerce, connect sites within an
organization's Intranet over a public network such as the Internet. The VPN
provides secure connections via data encryption and authentication to
guarantee the privacy of the information as it passes over the public network
(see related press release on VPN technology in OpenROUTE(R) 3.1). The GTX
1000 is priced according to the modules selected, with a base unit list price
of $1,195. The product will ship in late October.
Chuck Davin, vice president and chief technical officer at PSINet Inc.,
Herndon, Virginia, said, "The modularity of OpenROUTE Networks' GTX 1000 has
the potential for changing the way in which customers migrate from low-end to
high-end connectivity services. Initial indications are that the product
combines a traditionally solid engineering base with an intriguing new
concept." PSINet, which has some 20,000 corporate customers, is one of the
world's largest Internet Service Providers.
Greg Cline, director networking and Internet research, at Business
Research Group, Newton, Mass., a leading demand-side market research firm,
said, "As Internet and Intranet sites have exploded around the world, users
are faced with a complex and sometimes frustrating decision in selection
options for their WAN links. In many cases, users need two or even three
different boxes to complete the link. In recent research, leading indicators
point to the fact that users almost always prefer a single-unit approach. The
capabilities of the GTX 1000 seem to clearly address this need."
Marc Evans, chief technical officer at The Destek Group, Inc., a
progressive Wide Area Network (WAN) provider in Nashua, N.H., has previewed
the GTX 1000. He said, "This is a product that is coming to market at just the
right time. As the pace of connectivity options has mushroomed, users are
faced with the possibility of constant change to get the maximum performance
from their networks. The GTX 1000 solves a major issue. If a user decides to
change WAN services, or wants to take advantage of better tariff options or
new technologies, all they have to do is order the new module and snap it
right into the router. For many users, this may be the last router they will
ever need."
Robert Koch, OpenROUTE Networks vice president of product development and
management, said this new class of product "reinforces the company's
commitment to provide best-in-class Remote Access products." Koch said,
"Since its introduction, the GT line has proven itself time and time again.
With the announcement of the GTX 1000, we now have a product suite with more
than 20 top-performing models. There is no other vendor that can match the
breadth and flexibility of the GT line. The GTX 1000 clearly pushes the
technology curve by delivering the modularity, flexibility and features and
benefits that users want most." Koch added that OpenROUTE Networks has
recently applied for a U.S. patent on the unique GTX 1000 design.
Networking With a Personality
The GTX 1000 series is a whole new generation of modular Remote Access
routers designed to meet the changing needs of small- to medium-sized remote
offices and Internet subscribers. Together with its wide array of WAN
interface cards - known as WAN "personality modules" -- the GTX 1000 provides
unprecedented functionality and flexibility. Typical uses from this single-
unit solution could include multiple low-speed interface modules for Internet
connectivity for small businesses or home offices; low-speed Internet
connectivity via global ISDN services; high-speed connectivity for small
businesses; medium-sized business Intranet applications; local Internet access
for branch offices of large corporations; Internet and Intranet applications
with complex network topologies and protocols; large branch Internet/Intranet
applications; and large branch campus networks.
When ordering, users can start with a single module or add other
capabilities as their networks grow internally and expand geographically. The
GTX 1000 can support up to three "personality modules" including serial
interfaces with integrated CSU/DSU technology. ISDN modules are offered in
four variations (ISDN "U", ISDN "S/T", ISDN "U" with POTS, and ISDN "S/T" with
POTS) and are homologated for worldwide deployment. The GTX 1000 can also
support up to three modem modules, including support for 56K.
The new GTX 1000 is the first product from OpenROUTE Networks to run the
3.1 version of OpenROUTE software, which includes VPN technology. Users have
two software choices: The Office Load includes support for TCP/IP, RIPv2, IPX,
AppleTalk2, and transparent bridging, while the Office Plus Load adds support
for OSPF, MOSPF, DVMRP, Triggered RIP, BGP-4, NLSP and adaptive bridging. All
popular WAN protocols are supported including Multilink PPP with PAP, CHAP,
Compression, Frame Relay and BRI ISDN.
A built-in firewall features dynamic, context sensitive authenticated
filtering with the router acting as a client to a RADIUS server. Simple
password and challenge/response token cards are also supported. The GTX 1000
also supports VPNs using Sun's SKIP technology. Other new features include
OpenROUTE Addressing Services, Traffic Control Services and Enhanced ISDN.
For more technical detail, visit the product section of OpenROUTE Networks'
web site at openroute.com.
In its September 1997 issue, Data Communications magazine honored
OpenROUTE Networks with a "Tester's Choice" award for the performance of the
company's GT 72 and 75 ISDN routers. The Data Communications honor is the
latest in a series of performance honors for the GT product line. In the
September 1997 issue of ZD Internet magazine, the GT 72 was number one in a
data compression test that ranked 11 competitors. Earlier, Strategic Networks
Consulting, a leading market research firm, named the GT 70 the fastest
overall ISDN router in a major performance test among 10 leading vendors. The
GT line has also won a "User's Choice" award from Communications News
magazine.
About OpenROUTE Networks, Inc.
OpenROUTE Networks' GlobeTrotter (GT) remote access routers feature the
best price performance in their class. Single unit prices for Internet
Protocol (IP) connectivity start at only $795 per unit, which includes
hardware and software. All GT router products come standard with OpenROUTE
Networks' data compression functionality which provides data throughput
performance that is 30 to 70 percent faster than competing products. GT
products also provide a wide range of integrated network security features for
Internet and corporate Intranet applications.
All GTs feature OpenROUTE(R), the company's interoperable, standards-based
routing software. This means that GTs are compatible with networking devices
from such leading vendors as IBM, Digital and Motorola, who have licensed
OpenROUTE. GT products also come standard with the company's
"ALLWays.Connected(TM) Guarantee," which means that they are guaranteed to
connect to products from Cisco and Ascend and all other suppliers; carry a
lifetime warranty; and are offered with a "trade up" support program to
provide investment protection. GT products can be installed in minutes and
are easily maintained and managed from central network sites. For more
information, contact OpenROUTE Networks, Inc. at 800-545-7464 or on the World
Wide Web at openroute.com.
NOTE: OpenROUTE, IBM, Digital, Motorola, Cisco Systems, and Ascend
Communications are trademarks of their respective organizations.
SOURCE OpenROUTE Networks, Inc.
-0- 10/8/97
/CONTACT: Joe M. Grillo of OpenROUTE Networks, Inc., 508-898-2800,
jmg@openroute.com or Roger Lauze of Stauch Vetromile Mitchell, 401-438-0614,
rlauze@svmmarcom.com/ |
