"As more and more applications and devices are used within today's enterprise, a vast increase in bandwidth demand is creating huge amounts of network traffic. Nortel calls this trend Hyperconnectivity and it is forcing people to rethink how they design their networks," said Aziz Khadbai, general manager, Converged Data Networks, Nortel. "Nortel is addressing this challenge and the security impact that comes with it by building a portfolio that is simple to deploy, flexible and secure."
One of the most significant new developments in Nortel's Business Optimized Network Strategy, first announced in May, is the collaboration with Microsoft to integrate Microsoft Network Access Protection (NAP) protocols with Nortel Secure Network Access (SNA). This integration gives customers greater flexibility in deploying comprehensive security solutions and addressing security concerns that exist within the network infrastructure, an area increasingly at risk as more unsecured hardware devices are added to the network.
"Microsoft is continuing to collaborate with Nortel on technologies that are critical to customers who need simple and fast solutions for their businesses. Nortel brings a tremendous amount of networking and telecommunications expertise as a NAP partner enabling customers to deploy a comprehensive, open and flexible, end-to-end solution," said Calvin Choe, senior program manager, Enterprise Networking Group, Microsoft.
Nortel's network and security infrastructure can be deployed alongside Microsoft NAP components providing customers an end-to-end solution built around both technologies. Nortel SNA is available today and Microsoft has announced that NAP will be available in Windows Server 2008.
Nortel is further executing on this strategy with a new release of the Nortel VPN Gateway 7.0 that extends to remote end-users enhanced end-point security and protection against loss or exposure of confidential information. It also addresses the access and security requirements for delivering increased levels of bandwidth to an extended community of employees, contractors, partners, and customers.