Microsoft joins SSL VPN appliance market

Stephen Withers
Friday, 02 February 2007 12:17

Business IT - Security

Microsoft has joined forces with Celestix Networks and Network Engines to deliver appliances running the software giant's Intelligent Application Gateway (IAG) 2007, a combination of Internet Security and Acceleration Server plus SSL VPN technology.

SSL VPN provides a relatively simple method of providing secure access to web-based applications such as Outlook Web Mail and SAS. Many networking companies already offer SSL VPN appliances, including Avantail, Cisco, F5 Networks and WatchGuard.

Microsoft and its partners claim to offer prices and licensing arrangements that make the implementation of SSL VPN cost effective for small businesses and large enterprises alike. For example, a switch to licensing based on the number of authenticated users or devices rather than concurrent users is said to provide more flexible and scalable pricing and licensing. We're puzzled by this: unless the per-user cost has been reduced (Microsoft didn't talk dollars in the announcement), concurrent user licensing is cheaper for customers as only a fraction of the user population is likely to need access at any one time.

What has been simplified is that the price includes the various modules and connectors that are traditionally licensed separately.

Microsoft inherited the SSL VPN technology used in IAG 2007 when it acquired Whale Communications in July 2006.