IBM has created a virtual private network (VPN) for developers that
aims to reduce the cost and time associated with porting and
testing applications for IBM servers and software.
A VPN is a secure method of transmitting data over the public
Internet as if the user were working on a local area network
(LAN).
The VPN will be used by members of IBM's PartnerWorld for
Developers programme, said Tim Robinson, a technical consultant in
IBM developer relations. The normal course of porting applications
to IBM's products involves developers flying to Solution
Partnership Centres (SPCs) to test their applications, he said.
By using the VPN, said Robinson, developers would not have to
travel as much. Added to that, using the VPN to start porting
applications to IBM platforms would take days, rather than the
weeks it takes to begin using the old method, he said.
Although all applications worked on in the developers programme
would be ported to IBM platforms, the VPN will offer clients for
the Windows, Linux, Macintosh, and Solaris operating systems, he
said.
The new service adds graphical user interfaces and encrypted data
transmission to IBM's current iNet Porting service. Robinson said
that the costs associated with using the VPN will be the same as
the standard testing service.
Robinson expects that as many as 25% to 33% of IBM's current
PartnerWorld for Developers members will use the service in 2002.
The service is currently available in the US, and will begin
worldwide distribution in the first quarter of 2002, Robinson said.