Cisco Systems will add support for the Secure Sockets
Layer protocol to its virtual private network
hardware.
Many smaller suppliers have been shipping SSL VPN technology for
two years, but analysts said Cisco's entry should be welcomed by
the networking suppliers' installed base.
Cisco's latest offering, called WebVPN, will also let companies
use their existing 3030 appliance to provide both IPsec and SSL VPN
functionality.
Cisco officials said WebVPN will be built into concentrators in
January and will be made available at no extra cost to existing
users.
There are millions of Cisco's VPN 3000 Series concentrators in
use, which will give the company a big advantage in bringing SSL
VPN capabilities to market, said Joel Conover, an analyst at
Current Analysis.
"Cisco's entry will have a profound impact on the SSL VPN
market. It changes the competitive nature of the market," Conover
said.
He said the first release of WebVPN has weaknesses, including an
inability to support web portals based on Citrix Systems' software.
Some of the shortcomings because the VPN 3000 line is three years
old.
Conover said the devices cannot handle more than 200 concurrent
users, which could be a drawback for IT managers who need to
support thousands of users and do not want to stack numerous
concentrators.
But Conover expected Cisco to make needed improvements quickly
and eventually dominate SSL VPNs as it does so many other parts of
the networking market.
Having IPsec and SSL VPN functionality in a single box will help
Cisco because many companies need both technologies, said Zeus
Kerravala, an analyst at The Yankee Group.
For many smaller suppliers of SSL VPNs, Cisco's entry into the
market with a free offering "means their future is pretty limited",
he said.
Kerravala added that in a survey last month, of the 248 large
and midsized companies, about 95% said they would consider buying
SSL VPN technology from Cisco.
Matt Hamblen writes for Computerworld