Tim Greene

Already knee-deep in the Internet Protocol (IP) telephony and converged network world, Avaya Inc. announced Monday it has extended its capabilities to the branch office/remote worker to increase collaboration between connected and disconnected employees.

ServGate Technologies Inc. has announced a multifunction security platform to which customers can add hardware and software as traffic and network security needs grow.

VocalTec Communications Ltd. this week released its carrier-grade softswitch, which VocalTec is initially targeting at long-distance carriers that want to take advantage of the lower cost of IP versus traditional voice.

Businesses looking to make better use of expensive WAN links have a new option: a PC-based Linux appliance that compresses data traffic so businesses can send more over existing connections without having to buy bigger pipes.

SnowShore Networks Inc. is introducing an appliance for service providers that processes IP traffic so it can cross between carrier networks without losing service-quality markers or being dropped altogether.

With IP Security VPNs established as a preferred method of remote access, businesses now must weigh an array of options that can make deploying and managing these VPNs less daunting.

Aventail Corp., which only recently introduced a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) appliance for Net-based remote access, is now enhancing it with software to reach more types of applications.

Users looking for a fast, secure way to link remote employees and business partners are finding myriad choices to avoid deploying traditional IP Security-based VPNs and instead install products or services based on Secure Sockets Layer technology.