More Security for Remote Network Access

Rainer Mauth

Lightning's MultiCom LAN Access Center marries networking and telecommunications features in a secure communications solution for central offices. This multiprotocol router and bridge for remote access, which can link corporate networks over the Internet, ISDN, and leased lines, offers link-level and IP-router-level encryption with 128-bit keys that provide the security needed for banks, insurance and government agencies, or medical applications. It can sit between a private telephone switch and the ISDN network to secure phone and fax transmissions.

You can use MultiCom LAN Access Center to build a secure virtual private network (VPN) over the Internet. The device not only checks the IP addresses of all incomi ng data packages but also controls the addresses of the servers that routed the packages on their way over the Internet. Similarly, if you use the device to secure dial-up ISDN lines, it not only ch ecks that the number given by the central exchange switch is correct but also that the caller didn't manipulate the number, which is possible with some national Euro-ISDN services.

Swiss banks don't accept DES encryption because of the short 52-bit key lengths. That's why the MultiCom router uses IDEA encryption with 128-bit keys. Furthermore, every ISDN or leased line can have its own key. If you use IP-router-level encryption, the device can even assign a key to each IP address.

Overall, the MultiCom LAN Access Center is a good solution for securely linking several remote sites to a central site. The manufacturer says you can connect up to 60 branch offices.

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Where to Find

MultiCom LAN Access
 Center.....................Starts at SFr 6200

Lightning Instrumentation SA
Lausanne, Switzerland
Phone:    +41 21 654 2000
Fax:      +41 21 654 2001
Internet: 
http://www.lightning.ch

Enter 999 on Inquiry Card.

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A Marriage That Works

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