VIA Technologies has released the VIA Java Cryptography Service Provider (VIA JCP), an add-on package that enables the Java Runtime Environment offload AES encryption and random-number generation to the VIA PadLock Security Engine integrated into VIA C7-M and VIA C7 processors. The VIA JCP enables Java-based applications that utilize the Java Cryptography Architecture to benefit from the military-grade protection offered by the VIA PadLock Security Engine with no program modification. Running in the background of Windows and Linux, the VIA JCP requires no user interaction or maintenance. The VIA JCP can accelerate these AES cipher functions by up to 90 times, enabling real-time encryption of data with low processor utilization, and strengthens the process of private/public key creation through utilizing the unprecedented speed and quality of VIA PadLock's quantum based random-number generators to build an unshakable foundation for security. The VIA JCP is available for free download at http://www.viaarena.com. VIA Technologies
940 Mission Court
Fremont, CA 94539
510-683-3300 http://www.via.com.tw/
IBM Rational has announced support for Visual Studio .NET 2005. The IBM Rational Functional Tester is an automated functional and regression testing tool for Java and Web-based applications that supports shell integration for VS.NET 2005 for automated test development. IBM Rational Functional Tester leverages VB.NET as the scripting language and is hosted in the Visual Studio .NET 2005 shell. Testers choose between Eclipse and .NET for their test script development environment. IBM Rational Performance Tester, a load and performance testing solution that helps teams pinpoint scalability concerns, now integrates with Tivoli's composite application management and monitoring products. IBM
1133 Westchester Avenue
White Plains, NY 10604 http://www-306.i
In this volume of Best of BYTE, we explore the emergence of some heuristic algorithms. Although we have only scratched the surface of this intriguing subject, we hope we've suggested the potential of the synthesis of heuristics and algorithms.
