Zoning/Security Software controls physical layer switches.
Press Release Summary:
IntellaZone Software assigns and secures switches, specific ports, or clusters of ports to individual users or groups. While designed to grant multiple users access at same time, security features ensure ports or switches in use cannot be mistakenly reconfigured. Administrators can assign full or read-only access to individual switches. Zoning features enable administrators to lock entire switches or clusters of ports to prevent direct access.
Original Press Release:
APCON Announces New Multi-User Zoning and Security Software for Physical Layer Switch Line
- New Options Enable Engineers to Ensure Test Reliability and Security -
PORTLAND, OR - Nov. 4, 2002 - APCON, Inc., a leading provider of intelligent physical layer switches for Fibre Channel, Ethernet and SONET, today announced it will provide a new zoning and security software option for its line of physical layer switches. IntellaZone Software enables network administrators and test engineers the ability to assign and secure switches, specific ports, or clusters of ports to individual users or groups.
"Our physical layer switches, when used in conjunction with our multi-user software, are designed to allow multiple users to have access at the same time," said Richard Rauch, APCON president and CEO. "The new zoning and security features ensure that ports or switches in use cannot be mistakenly reconfigured. This is important when an engineer or network administrator is running a prolonged test sequence and needs to prevent unintentional network interruption."
The zoning and security option works with APCON's Control Software for Windows and command line utilities to provide and restrict access to switches and ports based on user access rights. The security feature is activated on the switch level and is maintained within the IntellaZone Software. With this new capability, the switch software will route commands from unassigned users to unsecured switches. It will initiate commands for secured switches only after confirming the appropriate user-permission levels.
Each switch has the ability to host one or more zones, or cluster of ports. When port change commands are issued, the switch proxy identifies the zones for each specified port, then checks to see if the user has permission for that zone. If permission has been assigned, then the changes are allowed.
Administrators engaging the security feature can assign users either full or read-only access to individual switches. Test engineers will value the software's new security and zoning features, which enables administrators to essentially lock either the entire switch or cluster of ports (a zone) to prevent direct access. This is advantageous in the case where a test sequence must run over an extended period of time and cannot be disturbed.
Users have the ability to access the new software capabilities through the Window's GUI, command line interfaces, or via the ASCII command set.
APCON's IntellaPatch physical layer switches are available in 8-, 16-, 32- and 64-port configurations and are designed to remotely automate network connectivity tasks, such as lab setup and configuration. The IntellaPatch switches are an optimal solution for system integrators and test engineers who need to manage configurations between various devices, servers, storage systems, peripherals and operating systems. This "wire-once" solution eliminates manual patching and re-patching, and provides non-blocking, any-to-any connections at wire speed.
The APCON IntellaZone security and zoning software option is now shipping and is priced at $995 (USD).
About APCON, Inc.
APCON, Inc. develops high-speed network hardware to improve the flexibility of enterprise-wide networks and interoperability labs, while enabling systems personnel to implement cost effective alternatives to high-priced hardware. APCON products include INTELLAPATCH physical layer switches, switching automation software, fail-over solutions, and SCSI switches, extenders and boosters. APCON customers include Cisco Systems, Dell Computer, IBM, JNI, Lockheed Martin, McData, and QLogic. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, APCON also maintains sales offices in Texas and South Carolina. For more information, please visit APCON online at www.apcon.com.
APCON is a registered trademark of APCON, Inc. All other trade names referenced are the service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
