Remote Access Server RFP for Abbig Corporation

Submitted by:
Osicom Technologies, Inc.
9020 Junction Drive
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701
(888) OSICOM-8
www.osicom.com

IQX-200 Overview

Osicom Technologies' IQX-200 is a Remote Access Server/Remote Access Concentrator designed specifically for today's high-speed internet, intranet, and extranet applications. The IQX-200 combines a unique mix of WAN and LAN interfaces making it ideal for ISPs and enterprise network managers in search of cost-effective remote access solutions. The IQX-200's PCI-based scalable architecture accommodates growth from 4 to 96 ports. Its modular technology allows quick and easy installation of additional port density.

Listed below are a few of the key features that the IQX-200 has to offer.

• Provides remote users connection to a central LAN or LANs
• Supports Leased-line (T1/F-T1, DDS), ISDN (PRI, BRI) and Dial-up (V.90)
• Scalable from 4 to 96 ports
• Supports up to (96) 56K/V.90 digital modems
• 10/100 Ethernet LANs (FDDI, CDDI also available)
• Security features include PAP, CHAP, and RADIUS
• Management inlcudes SNMP, Telnet, HTML, and Console
• Routes IP and IPX protocols
• Supports PPP, MPPP, and Frame Relay (64 DLCIs per T1)
• Flash memory for software downloads
• Internet/Intranet/Extranet

The IQX-200 has the capability to combine a variety of WAN technologies (T1, ISDN BRI/PRI, and frame relay) in a single chassis. It also has the unique capability to identify the type of inbound call (i.e. ISDN or dial-up) and terminate it to the appropriate port, all on the same WAN interface card. These capabilities allow network administrators to take advantage of concentrating their wide area network requirements into a flexible, scalable solution.

Background

Abbig Corporation currently has 30,000 employees worldwide and over the next six months wants to enable 20% of their workforce to work remotely either part time or full time. Abbig Corporation is seeking a remote access server solution for their central site and regional offices throughout the world.

Current Network and Applications

Abbig Corporation's current network is made up of a central office and 10 regional or branch offices. The central office has a Gigabit Ethernet backbone and is fed by many Fast Ethernet LAN switches. The corporate network officially uses only two protocols, IP and IPX. There are three main categories of employees that have different application needs and will be working remotely: telecommuters, mobile sales force, and executives. Methodology and Assumtpions Osicom Technologies has provided a detailed response to the Remote Access Server RFP, including a description of the application, proposed Osicom solution, overall equipment costs, and a network diagram.

In preparing the response, Osicom designed its solution in a way to seamlessly coexist and function with Abbig Corporation's existing network. By doing this, Osicom was able to eliminate changes to the current equipment and network and thus provide an economical and cost effective solution.

In preparing its response, Osicom Technologies made assumptions as to the ratio of users to RAS ports (i.e. DS0s, digital modems, and B-channels), based upon Osicom's interpretation of the data provided by Abbig Corporation. Other assumptions made include the type of connection for each group of user. A description of each follows.

Telecommuters
Telecommuters use standard business applications and access the LAN for email and file transfers. Their activities are fairly low bandwidth and they generally need to access the corporate network twice a day for about 30 minutes each time.

Assumption: Telecommuters typically are accessing the network from a single site, such as their home, and therefore would be ideal for using ISDN for a switched connection or dedicated service such as DDS or frame relay. For the purpose of this RFP, Osicom proposes the use of ISDN at 64K (one B-channel per user), for telecommuters.

Mobile Sales Force
The mobile sales force uses standard business applications like the telecommuters, but they also use an enterprise-wide sales and inventory tracking application. The sales force needs to continuously synchronize with the central network to report their sales and receive current inventory data. They may need to connect to the central site 10 times for 10 minutes each time everyday.

Assumption: A mobile sales force typically needs to access the network from multiple locations, such as hotels, vendor sites, home, etc. For the purpose of this RFP, Osicom proposes the use of standard analog dial-up connections, for the mobile sales force.

Executives
The last group, the executives, are located mainly at the corporate central site. They need to access the standard business applications, as well as sales tracking applications. Executives are only working remotely part of the time and need to access the central site on average one time per day, but generally remain connected for almost an hour each time.

Assumption: Executives, just like the mobile sales force needs to access the network from multiple locations, such as hotels, vendor sites, home, etc. For the purpose of this RFP, Osicom proposes the use of standard analog dial-up connections, for executive users.

Central Office

There are 5,000 users in the central office that use the corporate network. One thousand of the users at the central office need be able to work remotely. The breakdown of the proposed thousand remote users is as follows: 500 of the users are telecommuters, 300 are in the mobile sales force and 200 of the remote users are executives.

Calculations for the central office equipment are based upon a typical 8 hour work day and the associated usage. Since the timing of inbound connections will vary, the ratio of users to ports has been cut in half to increase the percentage of equipment being used at any given time. This provides a high level of availability without having to go to a 1:1 ratio of users to ports, which would be impractical and cost inhibitive.

Note: the equipment listed above satisfies the requirements for 1 central office site as detailed in the RFP.

Note: the equipment listed above satisfies the requirements for 1 central office site as detailed in the RFP.

Regional Offices

There are 10 regional offices throughout the world. The regional offices are identical in terms of their structure and staffing characteristics. Each of the 10 regional offices has 2500 employees that use the network. 500 users at each of the regional offices need to work remotely. There are 250 telecommuters, 240 mobile sales force and 10 executives at each regional office.

Calculations for the regional offices equipment are based upon a typical 8 hour work day and the associated usage. Since the timing of inbound connections will vary, the ratio of users to ports has been cut in half to increase the percentage of equipment being used at any given time. This provides a high level of availability without having to go to a 1:1 ratio of users to ports, which would be impractical and cost inhibitive.

* Calculations based upon assumptions previously stated

IQX-200 Remote Access Server Equipment list and pricing:

Note: the equipment listed above satisfies the requirements for 1 regional office. The RFP requires 10 identical regional offices, thus the overall regional offices equipment cost is $303,750 ($30,375 x 10 regional offices).

Total Equipment Expenditure

The following table lists the total IQX-200 equipment expenditure for Abbig Corporation.

Site	Description	List
Central Office	Equipment to accommodate over 1,000 remote users with further expansion capabilities	$63,960
Regional Offices	Equipment to accommodate over 500 remote users at each of the 10 regional offices with further expansion capabilities	$303,750
Total Network		$367,710

Conclusion

Osicom Technologies appreciates the opportunity to provide Abbig Corporation with a solution for its current network remote access needs. Osicom believes its IQX-200 RAS/RAC solution provided within is a flexible, cost-effective and reliable way to satisfy Abbig Corporations requirements.

For further information regarding the IQX-200 or for clarification of any items contained within this document please contact Osicom Technologies at (888) OSICOM-8 or visit us on the web at www.osicom.com.

Proposed network diagram

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