IP Dynamics delivers Self-Service VPN

IP Dynamics has automated setting up VPNs via its equipment, making it possible for providers to offer VPN services that customers provision on their own.

Called Self-Service VPN, the automated front-end to IP Dynamics’ VPN platform is already being used by Deutsche Telekom to support a service called DirectVPN. IP Dynamics says that within months, SBC, Bell Canada and British Telecom will also offer their own implementations of Self-Service VPN.

In IP Dynamics VPN architecture, users access the VPN via a server that acts similarly to a DNS server. Users must authenticate to it and then the server will connect it with any other machines on that user’s authorization list. The server is centrally administered, and individual users can be added to and withdrawn from VPNs by modifying their authorization.

IP Dynamics gear has performed this way for about three years, but the vendor only now is adding self-provisioning software. This portal allows customers of a service provider to log on and create a list of users they want as members of their VPN. The provisioning software then notifies the selected user by e-mail that they are invited to join the VPN and supplies an auto-installing IPSec agent and user name and password.

When users log on, they find a list of members of the VPN that they can share files with or contact via instant messaging, all secured by IPSec.

The company plans to set up a Web site in July where potential customers can sign-up for a three-month trial of the service.