the Pipeline

Moving at warp speed

There's no network so fast that it couldn't benefit from being faster, at least in the opinion of the person trying to download the latest Flash animation before the boss gets back from lunch.

To meet the demand for speed, HyperSpace Communications Inc. has released HyperTunnel, a product that accelerates the performance of wide-area networks (WANs), Web traffic, images, network applications and client/server

applications.

Most effective when used in last-mile settings, HyperTunnel dynamically compresses data flowing in both directions to increase download and upload speeds. It also packs data into smaller and fewer packets to further smooth the flow. Additionally, the software sends applications through a single port, increasing security by minimizing the number of ports exposed to the WANs.

SMC Networks Inc. has added new technology to its line of 802.11g products to make them faster. Specifically, globespanVitra's PRISM Nitro XM performance-

enhancing technology will go into SMC's Barricade g wireless routers and EZ Connect wireless adapters.

Colubris Networks Inc. has introduced intelligent access devices, including the CN3200 and CN320 for public hot spot networks, and the CN1250 and CN1220 for enterprise networks. They add wireless local-area network (WLAN) security features and support for other security standards, allowing you to securely log on from remote

locations.

Of course, with all the data flying around these days, management tools are in demand, too. The company also offers the Colubris Networks Management System, providing centralized management of intelligent WLAN access equipment.

Network Associates Inc. officials recently released the InfiniStream Network Management solution, which blends continuous data capture and 3 terabytes of storage capacity with advanced network analysis capabilities.

Finally, Intermec Technologies Corp. announced that its 700 and 700 Color Series of mobile computers have been approved for voice transmission on the AT&T Wireless Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)/Global Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network. The ruggedized handheld computers support GPRS wireless technology and GSM, both world standards for digital wireless transmissions. The support allows users to make phone calls when within range of AT&T's network.

The computers themselves, running Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Pocket PC operating system, are designed to survive bumps, scrapes and harsh conditions, such as found in combat zones, disaster sites or Fox News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor."

Speaking of Microsoft, the software company recently rolled out a beta version of Microsoft Internet and Security Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004, sporting advanced application layer protection for Microsoft applications.

The company is offering deeper content-inspection capabilities, enhanced integration with Microsoft Exchange Server, fully integrated virtual private networking (VPN) and support for more authentication mechanisms such as Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service and RSA SecurID, said Joel Sloss product manager with Microsoft's security business and technology unit.

Built-in VPN support for site-to-site IPSec tunneling could allow FBI agents in branch offices protected by a firewall appliance to securely communicate using ISA Server in the data center, he said.