AEP awarded SSL VPN gateway patent, mulls licensing the technology out

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: TIM GREENE ON VPNS
10/06/05
Today's focus: AEP awarded SSL VPN gateway patent, mulls
licensing the technology out

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* What impact does AEP's SSL VPN gateway patent have on the
industry?
* Links related to VPNs
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: AEP awarded SSL VPN gateway patent, mulls
licensing the technology out

By Tim Greene

AEP Networks has won a patent for the technology that is
underlying its SSL VPN gateways, but it is unclear whether the
issue of a patent will have an impact on others making SSL
gateways.

The patent has been awarded for SSL VPNs based on a very general
description that seems to incorporate what other vendors are
doing.

The patent was granted for "apparatus and accompanying methods
for providing, through a centralized server site, an integrated
virtual office environment, remotely accessible via a
network-connected Web browser, with remote network monitoring
and management capabilities," AEP says.

Typically in cases where a company wins a patent on a technology
already in wide use it sets up licensing arrangements with other
vendors that are already using it. It is unclear what AEP plans
to do.

A spokesman for the company says it's too soon to decide whether
the patent applies to other products: "This patent was just
recently (July) awarded to us, and at this point we're just
announcing that we have it. We're currently exploring all of our
options and opportunities, which may include licensing relevant
aspects of the technology covered by the patent."

That's certainly vague enough to leave open the possibility that
it will try to license its technology but doesn't address
whether it thinks others are infringing the patent.

The downside for customers is that it may increase the cost of
these devices slightly - or more likely reduce the decline of
prices as the prices of this gear have been dropping over time.

If licensing does come about, it will of course be good for AEP,
which has been buying up other companies in an effort to boost
revenue and work its way into selling security gear to the
government.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. How to solve Windows system crashes in minutes
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlvpn7729>
2. Nortel faces uphill battle
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlvpn8135>
3. Cisco pushes new security software
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlvpn8136>
4. WLAN QoS specification approved
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlvpn8285>
5. Somebody's got to pick up the 'Net's tab
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlvpn8286>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Tim Greene

Tim Greene is a senior editor at Network World, covering virtual
private networking gear, remote access, core switching and local
phone companies. You can reach him at <mailto:tgreene@nww.com>.
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Sybase

It sounds so simple: if you collect enough business information,
you'll glean valuable insights that can drive both revenue
growth and competitive advantage. Along the way, however,
companies are discovering that managing the explosive growth of
online data can prove a formidable challenge. Here's how to
assess your data management style, and maximize your
opportunities to turn online data into business opportunity.
Click here for more on taming the data explosion.
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=116806
_______________________________________________________________
ARCHIVE LINKS

Breaking VPN news from Network World, updated daily:
http://www.networkworld.com/topics/firewalls.html

Archive of the VPN newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/vpn/index.html
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