Alcatel-Lucent releases cloud-based VPN for biz apps

Alcatel-Lucent announced a new cloud-based VPN service plan for service providers targeting enterprises. The Application-Assured VPN client will lower expenses by eliminating the need to have equipment at each business location in order to offer applications like VoIP, Citrix, IM and video conferencing, according to the company.

The Application-Assured client takes deep-packet inspection functions usually done on premise into the network, the company said. The offering also contains a Web portal that allows enterprises to monitor application prioritization and bandwidth usage.

"Current offerings provide limited visibility and control at the service level, or there is the option to add appliances that require time and money and add to the overall complexity," said Jim Metzler, vice president of Ashton & Metzler Associates, in a prepared statement. "In contrast, this integrated approach provides the ability to drill down and have visibility, monitoring and control at a very granular application level. This is going to provide a significant advantage for enterprises who are buying a network-based VPN service."

Alcatel-Lucent said service providers that have deployed its Service Router portfolio simply can install a new "services card" to begin offering the services. 

For more:
- see the Alcatel-Lucent press release here

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