|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|||
 |
|||||
 |
     
|
 |
First Look: OmniWerks Boards Add Security At Net EdgeBy Bernard Cole Campbell, Ca. --- Sensing there is a significant need for added network security for wired and wireless devices and systems near the network edge, new start up Omniwerks Inc. this week entered the market with its Secure Internet Station Development Kit. “It is a less secure world now and the 'information superhighway' from the network core to the edge is not immune,” said Brian Hoyer, founder, president and CEO of the new company. “ With ubiquitous 24/7 connectivity systems in homes and business, be they PCs or servers or wireless base stations, security penetrations now often come from the network, with hackers trying to get into systems via one of the many ports that are open to network.” Previously, Hoyer headed Boulder Creek Engineering focused on building a variety of FPGA development tools, before it was purchased by Altera Corp., where he invented the Nios Soft-Core Microprocessor which is now incorporated into OmniWerks' products. In small to medium businesses in particular, he said, there is a need for a quick way to add the necessary higher levels of security without becoming a security expert. In addition, said Hoyer, there is an opportunity to provide an essentially complete solution to embedded developers in industrial, automotive and consumer applications who are looking to use wireless technology not only as a means by which to easily link embedded control nodes, but as a way to gain connectivity between their internal control area networks and the external Internet. To service this need, the company is introducing two versions of its Secure Internet Station development kits, complete end-to-end solutions to add secure network operability to the embedded networking infrastructure near the network edge. A 802.11(b) version specifically targets designers of embedded systems for industrial, consumer, and automotive applications who require wireless capabilities, while a 10/100 kit provides the same level of security, interoperability, and ease-of-use in a wired system. "In the past, connectivity in wireless was just a matter of delivering a valid stream of bits from points A to B,” said John Yin, co-founder and CTO. “That isn't good enough anymore. Today, with a new global awareness of security issues, strong security needs to be designed in from product inception. OmniWerks is implementing the powerful IPSec protocol on an embedded networking platform to provide strong encryption and authentication to new markets." Previously Yin founded a security firm, RedCreek Communications and while with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), was responsible for building the network security at the White House. OmniWerks developments kits incorporate such standard off-the-shelf technology as an 802.11(b) radio, Altera's 32-bit Nios microprocessor core, compact flash interface, SPI to connect A/D and D/A, and a small footprint real time operating system (RTOS). To these standard components, the company has added a proprietary security engine, digital certificates, and software for access and control from any PC or workstation. Security protocol support in the Omnistation includes the SHTTP/SSL for web servers, data bases and other streaming applications; PPTP for remote virtual enterprise connectivity; IPSEC, the standard for stong authentication and data cncryption; the 802.10 protocol independent data link services; and 802.11 WEP for basic wireless connectivity. OmniStation 802.11(b) and OmniStation Ethernet development kits will be available for purchase in Q4, 2002 and Q3, respectively. Both are priced at $2495 per unit. For more information, go to www.omniwerks.com |
 |
|
|||||
Terms and Conditions Privacy Statement |
||||||||||
