Press Releases

IDS Balancer 3.0 Delivers Ultimate Flexibility in Selecting, Filtering and Distributing Network Traffic

Westboro, MA, October 20, 2004 -

Top Layer Networks (www.TopLayer.com), a provider of globally proven intrusion prevention solutions, today announced the availability of the newest version of its IDS Balancer (Balancer) version 3.0. Top Layer’s Balancer 3.0 is a family of aggregation, filtering and load balancing appliances that extends the range of coverage for network sensors. The Balancer family reduces the capital, maintenance and operations burdens of network sensors while also allowing for new applications such as VoIP, network analyzers and forensics systems to capture and monitor Gigabit Ethernet traffic.

“Our customers need to filter and balance traffic for a variety of network monitoring applications -- including network Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), network analyzers, forensics systems, and content inspection engines,” said Mike Paquette, vice president of technology at Top Layer Networks. “The new improvements to the Balancer provide the ultimate flexibility for customers who seek to improve the scope of their network monitoring initiatives while ensuring they get the most from their existing technology investments.”

The new version of the Balancer enhances the functionality of the appliance by adding features that allow the Balancer to be deployed in new applications, as well as improving the range of coverage for existing network monitoring deployments. New features include:

· New VLAN ID Input Group: In addition to the port-based and IP address-based Input Groups, the Balancer now supports VLAN-based Input Groups. This enables customers to save time and resources by offering additional flexibility in selecting, filtering and distributing traffic to the monitoring sensors.

· New Intelligent Balancing Algorithms: New balancing algorithms give freedom to distribute and view traffic in monitoring sensors as well as enable the Balancer to be deployed in new applications such as balancing of traffic to VoIP recorders used with VoIP PABXs in call center environments.

· Selectable Forwarding of Non-TCP Reset Packets: The Balancer now provides configurable TCP reset packets that enable the Balancer to be used with monitoring sensors that offer web content filtering.

· Application Traffic Flooding: This feature enables customers to specify that traffic for a specific application be flooded to designated Monitor Ports, allowing the use of the Balancer in several new applications such as balancing VoIP traffic in call centers.

The new version of the Balancer works closely with security management software such as that from Computer Associates International, Inc. including eTrust Intrusion Detection, which automatically mounts defenses against distributed denial-of-service and other malicious attacks directed at customers' business, and eTrust Network Forensics, which identifies how business assets are affected by network exploits, internal data theft, and security or HR policy violations.

“Top Layer’s Balancer enables our eTrust Intrusion Detection and eTrust Network Forensics customers to monitor and capture Gigabit Ethernet traffic from backbone or aggregate links – with no software integration required,” said Yiannis Vassiliades, product manager for eTrust security management at CA. “CA will continue to work closely with Top Layer Networks so that mutual customers can take advantage of the company’s robust security technology within the context of their eTrust-managed security environments.”

The Balancer 3.0 helps organizations overcome the high costs associated with the large number of network sensors needed for complete coverage in traditional network monitoring by allowing the monitoring solutions to scale and enabling sensors to sustain the volume of monitored traffic. In addition, the Balancer allows for simultaneous monitoring of different applications, such as network IDS and network analyzers, and lets sensors work more effectively in asymmetrical networks by merging asymmetrical flows. The Balancer also adds N+1 redundancy for the monitoring sensors, ensuring optimal coverage reach of existing technology investments ? even at Gigabit Ethernet speeds.

About Top Layer’s Balancer

The Balancer is an aggregation, filtering and load balancing appliance that reduces the capital, maintenance, and operations expenditures for network monitoring solutions such as network Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), network analyzers, forensics systems and content inspection engines, while increasing monitoring coverage. The Balancer family of appliances recently achieved Common Criteria certification and works with any traditional network monitoring solution.

For more information on Top Layer's Balancer 3.0 visit http://www.toplayer.com/content/products/intrusion_detection/ids_balancer.jsp

For case studies on IDS Balancing http://www.toplayer.com/content/products/intrusion_detection/ids_balancer_case.jsp

About Top Layer Networks, Inc.

Founded in 1997, Top Layer Networks (http://www.TopLayer.com) develops network security solutions that enable enterprises worldwide to protect their infrastructure and critical online assets from cyber threats. The Company’s patented, ASIC-based products are engineered to deliver accurate and reliable protection mechanisms while operating as robust in-line network devices. Top Layer Networks is headquartered in Westboro, Massachusetts with sales and support presence in France, Germany, Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom.

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