Microsoft Delivers Enterprise-Level Performance and Scale With Virtual Private Networking in Windows 2000

REDMOND, Wash., March 1, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that NSTL Inc. tests have illustrated the first real-world performance validation of both 5,000 simultaneous point-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP) and 5,000 simultaneous layer two tunneling protocol (L2TP/IPSec) virtual private networking (VPN) connections, as much as two to five times the number of tunnels than other server-based VPNs at this level of performance. The tests prove that the server-based scalability of Microsoft® Windows® 2000 VPN meets the needs of even the largest organizations for as low as $5 per connection while proving the scalability ranges of PPTP and L2TP/IPSec on a server-based VPN gateway. Results also show site-to-site performance as high as 70 Mbps using L2TP/IPSec protocol, exceeding the connection speed of most server-based VPNs. With everything needed for integrated VPN, Windows 2000 is an ideal solution for businesses of all sizes, and it now offers large customers secure remote access with enterprise performance and scale at less than half the price of other server-based VPN solutions.

“In the age of connected businesses, customers require a secure, fast, scalable and affordable way to connect their employees, customers and partners to their Business Internet. Microsoft is addressing this customer need with Windows 2000,”
said Deborah Willingham, vice president of Windows Marketing at Microsoft.
“NSTL proves that Windows 2000 Advanced Server can deliver this scalability without compromising on price or performance.”

Organizations are moving to remote access through Internet links using VPN technology to reduce long-distance and 800 telephone-number charges for traditional direct-dial connections. In the past, companies were constrained by performance and scalability in server-based solutions, and add-on software made installation and configuration complex. Today, two approaches to VPN solutions are available: open server platform or hardware appliances. Windows 2000 Advanced Server is an exceptional choice for customers that want the flexibility of a multipurpose server solution without having to compromise performance. Windows 2000 Professional is a powerful, complementary and interoperable client solution for customers planning to use enterprise VPN solutions from vendors such as Cisco Systems Inc., Lucent Technologies Inc., Nortel Networks Corp. and 3Com Corp. that have committed to support its native standards-based capabilities.

“The Windows 2000 VPN solution provides Continental’s remote sales representatives with the platform they need to remain competitive and outsell the competition,”
said Eric Craig, manager of Distributed Systems at Continental Airlines Inc.
“We wouldn’t have even considered doing this without Windows 2000 VPN technology.”

“VPN support is built-in and integrated with the security,”
said Patrick Husting, chief technology officer at eHome.
“That means we didn’t have to acquire, test and configure a third-party product, which saves both software and administration costs. The amount of time saved with its ease of functionality is incredible.”

With Windows 2000, Microsoft delivers a complete, secure, scalable and manageable remote-access solution with true standards-based interoperability for customers ranging from small businesses to the enterprise. The Windows 2000 Server operating system includes a VPN gateway, authentication, and policy management and deployment tools out of the box. Rich reporting, accounting and trend analysis from Telco Research Corp. is also included as part of the resource kit.

All versions of the Windows 2000 operating system include VPN client capability with choices for security protocols and authentication methods to address diverse deployment requirements. Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)-standard L2TP/IPSec protocol is included for situations that demand the most advanced remote-access security, and the broadly supported PPTP protocol can be utilized for simpler and lower-cost situations. Both protocols offer customers the option to use smart cards and other strong authentication services to increase remote-access security, and both integrate with Windows 2000 user account and remote-access policy management. Windows 2000 Server is licensed for up to 1,000 simultaneous VPN, and dial-up remote access connections and Windows 2000 Advanced Server is licensed for up to 5,000 simultaneous connections.

About the NSTL Test Results

The NSTL tests were done on a four-processor Intel Xeon 550MHz system with 1 GB of RAM, the Windows 2000 Advanced Server operating system and Intel Pro/100 S Server adapters for IPSec encryption offload. For remote-access connections, the tests showed that such a system can support 5,000 simultaneous users at typical remote-access loads through 56Kbps links. Details regarding the NSTL testing can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/library/howitworks/
communications/remoteaccess/vpnperf.asp
.

About Windows 2000 and Microsoft

Windows 2000 is an ideal platform for the next generation of business computing and addresses the full range of customers’ computing needs, from laptops and desktops to high-end clustered servers. The operating system helps organizations Internet-enable their business with a reliable, manageable infrastructure that is optimized for existing and emerging hardware. More information about Windows 2000 is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/ and http://www.microsoft.com/technet/ .

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.

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