GAWDA Webinar:Virtual Private Networks

Presented By INFONETICS, Inc.

David J. Frea is President of INFONETICS, Inc., a software supplier to Welding Supply and Industrial Gas distributors. INFONETICS has been an NWSA/GAWDA associate member since 1988, and holds a seat on the GAWDA Management Information committee. Mr. Frea can be reached by phone at 614-875-2006 or email djf@infonetx.com.

RITA+VPN: INTERNET COMMUNICATIONS

Internet is predominately a communications tool.TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol Developed in ’73 by Vint Cerf. Used widely by D.O.D. in the 80’s. Defacto networking standard for UNIX systems.

Finally implemented by Microsoft in Windows’95.

Became Microsoft standard networking protocol with “Windows98”.

Packetizes data, transmits through a series of routes.

Many to many topology, redundant.

The Old Way:LEASED DATA LINES

Traditional approach to data communications to distributors branches.Very reliable, low in bandwidth, expensive. 9600 baud (9.6Kbaud) analog, point-to-point, 2 or 4-wire leased lines. 56,000 baud (56Kbaud) digital circuits. Frame Relay -- geographically diverse areas.

(proprietary version of the Internet developed by telcos) Simple dial-up phone lines (non-toll)

Costs range: $50/mo for simple dial-up, to nearly $1000/mo for higher speed data circuits Expensive when crossing telco borders. Held high due to local telco tariffs and fees. Usually “leased” by the customer.

Dumb Terminals vs.IP-based Devices

Dumb terminals/printers “serial communications”: Requires one-to-one connection between host and terminal. Multiplexors enable multiple serial devices over single circuit. Moderately expensive communications gear (modems, DSU's,

multiplexors). Terminal equipment; affordable, simple, easily maintained.

“IP” based devices: Communications traffic carried over common link. Inexpensive communications gear (routers, hubs). Terminal equipment (PC’s/Print Servers); expensive, complex,

software maintenance. Personal productivity software; word processing, spreadsheets,

internet access, email and multimedia.

RITA - Remote Internet Terminal Access (telnet)Communications is carried over Local Area Network (LAN) or Internet Uses low-cost, local connection to Internet. No long distance toll charges or expensive leased line. Ideal for a telecommuter or mobile sales force. Can provide “Extranet” access B2B – UASI/Westgate

RITA - Remote Internet Terminal Access

TELNET: Widely used method of communicating between computers. End-users computer is simple display device. Terminal Emulator/TELNET program used to connect to

host/server. Host computer processes all keystrokes, controls access to

software & data. Very prevalent in today's mainframe/legacy systems.

RITA - Remote Internet Terminal Access

Security issues; Communications is un-encrypted. Can be eavesdropped on (theoretically) by unscrupulous

individuals on the Internet. Hardware based firewalls must be deployed. Login/passwording must be well managed on servers. All Window’s PC’s have some form of “telnet” built-in. Software change so only “root” can change passwords.

VPN – Virtual Private Network

Encrypted communications between devices. Both ends use a common encryption key, also known as a

"private key". VPN router devices uses private key to encrypt all packets.

Secure/reliable, even on public networks.

VPN TUNNELING - Wide Area Network

Encrypted “tunnel” through the Internet.Local Area Networks (LANs) connected as a Wide Area Network (WAN)Enables secure exchange of all types of networked based services: RITA - Terminal Emulator/TELNET program used to connect

to host/server. File and Print Sharing, Network File System(NFS), I: drive. All services typically associated with a Local Area Network

(LAN)

Security Issues Dramatically Reduced

Other Internet ServicesInternet access means much more than just communication route. Web Browsing: Enable PC users to visit manufacturers web sites

for product information and the ability to place and check on the status of orders.

Email: Perhaps the most ubiquitous tool for the 20th century. Replaces phone calls to branches (and long distance tolls). Send email to multiple parties at the same time, reduces duplicate

efforts. Instant Messaging:

Newest, instant, non-verbal, communications. Rivals telephone in ability to interrupt.

VoIP: Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol. VoIP phones allows connect telephone handsets in the branch to the

main phone system in your central office.

Types Of Connections

"IP" communications utilize a variety of types of Internet connections. T-1 circuits provide the highest bandwidth available;

1500Kbaud. Highest price point too; $900-$1,500/month. DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)/Cable modems offer fast

speeds; 128Kbaud-768Kbaud. Less expensive; $30-$120/month.

Simple 56Kbaud dial-up circuits; $15-$25/month plus cost of phone line. 56Kbaud dial-up lines should be used only as a last resort for small branches.

Full-time access needed at main office.“Static IP address” required.

CASE STUDY

Moderate sized, independent welding supply/industrial gas distributor in Southeast.

Four remote branches, 150mile radius, 2 crossed state lines (inter-lata).

Traditional 4-wire, 9600 baud, analog, leased lines = $1,200/mo for 3 branches.

Estimated cost of 4th branch prohibitive at $800/mo. Total = $2,000/mo.

CASE STUDY

56K point-to-point digital circuits rejected. No savings.

56K Frame Relay rejected. Small savings, large hardware investment.

DSL implemented at main office ($80/mo) and 2 branches ($60/mo) = $200/mo.

Cable modem at 2 branches = $75/mo. Total Internet Connectivity = $350/mo. Estimated savings = $1,650/mo. 15 month Return On Investment

PITFALLS

DSL & CableTV ramp-up problems. Installation schedules typically aren’t met. DO NOT OPT FOR SELF-INSTALLATION. DO NOT DISCONNECT LEGACY EQUIPMENT (leased

lines) UNTIL NEW SERVICE IS FULLY FUNCTIONAL. Do not sign long-term contracts.

PC’s require more software maintenance & configuration.

Employee training considerations. Internet acceptable use policy needed.

RITA+VPN QUESTIONS

INFONETICSProduct Offerings

VPN: Virtual Private Networking VPN Routers – $249 LAN & WAN Setup – $895 setup, plus hourly rate

INET: Internet Access – Provisioning & setup$295 1st PC, $149/additional PC’splus hourly rate for on-site work

Web Hosting/Email – $680 setup$400/yr hosting fee, $100/yr secure server

Email: $60/mailbox/yr(Q10=$48/yr, Q20=$36/yr, Q30=$24/yr)

iCat: Internet Catalog – $400 setup,3 content updates/yr at $100/update

INFOTERM - $1100, 1.8gHz Celeron, 15” monitor, TinyTERM (telnet) software included.

VOIP – Voice Over Internet Phones

INFONETICS forEXPERIENCE

Founded in late ’70s, specializing in software for Welding Supply & Industrial Gas distributors.

Over 200 major installations in 34 states & P.R. Windows PC Network integration – Mid 90’s

(WFW3.0) INET (Internet Access) – 5+ years Web & Email hosting – 4+ years RITA (telnet) – 2+ years VPN capabilities added Summer ’02

INFONETICS forSOFTWARE/HARDWARE Classic software handles all facets of business

needs; Point-Of-Sale Back-end accounting Handhelds

Hardware; Custom built UNIX servers Custom built INFOTERM/PC’s Handhelds – Symbol Symbol SPT-1800 for Point-Of-

Delivery and Serial Number tracking

INFONETICS forLEADERSHIP

Research & Development at the forefront of many technological sectors

PC Network integration Price Disks Handhelds Web Hosting Internet Access RITA+VPN iCat – Internet Catalog

GAWDA – Management Information subcommittee member

INFONETICS forSUPPORT

Best Of Breed software yields low support requirements.

“RAVING Fans” throughout INFONETICS customer base attest to quality and responsiveness of our support personnel.

No monthly or yearly maintenance contracts. Software enhancements FREE OF CHARGE – no

need to “re-purchase” software. Pay only Time & Materials for more substantial

support and/or outsourcing projects.

INFONETICS forTRAINING

On-site installation/training standard for every customer.

Annual INFOGROUP Users Group sessions – this year “on the road”

2-day seminars focus intense training on various modules.

INFONETICS forPEACE OF MIND

1729 Gateway CircleGrove City, OH 43123

614-875-2006infonetx.com

djf@infonetx.com