Internet Gateway Software

Version 5.0 of MidCore's MidPoint software offers broadband line teaming, virtual private network support, and distributed Webhosting capabilities. Updated firewall protects against trojan horse viruses.

by Wayne Kawamoto [January 13, 2001]

MidCore Software recently announced MidPoint 5.0, the latest version of the company's MidPoint Internet Gateway software.MidPoint connects all networked users via a single shared connection to the Internet.

According to the company, MidPoint 5.0 has been enhanced with an improved firewall and an ability to run with one or multiple types of communications connections including DSL, analog, cable, T1, E1, and others.

In addition to the MidPoint 5.0 basic subscription service, optional features will include Broadband Line Teaming, Virtual Private Network(VPN) support and SoftHost distributed Web hosting.

MidPoint says that the software's firewall will guard all network resources against unwanted access from the Internet, and give customers complete control over which internal applications can get out to the Internet and which applications, if any, can access the network from the Internet.

The Advanced Firewall is designed to offer protection against "Trojan horse" viruses; protected access from the Internet to internal servers; safe use of Windows File and Print Sharing on the PC where MidPoint is running; "attack" notification; and logging of unauthorized attempted access.

MidPoint's Broadband Line Teaming feature should allow broadband lines to seamlessly back up traditional T1 lines at a fraction of the usual cost. MidPoint will be designed to intelligently manage traffic from a T1 and other routers so that no changes are required to a user's existing T1 or router configurations. With MidPoint's approach, backup lines may not have to sit idle waiting for disaster to strike—rather the bandwidth that a company is already paying for may be available at all times for regular use. MidPoint's Virtual Public Network ("VPN") should offer secure connections over public networks so that remote branch offices, and users working from home or laptops can securely connect to a corporate server. The company says that MidPoint's VPN uses the highest level of encryption and secure tunneling technologies to create a virtual point-to-point connection between the user and the corporate network. Also, security for the VPN is two-tiered, and user authentication makes use of industry standard protocols to prevent unauthorized access to the corporate network.

MidPoint's SoftHost is designed to create and automatically maintain a mirror image of a company's most heavily-used Web sites on a local hard drive. In this way, SoftHost may be able to bring a Web site's content closer to the user which should result in almost instantaneous delivery of Web requests. Additionally, SoftHost is designed to automatically detect changes to a main Web site and update the mirror image.

"The opportunity MidPoint brings to ISPs and broadband resellers is tremendous," says David Wilson, president, MidCore Software. "They will be able to offer their customers a single, feature-rich product that enhances the Internet access that they currently sell. In an environment where monthly ISP charges and broadband costs are falling, the revenue generated by selling the value-added capabilities of MidPoint will increase their bottom line."

Availability and pricing
The core "MidPoint Business Subcription" version of 5.0 and the BroadbandLine Teaming advanced feature will be available for public beta testing in January, and general release is scheduled for February. Virtual Private Networking (VPN), SoftHost Distributed Web Hosting, and Advanced Email will be available in the 2nd quarter of 2001.

MidPoint will charge a monthly subscription fee that will range from $39/month for up to 5 users, to $199/month for 100-250 users.

Advanced features (Broadband Line Teaming, Virtual Private Networking, SoftHost, and Advanced Email) will be optional and sold individually. Pricing for a single advanced feature will range from $20 each for up to 5 users, to $50 each for 100-250 users.

—End

 

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