Cisco and Livingston Announce Joint Development of Remote Access Dial-up Security Technology

Strategic Insights -

Cisco Systems and Livingston Enterprises, two major players in the networking industry, have announced a partnership to jointly develop standard remote access dial-up security technology. This collaboration marks the beginning of a multifaceted relationship between the two companies, covering joint development, standards collaboration, and interoperability testing. The agreement follows an existing contract between Livingston and Cisco for original equipment manufacture, announced earlier this month.

As part of the agreement, Livingston will share its RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service) security protocol source code with Cisco to accelerate the implementation of a RADIUS security client in Cisco routers and Access Servers. RADIUS is currently used for access security by Internet service providers and companies with large numbers of dial-in users. The ultimate goal of the partnership is to develop a new security standard that will enable customers to evolve to a single network access security solution, using either TACACS+ or RADIUS.

Kevin Kennedy, product management director of Cisco's remote access products, emphasized the importance of security in the growth of the dial-up access market, stating, "Cisco and Livingston are both network security pioneers who recognize the importance of security to the growth of the dial-up access market." The joint development of a new security standard by Cisco and Livingston aims to provide customers with standards-based access security, further protecting their business information from intruders.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cisco Systems and Livingston Enterprises have announced a joint development agreement for standard remote access dial-up security technology and products.
  • The partnership will cover joint development, standards collaboration, and interoperability testing, with an existing contract between Livingston and Cisco for original equipment manufacture serving as a precedent.
  • Livingston will share its RADIUS security protocol source code with Cisco to accelerate the implementation of a RADIUS security client in Cisco routers and Access Servers.
  • The ultimate goal of the partnership is to develop a new security standard that will allow customers to use either TACACS+ or RADIUS.
  • Bruce Byrd, Livingston's marketing manager, stated that Livingston's PortMaster and FireWall IRX router technology is used by over 300 Internet service providers worldwide.
  • Cisco is the leading global supplier of enterprise networks, including routers, LAN and ATM switches, dial-up access servers, and network management software.
  • Livingston specializes in dial-up access and LAN-to-LAN interconnectivity products, with its mature PortMaster and FireWall IRX router technology used by over 300 Internet service providers worldwide.

Statistics:

  • The dial-up access market is expected to grow significantly with the development of new security standards.
  • Cisco Systems is the leading global supplier of enterprise networks.
  • Livingston's PortMaster and FireWall IRX router technology is used by over 300 Internet service providers worldwide.
  • The partnership between Cisco and Livingston aims to provide customers with standards-based access security.

Sources:

  • "Cisco and Livingston Announce Joint Development of Remote Access Dial-up Security Technology and Products" (Business Wire, March 20, 1995)
  • Cisco Systems Inc. is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. and is traded under the NASDAQ symbol CSCO.
  • Livingston Enterprises Inc. was founded in 1986 and specializes in dial-up access and LAN-to-LAN interconnectivity products.