Shiva transcends remote access technology

Intel is morphing the remains of its Shiva remote-access division into virtual private network technology, the chip giant said last week.

Intel is morphing the remains of its Shiva remote-access division into virtual private network (VPN) technology, the chip giant said last week.

The company will use Shiva resources and patents to develop its Netstructure 3000 VPN box, which already uses Shiva technology. The resulting products will scale from 100 to 10,000-user systems.

Intel acquired Shiva in 1999 to incorporate the company's remote-access servers into its own product range, but said this year it would stop making all Shiva products.

Alan Murphy, VPN product manager at Intel UK, said that existing Shiva customers would be supported for another two years, and rebates would be available for customers that wished to upgrade to the VPN products. "All new business will go through resellers," he said. Intel has not yet disclosed rebate details.

Intel had rejected overtures from rival Perle Systems to buy the company outright.

Barry Grigsby, product manager for dial-access equipment at Intel in the US, told Computer Reseller News: "We had numerous offers but decided it would be better to reinvest in Shiva and develop its VPN technology.

"Our decision to end the production of the Shiva dial-access range was based on declining market demand over the last few years. Many companies are moving towards outsourcing applications. This requires using the public infrastructure, and VPN is the most secure way to do this."

Nick Patching, sales manager at reseller Grantham Sutch Associates, said: "VPN is the natural progression from dial-in-and-out access and I am impressed with Intel's offering. I think it would be a good thing if it incorporates the Shiva technology into its Netstructure VPN."