Fixed Wireless Equipment

Interlink's 802.1X Software

Promising authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA), Interlink's new software is based on a tried and true protocol that's common in wired networks but still rare in wireless.

by Eric Griffith Executive Editor of 80211-Planet [November 1, 2002]

Ann Arbor, MI-based Interlink Networks today announced a new 802.1X-based software tool for authentication on a wireless network. Called Secure.XS (and pronounced "Secure Access"), it is a Linux and Windows-based solution for AAA (authentication, authorization, and accounting).

"We're the first Linux solution on the marketplace," says Interlink CEO Mike Klien. "[Secure.XS is] an appliance ready solution for the OEM marketplace. Our target is the enterprise and providing solutions for VARs [value added resellers] and system integrators, but we also have something that can be built into an appliance."

The program will run on Red Hat Linux and Windows NT/2000.

Secure.XS supports a number of Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) methods such as EAP-MD5, TLS, and TTLS, Cisco's LEAP, and eventually PEAP. The software will work with existing databases of users so enterprises don't have to transfer data into a new database for deployment. The product is entirely standards based.

"We've talked to all the access point vendors, and over the last six months the ground swell of support has gone to 802.1X—most have shipped it or plan to ship it," says Klein.

Secure.XS is Interlink's latest in a line of security products, including RAD-Series of RADIUS products for carriers and high-end networks, and Diameter AP for 3G mobile secure servers. Secure.XS's architecture is derived from Interlink's RAD-E Enterprise Access Server.

Pricing on Secure.XS is set at $2,500 per 250 users..

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