Security /

RapidStream gets to the (Check) Point

Appliance maker bets on Check Point's name recognition by adopting its software.

By Tim Greene
Network World, 01/21/02

SAN JOSE - RapidStream is betting customers will be more willing to buy its high-speed security gear if it runs big-name firewall-VPN software made by Check Point Software.

The company is revising its product line to support Check Point Next Generation VPN-1/Firewall-1 and pulling back on its own firewall and VPN software. Because Check Point certifies all of its hardware partners, the fast RapidStream box will interoperate with gear made by other Check Point partners such as Nokia, Sun and Compaq, says Jeff Phillips, an analyst with TeleChoice. Companies using Check Point-based gear that need more speed at some sites can get it by adding a faster RapidStream box.

This is good news for users who own Check Point supported gear but may need faster equipment at busy sites, Phillips says. "They're saying, 'We're the platform that can make Check Point run the fastest.'"

RapidStream says the move will give it a much-needed status boost.

"Our No. 1 problem is customers saying, 'Who are you and why do I trust you?' It's hard to get your name out there if you are a small company," says Vincent Liu, CEO of RapidStream.

Being able to say that Check Point - one of the most widely used firewall and VPN vendors - makes the software running on RapidStream eliminates that problem. Users would buy RapidStream appliances with VPN-1/Firewall-1 installed and pay Check Point a license fee to turn it on, Liu says.

"We looked at Check Point, Cisco and SonicWall when we were considering VPN equipment," says Thomas Wagenhauser, IT director for Harlan Bakeries in Avon, Ind. Check Point made the list because it had a reputation for reliability, he says, although the company wound up using ISA gear it had on hand.

RapidStream's new high-end appliance, RapidStream 11000, runs Check Point software faster than appliances made by other hardware vendors. RapidStream 11000 tops out with a VPN speed of 1.2G bit/sec and a firewall speed of 2G bit/sec. Nokia, the major appliance vendor that Check Point software supports, tops out with a firewall speed approaching 2G bit/sec but VPN support of only 150M bit/sec, according to Check Point.

RapidStream is the first vendor to take advantage of a new Check Point API called XL, which is designed to speed the performance of the software by supporting use of custom security processors. RapidStream's hardware uses custom processors called RapidCore that off-load VPN and firewall processing from the CPU of its equipment, boosting throughput.

Competitor NetScreen Technologies has a similar architecture and runs its own VPN and firewall software, Phillips says. Teaming with Check Point could give RapidStream a leg up on NetScreen, he says. Other vendors such as Cisco use general processors but also make add-on processor cards to speed VPN encryption.

RapidStream is loading Check Point software on its existing appliances and changing their names. So the RapidStream 2000 with VPN-1/Firewall-1 becomes RapidStream 2100; RapidStream 6000 becomes RapidStream 6100; and RapidStream 8000 becomes RapidStream 8100.

RapidStream 11000 will be available in March and will be demonstrated at ComNet 2002 later this month. It costs $95,000. RapidStream 2100 and 6100 are available now and cost $5,000 and $15,000, respectively. RapidStream 8100 will be available next month for $35,000.

Warp speed RapidStream's new 11000 suports Check Point's Next Generation firewall/VPN software.
•	VPN speed: 1.2G bit/sec
•	Firewall speed: 2G bit/sec
•	IPSec tunnels: 50,000
•	Sessions: 600,000
•	Price: $95,000
•	Available: March