NeoAccel is coming out with a software version of its NAC-Plus and VPN-Plus that can run on virtual machines.

Customers that want to try out the platforms can download the software and hardened operating system and a VMware player - everything they need to try out the platforms except the hardware.

The company says any laptop, desktop or server hardware will do, making this an economical way to test out NAC or VPN technology.

The upside of installing the software on virtual machines include all the usual upsides: less hardware, less power, less cooling and more efficient use of processing capacity.

It also represents a relatively inexpensive way to try out the technology before making a decision to use it broadly. They can download an image, install it and run it through its paces on spare hardware they have lying around.

If customers decide to deploy the platforms, the virtual environment allows rapid expansion of capacity by enlisting more virtual machines. This can come in handy during emergencies when the number of unmanaged machines accessing the network rises. NeoAccel says it will offer spike licenses to accommodate short-term jumps in users.

The virtual deployments also allow upgrading the software as new versions come out and testing it while the old version remains in place. With a physical appliance, the software upgrade might be pushed into service because there is no separate platform to test it on.

NeoAccel says virtual deployment of its products would also play well in service provider networks as a way to efficiently deploy dedicated platforms for multiple customers.

Tim Greene is senior editor at Network World.