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FIPS 140-2 IS EMERGING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND FINANCE SECURITY STANDARD;
AUGMENTS AUTHENTICATION AND SECURITY CAPABILITIES OF LX SERIES CONSOLE
SERVER FAMILY
Chatsworth, CA –
Sept. 13, 2005 – MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (Nasdaq: MRVC), a leading provider of
network equipment and services, today announced new
software for its
LX Series console servers that supports the Federal Information
Processing Standard (“FIPS”) 140-2 security standard, along with an upgraded Linux
kernel. Together, these additions improve network protection and add
compliance with key U.S. information technology (“IT”) regulations.
The
MRV LX Series products
are industry leading console servers that provide secure out-of-band
networking, giving network managers a remote means of managing, configuring
and upgrading servers and other networking equipment via their serial
ports. The
MRV LX Series also provides remote power management and integrated
infrastructure/security alarming through a single management interface.
FIPS 140-2 is a security
standard for IT systems that is mandatory in U.S. and Canadian government
applications, and is gaining popularity in security-sensitive enterprise
applications including banks, stock brokerages and other financial
institutions. FIPS 140-2 is the second of four security levels defined
within FIPS and includes both data encryption and a product design that
detects evidence of tampering.
With support of the FIPS
140-2 standard, LX Series devices meet a rigorous set of rules set by an
unbiased third party, and provide a much higher level of security, including
higher encryption levels, suppression of unsecure protocols, and provide an
audit trail of legitimate and illegitimate attempts to access network
equipment. This security is suitable for compliance with strict government
mandates such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”)
and Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 among others.
The
MRV LX Series includes the
compact
LX 1000S with up to four ports, the rack-mountable
LX 4000S, with up to
48 ports, and the NEBS-compliant
LX 8000S with up to 40 ports. The new features
are in the LX Series system software Version 3.6.0, which is available now. FIPS
certification by Atlan Laboratories, a U.S. government-certified testing agency,
is underway.
“Improving network
access – especially in a crisis – is critical for today’s network-centric
enterprises, which is why there is an increased push to implement secure
out-of-band networking capabilities,” said Mary Jane Gruninger, general
manager of MRV’s LX Series product line. “With this new software release,
the LX family is continuing its long-held position of being the most secure
console server available.”
“IT security remains one
of the biggest problems for the Federal Government and remote access with
authentication are key issues. NIST FIPS 140-2 drives these requirements,”
said Ed Lewis, Technical Director/Security Engagement Manager, Force 3, Inc.
“Supporting the FIPS standard is an acknowledgment of MRV’s commitment to
meeting the needs of their customers, and demonstrates MRV’s position as a
leading provider of secure out-of-band networking solutions.”
IPv6 Tops List of
Additional Features
Other new features in
Version 3.6.0 include support for IPv6 networks and expanded support for
SNMP v3, which provides for encryption. A new Ethernet redundancy capability
allows one port to act as a back up to the primary connection.
Version 3.6.0 is based
on the Linux 2.6 kernel, which enables improved security, application and
performance enhancements.
The LX Series Version 3.6.0
also has been upgraded to support the Event Horizon fault management capability
in the
MRV Megavision Pro
network management software, which provides enhanced
support backup and restore capabilities. Using
Megavision Event Horizon, a user
can manage alarms generated by either the LX Series Console Servers or by the MRV
IR-7104 Alarm Master alarm and control concentrator.
Pricing and
Availability
LX Series Version 3.6.0
is shipping today on all LX Series Console Servers. It also supports
the
MRV
5150 Power Control series and IR-7104 Alarm Master. It is a free upgrade
for existing LX Series customers via MRV’s website.
About the LX Series
Family of Console Servers
The LX Series of console
servers are all powered by 32-bit RISC processors, can scale from one to
hundreds of ports and feature the functionality and redundancy required to
support large, distributed enterprise networks. The devices feature
complete console management capabilities, allowing IT staff to remotely
manage and configure network devices and servers as well as perform software
upgrades. These capabilities are augmented by the ability to monitor
contact alarms and to remotely control power for back up servers or other
equipment. Advanced security features include FIPS 140-2, per port password
protection, RADIUS, Secure Shell v2.0, SecurID, TACACS+, PPP PAP/CHAP, PPP
dial-back, on-board database and others.
About MRV
Communications, Inc.
MRV Communications, Inc. (“MRV”) provides optical Ethernet access
equipment and services, and optical components. MRV designs, manufactures,
sells, distributes, integrates and supports communication equipment and
services, and optical components. MRV conducts its business along three
principal segments: the networking group, the optical components group and
development stage enterprise group. MRV’s networking group provides equipment
used by commercial customers, governments and telecommunications service
providers, and include switches, routers, physical layer products and console
management products as well as specialized networking products for aerospace,
defense and other applications including voice and cellular communication. MRV’s
optical components group designs, manufactures and sells optical communications
components, primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary LuminentOIC, Inc.
These components include fiber optic transceivers for metropolitan, access and
Fiber-to-the-Premises, or FTTP, applications. MRV markets and sells its products
worldwide, through a variety of channels, which include a dedicated direct sales
force, manufacturers' representatives, value-added-resellers, distributors and
systems integrators. MRV has operations in Europe that provide network system
design, integration and distribution services that include products manufactured
by third-party vendors, as well as MRV products. Such specialization enhances
access to customers and allows MRV to penetrate targeted vertical and regional
markets. For more information, please visit our websites at
www.mrv.com and
www.luminentoic.com.
Media Relations Contact
David Rodewald,
805/494-9508,
pr@mrv.com
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