Funk's Odyssey Helps Shorten Journey To Secure Wireless

The solution comes through policies and products that verify user identity and encrypt wireless signals. While that may seem like a simple answer, solution providers will find that much of today&'s wireless equipment lacks the end-to-end security features needed to properly protect critical data in a user-friendly fashion.

Enter Funk Software, a Cambridge, Mass.-based software developer specializing in making security easy for wireless users. Funk&'s recently released Odyssey line validates wireless users and encrypts their associated traffic. Unlike products specific to wireless hardware, Odyssey uses a VPN-like connection between the client system and the host network that also requires user authentication. That translates into the proverbial one-two punch needed to secure untethered users.

How does Odyssey accomplish this? The simple answer is that the product uses a client/server approach: remote users rely on a piece of client-access software and the host network runs an authentication-and-encryption server. That means Odyssey becomes a hardware-neutral solution. That in itself opens up a whole new world of security beyond the typical wireless user.

Solution providers can choose to deploy Odyssey for remote users (regardless if they are wired or wireless) or place the Odyssey client on PCs located in public areas. Odyssey, in some cases, can be used to replace VPN solutions, allowing a solution provider to standardize on a single product to provide end-to-end security.

Aside from a hardware-agnostic approach, Odyssey is about standards, most notably 802.1x, which is a port-based network control access solution. Simply put, 802.1x communications begin when an unauthenticated client device attempts to connect with an authenticator. The authenticator enables a port for the passing of Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) packets from the client to an authentication server. All other traffic is blocked until verification of the client&'s identity. Once authenticated, the port is opened for other types of traffic.

Installation of Funk&'s client/server solution is straightforward, Odyssey&'s server side component uses a quick-start wizard and can be installed on a Windows Server 2000, 2003 or Windows XP system. For maximum security, a RADIUS server is required for handling user authentication. If the host network lacks a RADIUS server, Funk sells a software version called Steel-Belted RADIUS.

On the client side, Odyssey offers support for most Windows operating systems, including Pocket PC and Windows 9x and later. The client can be pushed down to PCs via log-in scripts or associated policies, which automates the largest part of deployment.

Odyssey offers a likable interface that is easy to use and integrate. Administrators will find setting up access policies a breeze, and the included logs and reporting capabilities go a long way toward supporting auditing and reconciliation needs. Both the server and the client portions of the product offer very good performance, with Test Center engineers noticing little or no impact on network access speeds.

Besides solid security, Odyssey&'s real value is the product&'s ease of use and seamless integration into both networks and client PCs. That helps deliver a high ROI by eliminating many of the support and configuration chores associated with security and allows enterprises to use lower-cost access points and network security hardware. The product effectively provides layered security, which is customizable to a site&'s needs.

Odyssey Client 4.0 starts at $50 per client. Volume discounts are available. While few would call Odyssey inexpensive, the product proves cost-effective because it can eliminate the need for other security products from VPNs to authentication servers to security auditing tools. Those selling the Odyssey package will need to focus on the big picture to demonstrate the potential ROI that the product offers.

Funk is no stranger to the channel, with more than nine years of programs to back it. More recently, Funk has fine-tuned its channel program into two tiers, Authorized Partner and Inner Circle Partner. Solution providers will need to demonstrate security proficiency and WLAN experience to join. Solution providers can expect initial margins ranging from 15 percent to 25 percent and can garner additional profits by performing integration and support services. Funk offers weekly training Webinars and biannual in-person training. The company also offers telephone-based technical support for all Inner Circle Partners from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.