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Case Study: PacketiX VPN

Stable and secure offshore data communication

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)

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Problem: Data communication failure on selected ports

JETRO depends on a groupware application for its shared file system and the internal communication among the 40 offices in Japan and the 73 branches in 55 countries abroad. But, in certain offshore areas, data communication was interrupted or failed for unknown reasons. According to Mr. Tamura of JETRO's information system section,

"The groupware we use was designed to choose port #1352 for data transfers. Connections through the port in some branch offices were occasionally interrupted."

Despite the fact that other ports like #80 (http) or #443 (ssl) remained functioning stably, port #1352 failed. After a trial and error search, he found that the reason for the communication interruption might most likely be traced to problems within the network infrastructure and not to the employed groupware. Without a concrete solution to cope with the issue, the sporadic communication interruption lasted on.

Mr. Murata then considered ways to secure stable communication, making use of stable and reliable port instead of #1352.

"We knew that communications on other ports like #80 and #443 were stable, so we decided to use PacketiX to create a tunnel for port #1352."

Tunneling a port through another port

"The firewall software installed in JETRO's computer system also had VPN functionality, but the groupware port was closed during the encryption procedure and communications were thereby interrupted. We came to believe that PacketiX was the answer."

PacketiX VPN offers a unique tunneling function to put one port through other port. Thanks to this functionality, Mr. Murata successfully put port #1352 through port #443.

Easy installation procedures without the need for a network administrator

To create a VPN using PacketiX VPN it is necessary to install the PacketiX Server software on the VPN servers, and the PacketiX Client software on VPN clients. However, Mr. Murata did not have any trouble during the installation process. Besides, it was completed without even visiting the branch offices.

"I simply instructed our branch office employees to double-click on the install button and input an IP to complete the job. Later, I gave them the one page manual. That was all I had to do."

Compared to conventional VPN software, PacketiX VPN is far easier to introduce, even though it offers higher quality and performance. As for the installation on the client side, the only thing you have to do is to activate the installer, input two IP addresses and the authentication user ID.

With PacketiX VPN, you enjoy a time-saving installation procedure and save traveling expenses of network administrators as well, especially when you have offices in a variety of places like we do.

Success

After the very easy and smooth installation process, the VPN was put into operation. When asked about the result of the introduction of PacketiX VPN, Mr. Murata responded

"Our goal was phenomenally achieved.
The interruption or disconnection of data communication on port #1352, to which we had no counter measure before introducing PacketiX VPN, ceased to occur by putting the port through the "tunnel" in port #443. Thus, stable and reliable connections with branch offices were realized.
We are enjoying some other benefits of PacketiX in relation to our international operations. For instance, where we have language barriers and are unable to communicate with the local users, even a simple instruction like "Open this folder" can be difficult. PacketiX VPN provide us with solutions such as PC remote control and thereby enables us to achieve what we need. In addition to its stability and quality of performance, PackeitiX can be used for variety of applications due to its flexibility and easiness to introduce.

Mr. Murata rates PacketiX VPN high and says "The software has been well designed and developed. Furthermore, the GUI is very helpful for administration purposes."

"JETRO has a staff of approximately 3,000, 1,000 at home and 2,000 abroad, and we use a somewhat under 1,000 units of computers at home, all of which, we plan to connect to our Intranet by introducing PacketiX VPN. This, I believe, will be helpful to provide variety of services."

Mr. Murata has various business opportunities in his scope with PacketiX VPN. Didn't he have any apprehension for introducing PackeitiX, on the other hand?

"Yes, there were objections, primarily based on risks when connecting with LAN computers abroad which are not sure to be virus-free. However, we came to the conclusion that the risks would be minimal, since PacketiX is designed to control ports by itself and allow connections only over port #1352."

"We are aware of the danger of connecting with LAN computers abroad, which might be infected with Winny for instance. But this is a question of which came first, the chicken or the egg. We learned that such computers were also administrated once connected with the LAN, either at terminal side or by means of remote control.
After realizing stable communications at the troubled area, we plan to expand the employment are of PacketiX and introduce it at our North American and European offices."

In addition to government bodies and related organizations, like JETRO, many private corporations are now planning to introduce PacketiX in their systems. PacketiX provides solutions for diverse applications such as authorizing restricted access to Web sites, or user authentication using Residents' Registration Network Card, apart from stabilizing and maintaining communications with remote areas and intensifying and simplifying network administration systems like in the above JETRO example. The broad range of functionality of PacketiX and its quality of performance makes it possible to provide flexible solutions to required applications, unlike with any other existing VPN software.

JETRO's experience is a good proof of the quality of performance, flexibility and reliability of PacketiX.