BANGALORE, INDIA: The challenges of extending the LAN/WAN, and updating the security applications to meet the growing needs of businesses lies with the CEOs. A CEO also has to bear the brunt of meeting the allocated budget for IT infrastructure.

In an interaction with Ambika Prakash of CIOL Mohit Rampal, Country Manager, 3Com, India & Saarc, says how 3Com's MSR helps in scaling up a business by maximizing the return on investment.

CIOL: How different is the multi-service router from a conventional router?

Mohit Rampal: The MSR is one of the most advanced and flexible routers in the market.
3Com's Open Services Networking (OSN) module is the key differentiator. The option allows enterprise customers to integrate the open source network services into the network fabric. The Linux-based server module on the MSR is like a blank sheet of paper on which network managers can design and deploy network services according to their specific needs.

Examples of open source-based applications that can be put on the OSN module in the 3Com MSR include the Asterisk IP voice system, Expand Networks' WAN optimization, network behavior analysis from Q1 Labs, and email information leak protection from Vericept.

By creating a separate services layer, 3Com's OSN on the MSR allows these services to work across a multi-vendor network fabric. It also allows network managers a choice of network applications that suit their needs so they are not forced into proprietary services bundled with network hardware.

CIOL: How secure is 3Com's MSR?

MR: With the OSN module on the MSR, more security can be layered on by loading additional security applications to tackle today's growing security threats.

For example, customers can integrate Linux-based security solutions like Advent Net's firewall analyzer that tracks those accessing the network resources, as well as when and where the access took place. Other solutions include LineSider's policy-enabled provisioning and enforcement and the Vericept solution that prevents the leak of sensitive information over email.

CIOL: Please elaborate on how the MSR is an open architecture?

MR: The key to the MSR's open architecture is the OSN platform that allows third-party Linux-based network applications to be easily integrated into the network fabric. 3Com also has a partner developer program called the 3Com Open Network (3Com|ON) that has third-party application developers working on making sure their applications can work well on the OSN as well as 3Com's other network equipment. On top of that, the 3Com OSN API is open and customers can develop their own custom network applications if they want to.

CIOL: How easy is the product to deploy?

MR: The OSN module simply needs to be plugged into the MSR router. Network managers can then start integrating network applications and services. The 3Com MSR allows these services to be centrally managed, upgraded or changed at any time and this provides the ability to "try before you buy."

CIOL: Will the MSR be an additional burden for CIOs or CEOs in terms of investment and manpower?

MR: On the contrary, the 3Com MSR significantly reduces the burden on CIOs and CEOs by reducing the problem of network appliance sprawl as well as manpower and man-hours needed to manage each network service appliance individually.

More importantly, enterprises are assured of their investment in the long-term. Until now, network hardware and service bundles found in appliances and some switches and routers today would require enterprises to buy new network hardware in the future in order to deploy the new service. 3Com uses a different approach with the OSN on the MSR, which protects the investment by allowing future applications to be deployed on the network when they become available.

CIOL: Which are the verticals deploying the MSR?

MR: The MSR is customizable to any vertical industry environment. In particular, the MSR router series is suited to large enterprises with multiple branch offices. Regional network managers can deploy a higher capacity MSR version at the regional HQ and deploy lower capacity branch office versions across the region.

These can be pre-configured before shipment and subsequently managed centrally, and this reduces the need for technical expertise in each remote office. Thereafter, the service options within the MSR allow for rapid regional deployment of network services like WAN optimization, IP telephony, and security on the flexible OSN services layer.

CIOL: How suitable will the MSR be for SMBs?

MR: SMBs can deploy and tailor a single MSR as an all-in-one router switch with unified threat management, IP voice, and other low-cost Linux-based network services developed and tested by 3Com's large base of third-party application developers under 3Com|ON program.

CIOL: Can the MSR be also called as a Unified Communication solution? If yes, how and why?

MR: Yes, the MSR can be called as a Unified Communication solution. The key enabler for unified communications (UC) is an IP-based converged infrastructure. The most comprehensive, customizable and open UC platform on the market is what makes 3Com's MSR different.

This is because IP-based UC applications like multimedia messaging and collaboration, presence management, and Exchange or Notes integration solutions can be deployed on the MSR as options. The UC architecture of the MSR is only limited by the network manager's imagination and the availability of open source UC solutions.

CIOL: Name some of the companies that have deployed your product?

MR: The MSR is developed by H3C (a 3Com subsidiary) in China. The MSR was recently localized for launch in the Asia Pacific.