Juniper's RA-500 Brings Robust SSL VPN Security To SMBs

With an MSRP of around $4,000 for 10 user licenses, the unit is very affordable. Juniper did not disclose exact solution provider margins, but the extensive integration and support opportunities offered by the company should more than compensate if margins are minimal. Normally, partners would undergo training and certification before selling a Juniper product, but the exception to that rule is the RA-500 appliance. No certification is required to become a partner or to resell the unit, but solution providers looking to upsell to a higher capacity system will need to go through the training and certification process.

The RA-500 is scalable from 10 to 50 users, and the number of users is designated by the last two digits of the model number. Juniper offers the RA-510, RA-525 and the RA-550.

Solution providers will find product installation a snap, since all setup tasks are wizard-driven and mostly automated. Ongoing maintenance and updates also are easy to use, not just for solution providers or administrators, but also for the end user. The product leverages SSL technology that is available in almost any web browser, and unlike traditional VPNs, there is no need for separate client software. The RA-500 series employs full logging capabilities and uses technologies such as cache clearing to ensure that no sensitive information remains on any system used to access a SSL session-based connection.

Integrating the RA-500 series into network-based security services such LDAP, PKI, Active Directory and RSA technologies can further enhance security. These capabilities also provide further integration opportunities for partners looking to leverage a complete security schema.

Juniper's channel program includes three partner levels--Authorized, Specialist and Elite. Juniper also offers a business partner level for indirect resellers that purchase products through distribution partners. Partner level is determined by annual volume sales, certifications earned and evaluation product purchases. Support is consistent across all partner levels, and includes pre- and post-sales training and support, a field channel marketing team and technical support. Sales training is provided over the Web at no cost, and dedicated channel account managers are available to assist solution providers. Technical support is offered either in person or via the Web, depending on a partner's expertise, and is available 24x7. A dedicated partner Web site offers white papers, price lists and other marketing collateral. Partners that initiate significant new opportunities are offered extra discounts are offered on hardware, while higher level partners that invest heavily in training can expect more discount on the support packages.

For solution providers interested in pursuing SSL-based security technologies for their SMB level clients, Juniper's combination of light initial authorization requirements and ease of deployment offer an excellent starting point. The RA-500 allows solution providers to bundle advanced integration and support services around the appliance for an affordable, easy-to-use security solution.

CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS
>NETSCREEN REMOTE ACCESS 500 SSL VPN

COMPANY: Juniper Networks
Sunnyvale, Calif.
(888) 586-4737
www.juniper.net
DISTRIBUTORS: (USA) Ingram Micro, Securematics
TECH RATING:

CHANNEL RATING:

Note: Vendors can earn up to five stars for technical merit and five for their channel program. If the average of these two scores is four stars or greater, the product earns CRN Test Center Recommended status.