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[ChrisDeHerrera]

Funk Software Announces Shipping of Odyssey(R) Client 4.0 with WPA2(TM) Support


Industry-leading Supplicant Gives Enterprises Confidence in the Security of Wireless Networks

Funk Software, a leading provider of network access security solutions, today announced the shipping of Odyssey Client v4.0, an upgrade to its secure 802.1X access client that includes support for Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2). WPA2, the next generation of Wi-Fi security, offers the strongest available security in the form of AES-level encryption (Advanced Encryption Standard), plus faster roaming between access points. Odyssey Client v4.0 also adds support for the WLAN protocols EAP-FAST and EAP-SIM and Microsoft machine credentials.

"WPA2 is helping speed deployment of WLANs with the strongest security encryption the industry has seen, and Funk Software worked hard to ensure Odyssey Client would be the first supplicant to support WPA2 and fulfill this growing need," said Joe Ryan, vice president of Funk Software. "The Odyssey Client supports virtually any wireless computing device, continuing Funk's market leadership in secure network access, and easing the security pain of customers implementing wireless initiatives."

WPA2 is based on the encryption algorithm AES; its predecessor, Wi-Fi Protected Access(TM) (WPA(TM)), uses the encryption algorithm TKIP (Odyssey Client has supported WPA since July 2003). In addition to AES-based data security, WPA2 permits 802.1X authentication in either ad-hoc mode or in traditional infrastructure networks, and accelerates re-authentication using key caching and pre-authentication techniques.

A complete WLAN security solution based on WPA2 includes Odyssey Client v4.0, an 802.1X-compatible RADIUS server such as Funk Software's Odyssey Server or Steel-Belted Radius(R), and WPA2-compatible WLAN equipment. This complete system provides the following safeguards to enterprises deploying WLAN access:

Access control ensures that only authorized users can connect to the network, blocking access by users who are not listed in the enterprise security database. In addition, through strong mutual authentication of client and server, the system ensures that WLAN users can only connect to a legal network.

Complete credential (password or token) security is provided over the wireless link when a strong authentication method such as EAP-TTLS is used. This provides total security for enterprise user names and passwords or tokens, preventing credential theft, as they traverse the wireless link.

Data privacy is afforded by the WPA2 encryption protocol, so session data is protected against wireless eavesdropping and other attacks, preventing discovery of enterprise information as it traverses the wireless link.

To maintain the product's market-leading multi-vendor compatibility, Odyssey Client v4.0 also adds support for Cisco's EAP-FAST WLAN protocol.

Odyssey Client v4.0 also adds support for EAP-SIM, the WLAN protocol that allows GSM operators to authenticate customers accessing the network from an 802.1X-based hotspot against their existing Subscriber Information Management (SIM)-based infrastructure (The GSM operator must also be running Funk Software's Steel-Belted Radius/SS7 Gateway).

In addition to supporting WPA2, EAP-SIM, and EAP-FAST, Odyssey Client v4.0 can use Microsoft machine credentials to authenticate machines to the network when a user is not logged in. This streamlines administration because machines can be directly authenticated against their computer account in Active Directory.

Odyssey Client Overview
Odyssey Client is the 802.1X access client that is most suitable for deployment on enterprise networks. Its multi-platform, multi-protocol support ensures compatibility in any environment, whether on the secure enterprise WLAN or wired 802.1X network, or at a public WLAN hotspot. Advanced pre- configuration tools enable rapid, automated deployment across every wireless PC on the network, significantly reducing deployment costs associated with WLAN access. And, numerous user conveniences provide a simple user experience to ensure rapid adoption by the end user population, significantly reducing support and training costs associated with WLAN access. No other 802.1X client packs this triple punch.

Odyssey Client runs on Windows XP, 2000, 98, Me, and Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC, and supports EAP-TTLS, EAP-PEAP, EAP-TLS, EAP-FAST, EAP-SIM, and LEAP authentication methods, and Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), and dynamic WEP encryption protocols. A WPA2-compatible version of Odyssey Client was selected by the Wi-Fi Alliance for inclusion in their WPA2 certification test bed.

Pricing and Availability
Odyssey Client v4.0 is available now directly from Funk Software as well as through Funk Software's Inner Circle Partners, local system integrators and VARs, from Ingram Micro, Tech Data, TerraWave Solutions, and WAV, Inc., and online from the Funk Software web site. It is available outside the US/Canada through Funk Software's network of authorized international partners. Odyssey Client costs $50/machine; quantity discounts and private-label licensing are available. (Source: Press Release, PRNewswire)

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Chris De Herrera
Microsoft MVP - Mobile Devices & Tablet PC
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