Top Layer Releases New IPS Appliances

Top Layer Networks is rolling out four new appliances in its IPS 5500 E-series line. The new models, in what Top Layer calls the EC-series, range from small devices designed for branch offices to large systems for data centers and headquarters networks. The company says the new models include processors with reserve capacity to accommodate features and capabilities that will be rolled out in future releases. At the same time, organizations can use Top Layer's existing management software, alleviating the need to retrain administrators.

The four models in the EC-series are the 1000EC, 500EC, 150EC and 75EC. The 1000EC and 500EC models are designed for deployment in the data center and have the highest throughput of the series. Top Layer says the 1000EC supports up to 4.4Gbits/sec throughput and two million concurrent sessions. The 500EC is rated at 2.4Gbits/sec throughput and a million concurrent sessions. Both models have twelve ports per appliance.

The 150EC model is aimed at large remote and branch office sites. It's rated at 600Mbits/sec throughput, and also has twelve ports. The 150, 500 and 1000EC models can also be deployed in clusters of up to 8 appliances for high availability and performance on traffic-heavy networks. Clusters can be configured for active/active and active/standby modes. The 75EC is designed for remote and branch sites, and offers up to 300Mbits/sec throughput and six ports.

Charles Neely Harper is director of national supply and pipeline operations at Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP., a gas and energy solutions company. He has Top Layer appliances deployed at over 100 locations in North America. He says the company is actively blocking malicious traffic "to a very fine detail." He says the products have met his expectations around diagnostics, ease of installation and management features.

Top Layer claims the EC-series models have a mean-time between failure of over 30 years, which the company says helps protect customers' investments in the product. The company also touts the EC-series green features, saying the models consume on 90W of power. This can help lower data center costs around electricity and cooling requirements. The new models are available now.