Osborne Clarke, a European law firm, has announced it deployed a five site Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) across the U.K. and Germany provided by Global Crossing, a provider of IP solutions.

 

For those who are not familiar with virtual private network (VPN), it is a type of computer network where some of the links between nodes are carried by open connections or virtual circuits instead of physical wires. VPNs can be used to separate the traffic of different user communities over a core network with strong security features.

 

There can be two modes of communication while creating private networks. One is via leased lines and the second via the broader public Internet. Communication via leased line is more secure but costly, whereas communication via Internet is inexpensive, but brings with it potential security problems. The IP VPN (IP-enabled virtual private networks) features advantages of both the above communications. It runs over a global IP network, which is secured, fully meshed, along with any-to-any connectivity between multiple locations - all for a lower cost of ownership than a private network.

 

Osborne Clarke said that the newly deployed IP VPN has been specially designed to enhance both data and site connectivity across the firm’s European operation. The deployment of IP VPN also provides greater bandwidth, thereby enabling better document management and the use of collaboration services to the company.

 

The adoption of IP VPN by Osborne indicates that the firm has moved from a distributed to a centralized network model that facilities in easy replication of data and as well leverages a more resilient network and data services, said the company.

 

Nathan Hayes, head of infrastructure and technology of Osborne Clarke, said, "In replacing an essentially hybrid system, we needed a single global provider able to offer a fully resilient, 'one connection, any service' platform, integrating voice, data and video."

 

"In response, the Global Crossing (News - Alert) solution now offers us a cost-effective and scalable solution, with the flexibility over time to add other next-generation applications over the IP network."

 

Global Crossing, which is offering fully fiber-optic IP network, said that its new network has reduced the cost of managing network equipment to the client firm and is also offering enhanced reliability and fault tolerance within the single central data center.