New intrusion prevention appliance from IBM Internet Security Systems

IBM today unveiled an intrusion prevention appliance that is designed to transmit and protect network traffic at core network speeds. The new Proventia Network Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) GX6116 supports throughput of up to fifteen gigabits per second (Gbps) with pre-emptive protection for up to six Gbps of network traffic. The appliance is designed to operate at the network core and meet the needs of large enterprise or carrier deployments. By adding the Proventia Network IPS GX6116 to its Internet Security Systems (ISS) product line, IBM offers comprehensive, ahead-of-the-threat protection for the various layers of an enterprise network.

The new appliance further strengthens IBM’s roster of technology and services dedicated to helping clients address IT Governance and Risk Management. This initiative consists of new technologies and services designed to help clients mitigate risk and enable effective IT governance in response to the rising complexity of the security threat landscape and increasing regulatory compliance demands.

High-performance applications such as Internet telephony that operate at the network core require security solutions capable of delivering high throughput, maximum scalability and low latency. Proventia Network IPS GX6116 is designed to deliver on all three fronts with:

– Fifteen gigabit per second (Gbps) throughput
– Six gigabit per second (Gbps) inspection
– Protection across eight network segments
– Configurable latency

Proventia Network IPS GX6116 is designed to exceed the demanding requirements of the network core through a custom-built architecture featuring a network processing unit (NPU) tailored for high-speed processing of network packets. This architecture allows the Proventia Network IPS GX6116 to split the tasks of processing the flow of data from the task of inspecting that data, dramatically increasing the performance efficiency of pre-emptive network protection. Â