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F5 Releases BIG-IP Edge
Client for Android’s 4.x OS
January 13, 2012
 BIG-IP
Edge Client is the industry’s first SSL VPN solution that provides
comprehensive security and mobile access for all devices running Android
4.x (codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich). F5’s free, downloadable client
enhances mobile user productivity by providing accelerated client access
to corporate resources via a full SSL VPN connection.
In parallel, F5 has also developed a version of its BIG-IP Edge Client
for “rooted” devices, which can be used by IT professionals to extend
client support for devices running previous versions of the Android OS,
or for testing and demonstration purposes. Additionally, F5 is
introducing enhanced support for its BIG-IP Edge Portal, which provides
managed application access to enterprise web applications such as
SharePoint, wikis, and Intranet sites.
“As a recognized leader in the SSL VPN market, customers continually
look to us for solutions to address their evolving IT needs,” said Mark
Vondemkamp, Director of Product Management at F5. “User requests to
support the latest smartphones and tablets are a great example. Our Edge
Client and Edge Portal applications give users secure, convenient, and
fast access to company resources from the corporate and personal devices
of their choice. With leading support for Android, Linux, and Apple iOS
endpoints, F5 solutions provide flexible, optimized access to empower
mobile users without sacrificing IT’s ability to manage applications and
infrastructures.”
With F5’s new remote access solutions and mobile applications,
organizations can:
- Securely Extend IT Support
Capabilities and Maintain Infrastructure Safeguards
Without direct control of the individual devices they’re being asked to
support, IT organizations often deny such access requests rather than
risk exposure of sensitive data or materials. With F5’s new mobile
applications, IT personnel can provide secure access for Android-based
devices without jeopardizing their ability to protect and manage their
systems.
- Tailor IT Policies to Meet
Specific Compliance Requirements and Business Needs
With F5 solutions, IT teams can implement customizable access policies
to provide managed mobile connectivity for contractors, partners, or
specific groups of employees. Organizations can also grant full network
access or limited web access to specific applications, depending on
business priorities and personnel requirements.
- Improve User Experience and
Accelerate Client Access with BIG-IP Edge Gateway
When implemented together, the BIG-IP Edge Gateway
solution and the BIG-IP Edge Client provide accelerated application
performance for Android devices, enabling users to access applications
up to 10 times faster. In addition, BIG-IP Edge Client keeps smartphone
and tablet users connected as they change locations, moving from LAN to
a wireless network or mobile hotspot, for example.
Additional SSL VPN
Solution Enhancements from F5
In conjunction with new
Android-focused solutions, F5 is introducing technologies to better
support organizations’ users and SSL VPN infrastructures, including:
- The industry’s first remote
access solutions that are truly IPv6 capable –
F5’s SSL VPN offerings allow organizations to simultaneously support
mixed IPv4 and IPv6 environments, helping IT teams scale and
transition their infrastructures while ensuring business continuity.
- Virtual editions for
maximized efficiency – Customers can now deploy BIG-IP Edge Gateway
and WebAccelerator without adding new
hardware, enabling organizations to better support virtual and cloud
environments.
- VIPRION chassis, meaninbility
– BIG-IP Access Policy Manager is now available on F5’s
award-winning VIPRION chassis, meaning customers can support up to
100,000 concurrent users at a fraction of the cost of competitors’
offerings.
 “As
mobile computing proliferates, organizations are facing challenges such
as managing mobile access to critical applications,” said Dan Schiappa,
SVP, Identity and Data Protection at RSA, The Security Division of EMC.
“RSA and F5 have worked together to integrate and certify solutions such
as RSA SecurID technology and F5’s BIG-IP Access Policy Manager.
Organizations that want to provide secure, unified access to business
critical applications, company-issued and employees’ personal devices,
and corporate networks can now do so with a proven solution. The
combined offerings provide valuable features such as single sign-on,
support for hardware and software authenticators, and an integrated
ecosystem—all of which are engineered to ensure compatibility out-of-the
box. These features are increasingly viewed by our customers as key
components of a successful strategy for enterprise mobility.”
“Accuvant is focused on helping clients navigate the ever-evolving
security landscape, which is fueled in part through the growing use of
mobile devices,” said Toby Penn, Accuvant Solutions Director. “F5’s
secure access solutions provide companies with performance and business
advantages. BIG-IP Access Policy Manager and Edge Gateway integrate
seamlessly, helping organizations scale IT systems while enhancing their
overall approach to enterprise mobility. As a long-term F5 partner,
we’re looking forward to offering the company’s new solutions to our
clients.”
F5’s BIG-IP Edge Client, BIG-IP Edge Client for rooted devices, and
BIG-IP Edge Portal can be downloaded from the Google Android Market. All
other F5 solutions mentioned in this announcement are available today
with BIG-IP version 11.1 software |
