Mergic Releases OS 5 VPN Client

Mergic has announced the release of Mergic VPN 1.1, a virtual private network (VPN) client with support for Palm OS 5 handhelds. The VPN client uses the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) to allow handheld users with Internet access to securely connect to a private network, such as their home or corporate LAN.

This application allows other applications, such as network HotSync® and e-mail clients, to connect to the computers they need to access. A version of the Mergic VPN client is built-in to the palmOne Tungsten C but this release marks the first VPN client to provide general support of Palm OS 5 devices and connection types. This includes support for the palmOne's Tungsten T series handhelds, Treo 600 smartphones, and Sony CLIÉ handhelds with their respective WiFi (802.11b), Bluetooth, IR, cable and built-in mobile phone connections. The basic requirement is that the OS 5 device must include some way to connect to the Internet.

"We are committed to continuing to provide an easy to use, fast VPN client that works on a variety of Palm OS devices. Mergic VPN 1.1 raises the bar with a simpler set-up, additional ease of use features and significantly broader handheld compatibility," said Rob Seaman, Mergic's President

Mergic VPN ScreenshotsMergic VPN 1.1 also supports Palm OS 3.1 to 4.1 devices with newly added support for the Samsung® SPH-i500 smartphone. Set-up of the Palm OS connectivity has been simplified for these pre-OS 5 devices by the addition of a New VPN Service dialog that automatically creates the VPN connectivity settings by using settings from an existing Internet network service.

Set-up for OS 5 devices is even simpler than for pre-OS 5 handhelds. No special connectivity setup is required. For most users the only configuration that's required is to enter their user name, password and the name or address of their VPN server.

Other than the extra options that are required to set up the connectivity on pre-OS 5 devices, the software looks and behaves the same on all Palm OS devices. There are several options for customizing the program along with support for various types of authentication and up to 128-bit encryption. VPN connections can be established manually by tapping a Sign In button or automatically by using an Auto Connect feature that allows user-selected applications to automatically connect to the VPN server as needed without requiring the user to launch the VPN client.

Mergic VPN 1.1 runs on handhelds with Palm OS 3.1 or greater and at least 320 KB (220 KB after installation) of available storage. A VPN server with PPTP support is required.

Mergic VPN 1.1 is available online for $29.99 from Handango and PalmGear. A free 15-day evaluation version of the software can be downloaded from Mergic.com. Volume pricing is also available.

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PPTP only?! oh MAN!

sempai @ 11/2/2003 10:05:18 PM #
I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth, but nobody seriously uses PPTP for VPN's do they?

Why can't they do L2TP over IPSec?

I was really hopeful I'd have something I can use, but my office doesn't use PPTP. And rightly so!



slacker!

RE: PPTP only?! oh MAN!
helf @ 11/2/2003 11:23:07 PM #
/me feels a nice breeze as this dudes comments rocket over his head.


;)



RE: PPTP only?! oh MAN!
Bartman007 @ 11/3/2003 1:08:09 AM #
I regularly configure VPN proggies for clients so they can access work from home and I can safely say that while I know how to do it, I have never had to configure PPTP. Every client/company I have dealt with uses IPSec.


Peace,
-Bartman007

RE: PPTP only?! oh MAN!
lemketron @ 11/3/2003 11:33:23 AM #
For IPSec, talk to Certicom (though it seems to currently only be available for the PalmOne Tungsten C):
http://www.certicom.com/products/movian/movianvpn.html


RE: PPTP only?! oh MAN!
The Ugly Truth @ 11/3/2003 2:22:22 PM #
For IPSec, talk to Certicom (though it seems to currently only be available for the PalmOne Tungsten C):

Really? I thought I had this for a Palm back in 2000. I'm sure they had announced it (and I thought I had tried it), but maybe it was just vaporware.

Sometimes the truth just isn't pretty™

RE: PPTP only?! oh MAN!
TDS Computer @ 11/3/2003 7:28:11 PM #
PPTP is very simple to set up, and works great with NT 4.0 servers as well as 2000 Servers. For small companies who just need a few connections, it really works quite well. I would guess that there are thousands of small to mid sized companies who use PPTP. It can also work with other protocols in addition to TCP/IP (It encapsulates the other protocols around a TCP/IP wrapper) - That comes in handy in some instances.

Visit us at www.tdscomputer.com
RE: PPTP only?! oh MAN!
lemketron @ 11/3/2003 8:35:24 PM #
OK, slight clarification: Certicom had IPSec on 68K (before OS 5), but for OS 5.x it seems to only be available for the Tungsten C. So, if you have a Tungsten C, IPSec is available. Otherwise (for OS 5.x) it's PPTP for the time being...

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