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Platform Overview

The CloudShield Network Application Platform

In a world of closed, fixed-function networking equipment, CloudShield's platform is the exception: an open, scalable, general-purpose solution running the industry's broadest array of network applications. The high-performance CloudShield platform is a breakthrough on several fronts. It brings unprecedented flexibility, cost-effectiveness and efficiency to network operations, as well as a new level of traffic visibility, management and optimization. Its superior programmability supports rapid development and deployment of applications. Designed for service providers and national governments, CloudShield's platform is being used to manage and secure some of the world's most complex and demanding network environments. It has enabled leading organizations to simultaneously cut costs, improve quality and drive revenues through new services.

Complete hardware/software platform
CloudShield's complete top-to-bottom platform includes:

  • The CS-2000 System and IBM BladeCenter PN41 Blade: best-of-breed hardware solutions offering unsurpassed performance and scalability.
  • CloudShield PacketWorks Operating System (CPOS): secure real-time network operating system.
  • Packetworks Integrated Development Environment (IDE): open, rapid development environment for network and content processing applications.

Broadest application set
In contrast to conventional, closed network equipment, CloudShield's platform supports application development by third-party vendors, customers and system integrators. Dozens of organizations have written software for the platform, creating the industry's broadest set of deployed deep packet inspection (DPI) applications, including:

  • Commercial applications from CloudShield and leading independent software vendors.
  • Custom applications developed by customers and system integrators.

Industry-leading architecture:
CloudShield's architecture was designed from the ground up for superior performance, scalability and security:

  • Highest performance & scalability: CloudShield's IBM BladeCenter PN41 Blade scales from 20 Gbps for a single blade to 280 Gbps for a 14-blade chassis to greater than 1 Tbps per rack. CloudShield's CS-2000 System supports a range of connectivity options at full line rates, including multiple 1-Gbps links, SONET OC-12 & OC 48 links and 10-Gbps links.
  • Built-in security: CloudShield features a uniquely secure architecture that strictly separates data and control paths, eliminating a variety of vulnerabilities other platforms are prone to.

Transforming network economics
The CloudShield platform brings the advantages of open, general-purpose computing to network equipment for the first time:

  • Lowest-cost development of network applications.
  • Robust partner ecosystem, including many major system integrators and network equipment providers.
  • Wide range of third-party applications: freedom of choice with no customer lock-in.
  • Efficiencies of virtualization: CloudShield is unique in enabling users to consolidate many network applications on one platform.
  • Leverages IBM BladeCenter economics.

Proven in large, demanding installations
CloudShield is a leading supplier of DPI solutions to national governments and service providers.

  • The United States and five other governments employ CloudShield solutions to protect their critical network infrastructures. CloudShield's platform is being used not only to defend against external threats but also to implement and enforce sophisticated multi-level security regimes.
  • Three of the top North American service providers, two of the largest six European providers, and leading providers in South America and Asia all use Cloudshield's platform.

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