Transport Layer Security (TLS) Compression Using Lempel-Ziv-Stac (LZS) Becomes Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Standard

Transport Layer Security (TLS) Compression Using Lempel-Ziv-Stac (LZS) Becomes Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Standard

LOS GATOS, Calif., Dec. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Network security and flow classification market leader Hifn(TM) (NASDAQ:HIFN), announced today a new compression standard for TLS using LZS(R), released by the IETF as RFC 3943. This culminates Hifn's initiative to write a TLS compression standard and work with leaders in the IETF organization in order to offer LZS compression at all layers of the ISO stack.

TLS is used extensively to secure client-server connections on the World Wide Web. Although these connections can often be characterized as short- lived and exchanging relatively small amounts of data, TLS is also being used in environments where connections can be long-lived and the amount of data exchanged can extend into thousands or millions of octets. For example, TLS is now increasingly being used as an alternative Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. Compression services have long been associated with IPsec and PPTP VPN connections, so extending compression services to TLS VPN connections preserves the user experience for any VPN connection.

Compression within TLS is one way to help reduce the bandwidth and latency requirements associated with exchanging large amounts of data while preserving the security services provided by TLS. Since TLS security defeats layer 2 and layer 3 compression, there is a need for layer 5 compression. Now end users can benefit from compression at layer 2 (PPP), layer 3 (IP), and layer 5 (TLS).

"The technical benefit of incorporating compression with TLS is the ability to compress all data in a TLS connection, whereas other protocols only compress certain types of browser content from the TLS server," said Robert Friend, Principal Technologist at Hifn, Inc. "Incorporating LZS compression into security devices enhances the end user experience along with protecting their data."

LZS compression plays a vital role for data communication equipment manufacturers. Most of Hifn's security processors contain high-speed compression engines that grants service providers the following benefits, which in turn, are passed on to the VPN user:

* Compressed packets consume less network equipment bandwidth

* Compression reduces fragmentation of packets due to additional security headers, since payload length is decreased

* Line rate performance is significantly enhanced

The addition of LZS compression to the TLS protocol reflects Hifn's commitment in the growing use of compression in all networking applications to improve data rates over standard protocols, including TLS, IPsec, PPP, Frame Relay, and IP storage networks, as well as non-standard compression applications, such as SONET and Fiber Channel networks. Hifn's industry standard LZS data compression algorithm is an essential ingredient for manufacturers of multi-protocol routers, remote access concentrators, web servers, server load balancers, firewall/VPN appliances and all other data communication devices. Hifn's LZS compression algorithm has been standardized by many organizations including the IETF (RFC 2395, RFC 1974, RFC 1967) Frame Relay Forum (FRF.9), ANSI (X3.241), and QIC (122).

Hifn products that offer the LZS compression feature also support this new TLS compression technology, including SSL & TLS algorithm accelerators & packet processors, compression-only hardware, and compression software libraries. Hifn is the only company that provides integrated LZS compression and security on a single, low-cost processor.

About Hifn

Hifn, of Los Gatos, California makes integrated circuits and software for network infrastructure developers. Hifn combines network processing, security, compression, content search and flow classification technology into solutions for complex packet management. Most of the major network equipment manufacturers use Hifn's patented technology to improve network packet processing.

Hifn was founded in 1996 and is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange under the HIFN symbol. For more information, contact: Hifn, 750 University Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95032. Phone: 408-399-3500. Fax: 408-399-3501. Web: http://www.hifn.com/ .

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT NOTICE

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the Company's future financial performance. These forward-looking statements related to revenue growth, expense reduction, product development, potential impact of design wins, prospects for economic recovery, gross margins and operating margins are subject to the risks set forth below and actual results could vary. The specific risks include: dependency on a small number of customers, customer demand and customer ordering patterns. Orders from Hifn's customers may be below the company's current expectations. Additional risks include: risks associated with the success of Hifn's ongoing technology development efforts; Hifn's ability to successfully integrate new technology into products in a cost-effective manner; Hifn's ability to effectively control expenses; the timing of Hifn's new product introductions; intense competition in the network and storage equipment industries; and the significant uncertainty of market acceptance of Hifn's new products. These and other risks are detailed from time to time in Hifn's SEC reports. Hifn undertakes no duty to update these disclosures.

NOTE: Hi/fn and LZS are registered trademarks of Hi/fn(R), Inc. Hifn, FlowThrough, and MeterFlow are trademarks of Hi/fn, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.


Source: Hifn

CONTACT: Brian Sparks of Hifn, Inc., +1-408-399-3520, or
bsparks@hifn.com

Web site: http://www.hifn.com/


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