INTERCONNECTS

Force10 Networks today announced that its C-Series, S-Series and E-Series® Ethernet switch/routers running FTOS (Force10 operating system) software version 7.8, received Common Criteria certification to the Evaluation Assurance Level 2 (EAL-2). The certification validates that the FTOS design, software development methodology, and multi-layered security mechanisms meet or exceed the second evaluation assurance level for controlled access as defined by the international standard.

The Common Criteria for IT Security Evaluations, also known as ISO standard 15408, was developed by the national security organizations of the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and The Netherlands and is recognized by numerous other countries. It provides a broad range of evaluation criteria for many types of commercial and nationally sensitive government-use IT security products.

“Attaining the Common Criteria certification assures customers that the Force10 Ethernet switch/routers running FTOS provide tremendous security, performance and reliability,” said Steve Garrison, vice president of marketing, Force10. “The EAL-2 Certification validates that in an environment with adequate physical security, FTOS requires proper identification and authorization for access, protects important data and functions using certified encryption, incorporates proper functional audits and has built-in failure recovery modes.”

Common Criteria evaluations entail formal rigorous analysis and testing to examine security aspects of a product or system. Extensive testing activities involve a comprehensive and formally repeatable process, confirming that the security product functions as claimed by the manufacturer. Security weaknesses and potential vulnerabilities are specifically examined during wide-ranging evaluation and testing.

FTOS is the operating system software that runs on Force10 switch/router product lines, including the E-Series, C-Series and S-Series platforms. Based on NetBSD, FTOS leverages a distributed, multiprocessor architecture that delivers highly scalable protocols and reliability. By delivering the same OS across its entire switch/router line, Force10 ensures that customers benefit from stable code, a consistent configuration environment and simpler software management.

Force10 Networks FTOS certification details are posted on the Common Criteria Internet site at http://www.commoncriteriaportal.org/products_NS.html#NS.