Hewlett-Packard Co has introduced the HP Praesidium SpeedCard, a specialized processor for handling secure socket layer authenticated connections more efficiently than general-purpose web servers. Installing a SpeedCard can upgrade a low-end server into a suitable system for online services such an internet banking, e-trading, e-commerce and web hosting.
SSL, used for establishing secure connections between browsers and web servers, is very processor intensive, meaning that users experience long delays or cannot reach the server at all. The SpeedCard can handle up to 12,000 SSL connections per minute without server degradation, according to HP. The card is powered by Rainbow Technologies Inc’s FastMAP cryptographic engine. HP agreed to OEM Rainbow’s technology at the end of last year.
SpeedCard works in conjunction with HP’s VirtualVault Web-server platform for internet banking applications, or with Netscape Communications Corp’s Enterprise Server, on HP 9000 Enterprise servers. N-Class support is due this fall. It costs from $3,300 to $5,900.
