Network infrastructure often stays in service for years. In transport, utilities and service provider environments in particular, reliability and long product lifecycles matter, so replacing equipment that is still performing well isn’t always the best option.
RAD develops networking technology with exactly these kinds of environments in mind. Founded in 1981, RAD supplies networking solutions to communications service providers and critical infrastructure operators around the world, with more than 17 million products installed across 150 countries.
Through Sol Distribution, RAD provides access and transport networking solutions for service provider, utility and transport environments, where dependable performance and long-term availability are key considerations.
More capability in less space
One theme that has run through RAD’s development for more than 45 years is hardware miniaturisation.
RAD has even held a Guinness World Record for the smallest modem. Today, that experience can be seen in its Smart SFP portfolio, which brings networking functions that would traditionally require standalone hardware into compact, pluggable devices.
The aim is practical: give networks additional capabilities without necessarily adding another piece of equipment, taking up more rack space or increasing power requirements.
CypherPlug is one example of that approach.
What is CypherPlug?
CypherPlug is a miniature network security device designed to add IPsec encryption to compatible existing network infrastructure.
It’s housed in an SFP sleeve and can host a standard MSA-compatible 100 Mbps or 1 GbE SFP. The sleeve plugs into a compatible SFP port on equipment such as a switch or router and receives power directly from the host device, so it doesn’t require a separate external power supply.
At just 81.1mm deep and weighing 30g, it’s a good example of how much functionality RAD can fit into a very small piece of hardware.
More importantly, it gives organisations another option when an existing network needs encryption, but the underlying equipment is otherwise still fit for purpose.
Adding encryption to an existing network
CypherPlug protects the payload, or contents, of IP traffic while leaving the Layer 1, Layer 2 and Layer 3 headers unchanged. This means the information needed to move traffic across the network remains available while the data itself is encrypted.
It uses end-to-end static transport mode IPsec with AES-GCM-128 encryption. Processing is handled in hardware using an FPGA, with support for wire-speed encryption at up to 1 Gbps. RAD also states that the additional latency from the hardware-based encryption is only a few tens of microseconds, depending on packet length.
For partners working with existing infrastructure, the key benefit is simpler: CypherPlug can add encryption without automatically requiring a replacement of compatible switches, routers or other SFP-based network equipment.
Protecting traffic across shared infrastructure
CypherPlug can also be configured with different encryption keys for separate groups using the same physical network.
This can help organisations keep traffic between teams, departments or other groups separate without building completely independent network infrastructure for each one. Its control and data planes are separated, with encryption keys kept inaccessible to field technicians carrying out installation or maintenance.
RAD identifies applications across government, critical infrastructure and military environments, while its wider CypherPlug materials also reference healthcare, finance and utilities.
A small device for a much bigger network challenge
CypherPlug brings together two areas RAD has been working in for decades: supporting long-life operational networks and fitting more functionality into increasingly compact hardware.
For organisations with compatible existing infrastructure, that can provide a practical route to introducing IP traffic encryption without starting with a wider hardware replacement project.
Sol Distribution works with partners deploying RAD solutions across transport, utilities, service provider and other operational network environments. If you’re considering CypherPlug for an upcoming project, the Sol team can help with product selection, compatibility and availability.
Get in touch with Sol Distribution to discuss your requirements.
