Intermedia.NET’s VPN Configurator Wizard Helps Customers Address Port 135 Problem

Updated on Wednesday, November 12th, 2003 at 12:00 am

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Intermedia.NET’s VPN Configurator Wizard Helps Customers Address Port 135 Problem

Hosting Leader Simplifies Outsourced Microsoft Exchange VPN Connection

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (November 11, 2003) - - Intermedia.NET, a leading turnkey provider of Microsoft Exchange® and advanced hosting solutions for small to medium-sized businesses, today announced the release of its exclusive VPN (virtual private network) Configurator Wizard. The VPN Connection to Intermedia.NET hosted Microsoft Exchange server, with its VPN Configurator Wizard for easy setup, is free to new and existing customers.

Alexander Yevelev, Director of Sales and Marketing at Intermedia.NET said, “Port 135 is integral to Microsoft Exchange. Many Internet Service Providers have blocked this port for a variety of reasons, creating serious connectivity issues for customers. Some users of Intermedia.NET and non-Intermedia.NET hosted Microsoft Exchange shared their frustration with us regarding blocked ports. Establishing a VPN connection resolves the Port 135 problem, but the setup of it is very complicated for non-technical users. In response to this issue, we have developed a VPN Configurator Wizard, which is very easy to setup and use and does not require any technical expertise.”

He continued, “Unlike other hosting vendors that are charging for their VPN connection service - even without an easy-to-implement tool - Intermedia.NET is offering its VPN Connection service with its VPN Configurator Wizard to customers at no charge.”

Port 135 became an issue when The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection (IAIP) National Cyber Security Division (NCSD), in consultation with the Microsoft Corporation, issued a July 24, 2003 advisory to heighten awareness of potential Internet disruptions resulting from the possible spread of malicious software exploiting a vulnerability in popular Microsoft Windows operating systems. Their suggestion was that Internet Service Providers and network administrators consider filtering TCP and UDP ports 135, 139, and 445 for inbound connections unless absolutely needed for business or operational purposes. By blocking Port 135, many hosted Microsoft Exchange clients could no longer access the full functionality of this collaborative solution.

Setting up a VPN is a solution because it allows network connectivity with the additional advantage of encryption. Intermedia.NET’s VPN Configurator Wizard consists of three components: port ping, VPN configurator and Outlook profile helper. Port ping checks whether all necessary ports, needed to access the Exchange server, are open. If port 135 is blocked, VPN configurator is automatically accessed to configure the VPN connection on the customer’s computer. Outlook profile helper completes the setup by creating the Outlook profile and updating files based on the results of the port ping.

For more information, please visit www.intermedia.net/exchange.

More About Intermedia.NET

Founded in 1995 and serving more than 10,000 customers worldwide, award-winning Intermedia.NET is committed to be the best-in-class provider for Web, Application and Microsoft Exchange hosting services. With three locations in Mountain View, Calif., New York City, and St. Petersburg, Russia, financially stable Intermedia.NET offers its growing customer base maximum flexibility with its proprietary, industry-recognized Host Pilot® Control Panel and provides utmost system availability, reliability, and round-the-clock support. For more information, visit http://www.intermedia.net.