Lotus Mobile Connect

IBM Lotus Mobile Connect software allows enterprises to provide a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to efficiently extend applications to mobile workers over many different wireless and wireline networks. The software supports a broad range of servers, clients and use cases. A security-rich connection can be established with client-less (i.e. through a Web browser) or client based access over a wired or wireless network connection. The software allows users to select the best network for their situation and to seamlessly roam between different networks.

Lotus Mobile Connect software is a distributed, scalable, multipurpose communications platform designed to optimize bandwidth, help reduce costs, and help ensure security. It creates a mobile VPN that encrypts data over vulnerable wireless LAN and wireless WAN connections. It integrates many standard IP and non-IP wireless bearer networks, server hardware, device operating systems, and mobile security protocols. Device support includes Microsoft Windows® Mobile 5, 6 , 6.1 and 6.5 clients, Microsoft Windows Vista® workstations and Windows 7 (32 bit and 64 bit) devices, Apple Macintosh desktops and OS X 10.6, Nokia E50, E51, E52, E60, E61, E62, E70, E71, E71x, E75 and E90 devices, and Red Hat 5.4 devices.

Lotus Mobile Connect software (the follow-on release to IBM WebSphere® Everyplace® Connection Manager) can be used with IBM WebSphere® Portal, IBM Sametime®, IBM Lotus Notes®, and IBM Lotus Forms to encrypt and extend business applications to mobile users. The Lotus Mobile Connect 6.1.4 software release is now available.

• Connects enterprise resources via a wide selection of Internet Protocol (IP) and non-IP network communication protocols and wireless and wired network connectivity options.

• Enables client-less access, so users can access HTTP-based applications (for example, IBM Lotus iNotes) via browser-based login and authentication.

• Helps protect sensitive information transmitted over either wired or wireless networks.

• Allows mobile users to maintain session persistence through seamless network roaming.

• Helps reduce mobile transmission costs and lower connection fees through data optimization functionality.

• Provides greater choice by supporting multiple client platforms and devices, including Linux, Symbian, a variety of Microsoft Windows clients and Apple Macintosh desktops.

• Helps boost productivity by synergizing with other powerful collaboration products such as IBM Sametime®, IBM Lotus Notes®, IBM Connections, and IBM WebSphere® Portal software. Tight integration with IBM Lotus Notes Traveler and IBM Sametime software provides single sign-on and a simplified user experience.

• Security features help protect data security in mobile applications. The software incorporates SSL connectivity, WTLS and Point-to-point Protocol (PPP) remote access standards from PPP clients. A symmetric encryption key is used to encode or decode data with varying key lengths - the strongest of which is the 256-key used in the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). Lotus Mobile Connect is certified for FIPS 140-2, 197, 186-2, and 1801-1 standards. The cryptographic libraries used by IBM have been tested and verified for U.S. and Canadian federal agencies.

• Client-less access allows access of HTTP- or HTTPS- based applications (for example, IBM Lotus iNotes, IBM Connections and IBM WebSphere Portal software) via browser-based login and authentication. Lotus Mobile Connect 6.1.3 software provides enhanced security with HTTP session termination with automatic destruction of session security tokens upon application logout. In addition, application single sign-on configuration improves the ease of using client-less access. Lotus Mobile Connect 6.1.4 software also provides client-less support for environments using Lotus Redirector. This simplifies Lotus Mobile Connect client-less integration with multiple Domino server environments.

• Dynamic Session Profiles allow recognition of the type of network over which you are connecting and automatic application of tuning parameters to help achieve optimal performance. This can simplify configuration and enhance the seamless roaming capability by automatically switching network-specific performance settings when roaming occurs.

• Tight integration with IBM Lotus Notes Traveler and IBM Sametime

• The ability to export/import client configuration files can facilitate deployment of client configuration changes over the air. Lotus Mobile Connect 6.1.4 software adds an additional client distribution option. Windows Connection Manager, Gatekeeper, and Mobility Client installs have been revamped to include support for client distribution via Microsoft Systems Management Server. This can simplify client administration for customers using the Microsoft server to distribute clients to the handheld devices of their mobile workforce.

• An administrator has the ability to set or change client parameter options and then distribute the new configuration to the client. The client can import the new configuration and accept the changes.

• Application Check/Autostart allows the Mobility Client to be configured to check whether certain programs are running, such as antivirus or personal firewall software, before allowing the connection to start.

• Installation with Quickstart Mobile VPN is improved with the use of the VPN Wizard. The VPN wizard can configure Lotus Mobile Connect with common parameters that can help you get up and running quicker.

• A new connection option may allow implementation without any firewall changes. The software can be configured to use commonly open firewall ports used for Internet browsing.

• Expanded support for wireless networks includes UMTS, HSDPA, Motorola Astro and WCDMA.

• Broad client support, including Nokia Symbian, Microsoft Windows™, Apple Macintosh and Red Hat based devices:
  - Nokia 9500, 9300, 9330i, E50, E51, E52, E60, E61, E62, E70, E71, E71x, E75 and E90 devices.
  - Windows™ Mobile devices (including 6.5); and Windows Vista workstations (in portrait and landscape modes), and Windows 7 (32 bit and 64 bit) devices.
  - Apple Macintosh OS X version 10.4 and 10.5 on Intel and Power PC (32 bit and 64 bit). and Macintosh OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) devices
  - Red Hat 5.4 based devices.

• Enhancements for Symbian devices. Lotus Mobile Connect 6.1.3 software includes ease of use enhancements in two areas. The Mobility Client for Symbian devices has been updated to provide an integrated configuration, login, and session logging on select Nokia E-Series devices. The software also extends support for an integrated mobility client (with single sign-on) with IBM Lotus Notes Traveler and the Sametime mobile client for supported devices. Lotus Mobile Connect 6.1.4 software enhances the Mobility Client for Nokia Symbian devices to provide HTTP and HTTPS connection-oriented protocols. This support allows the Symbian client to communicate on networks where User Datagram Protocol (UDP) traffic is not permitted, for example, in certain parts of the world, select corporate network policies or Internet access from hotel rooms.

• Broad server support. The software’s Connection Manager and Gatekeeper components support Red Hat Enterprise Linux™ V4 AS, V5 and 5.4, and ES for Intel™ processors; SuSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 9,10 and 11; IBM AIX® 6.1 software, and Windows 2008 and (with Lotus Mobile Connect 6.1.4), virtual environments such as VMWare Workstation 6.5.x (Windows and Linux) and VMWare ESXi 3.5.x and 4.0. Gatekeeper component now also supports Windows 7. See “System requirements” for a complete list of supported servers.