EarthLink Adds VPN Support

EarthLink Network Inc., a prominent player in various MSO open-access trials,
launched a fixed-Internet-protocol-address digital-subscriber-line service
targeted to remote workers and the small-office/home-office sector.

That product will essentially fit between EarthLink's consumer asynchronous
DSL service and its high-end, more symmetrical business-class offering.

The fixed-IP-address element will allow EarthLink subscribers to run Web
servers or connect to their companies' virtual private networks or corporate
networks, EarthLink said.

The Internet-service provider added that its home-networking gateway piece,
which allows for printer and file sharing, also gives customers
'industrial-grade' firewall protection.

EarthLink said its static-IP DSL portion goes for $15 per month on top of the
company's basic $49.95-per-month DSL-access service.