Secure Remote Access Security is the single major issue for remote network element access. Many times remote access is provided by remote dial-up modems, leaving any level of security to the network element being connected to. While leaving access security to the network element is not the safest  method of security, several vendors have developed application software that resides on the field technicians portable PC. This software is designed to "talk" to the equipment directly through the PC's serial port, usually defaulted to Com Port 1. The advantage to the vender application software is, unless it is installed on the PC, you cannot access or provision the network element. the disadvantage is it requires that the technician be on site to provision or troubleshoot the equipment. Serial Re-direct to an IP connection Holly Street has developed software that resides on the technicians PC to allow specific users and applications to be utilized through a remote dial-up or IP connection, eliminating the need to be physically on site. Example, many SONET terminals are TL1 based and require knowledge of that language to configure, provision and maintain the equipment. Several vendors have developed application software that converts TL1 to "English".  The older versions of this software will only connect to the SONET equipment through a PC serial port (com ports 1-4), requiring the technician to be on site. Another example is radio equipment  used at cellular sites. As a critical central core to the operation of a remote site, the radio is a device that  one does not want  to have unauthorized access. Several vendors have designed their radios such that an application software package is required to provision and maintain the radio. This software requires that only com port 1 or com port 1-4 be used. This also requires that the technician be on site to perform these duties. HS Access Process Flowchart A HS - 071403b Drawing Title: Ref Dwg Number: This document contains proprietary information and shall not be duplicated or disclosed without the written permission of Holly Street Communications, Inc. By accepting this document the recipient agrees to make every effort to prevent unauthorized use of this information. Page of 1 1 Holly Street Remote Access Process Holly Street has developed a secure process to ensure that remote access to all network elements , legacy serial and the newer IP based elements, is provided in a simple and secure manner. Identifying and Approving the remote user Holly Street has developed software that resides on the technicians PC and communicates with the SA-8000 Serial Access Gateway family to validate specific approved users and allows specific applications to be utilized. The HS-325 SetSecurity application will configure the users PC to allow it to open the target application. Once the HS-325 has been installed and run on the PC, when the remote site is access, the remote site verifies that the PC has been registered and allows or does not allow access to the network element. Special Vender Application Software When the network element  to be accessed requires a vender specific application software package, the SA-8000 series allows the software to be activated remotely. The HS-375 will provide a ComPath function that points the serial port to an assigned IP address. All data targeted to the serial port is also pointed towards the remote IP port, allowing the application software to communicate to the remote network element as if one was physically in front of and connected to the device. Holly Street Communications, Inc. 5571 San Jose Drive Pleasanton, California 94566 www.hollystreetcomm.net