Dell PowerConnect W-Series
Virtual Intranet Access Agent (W-VIA)
Dell™ PowerConnect™ W-series Virtual Intranet Access (VIA) agent provides secure remote connectivity
for Windows® laptops. VIA is a key component of the Dell Virtual Branch Networking solution and comes
bundled with Dell Mobility Controllers. VIA automatically scans network connections and creates a
secure connection back to the corporate network whenever needed. Unlike traditional VPN software,
VIA provides a zero-touch experience for the end-user and can even configure the WLAN settings on
laptops. For enhanced security, VIA supports the cloud-based Dell Content Security Service (CSS),
providing comprehensive protection against Internet-born threats and attacks.
Integrated solution
The VIA agent is an integrated component
of the Dell PowerConnect W-Series mobility
platform. There are no additional licenses
required, and no per-seat costs. The VIA
agent can be downloaded directly from the
PowerConnect W-Series Mobility Controller,
or pushed out from an existing software
management platform. VIA connects to and
receives both software and configuration
updates directly from the Mobility Controller
with no additional hardware required.
Automatic IPsec connection
Road warriors are constantly connecting to different
networks. While on their corporate or branch office
network, they are automatically secured. However
these users are often connecting through hotels,
airports, coffee shops, and 3G cellular networks. All
of these connections need to be secured before
allowing access to internal corporate resources.
Legacy VPN solutions require the user to start
additional software and go through a complicated
log in process. VIA automatically detects the
network connection and determines if it is inside
the corporate network. If not, VIA then initiates an
IPsec connection back to the datacenter, effectively
making network access seamless to the user
wherever they may be.
IPsec with SSL fallback encapsulation
VIA makes use of the standard IPsec protocol suite
for securing communications between VIA-enabled
devices and an Dell PowerConnect W-Series Mobility
Controller in the data center. This allows for the
fastest connections possible wherever the client can
connect via native IPsec. In situations where firewalls
block direct IPsec connections, the VIA agent can
wrap IPsec packets in an SSL header to allow secure
connectivity through corporate firewalls.
Leveraging single sign on
While many organizations leverage Windows
credentials to authenticate to the wireless network,
these credentials can also be used to authenticate
VIA users. Leveraging these credentials, VIA will
automatically connect users in the background
without prompting them for their username and
password. When coupled with the automatic
connection capability, users will experience a
consistent connection and authentication experience
without changing any of their work habits. For
organizations that require additional authentication
methods, traditional user name and password or token
schemes are also supported.
User role support
The VIA agent terminates on the same Dell
PowerConnect W-Series Mobility Controller at the
corporate data center and leverages the same roles and
stateful firewall policies to provide consistent network
access to end users weather local or remote. VIA can
also be configured for different roles, allowing for
separate remote and local access roles on the same
end point to comply with corporate policies.
Extensive troubleshooting support
The VIA agent has both built in logging and diagnostic
tools to help troubleshoot user connections remotely.
These tools help diagnose network connectivity
issues without requiring the user to navigate complex
troubleshooting tools, speeding time to resolution and
simplifying the administrative and end user processes.
If required, client logs can be emailed to support teams
for more detailed troubleshooting. The diagnostic
tools include connection logs, system info, detected
WLAN networks, and detailed connectivity tests.
Windows Zero Configuration support
An optional aspect of the VIA agent is the ability to
configure WLAN settings using the Windows Zero
Configuration (WZC) supplicant. This allows network
administrators to dynamically push preferred settings
for WLANs to clients without having to touch client
machines or manage additional tools.
Integrated corporate, home office and
road access
VIA is included as part of the Dell PowerConnect
W-Series OS base operating system, powered by Aruba
Networks, and does not require separate licensing.
Available on the Dell PowerConnect W-600, W-3000
and W-6000 Mobility Controllers, no additional VPN
head-end servers or appliances are needed. Users have
the same experience using VIA as they do connecting
at headquarters or in the branch office, creating a
seamless end-user experience whether accessing
network resources locally or remotely.
VIA agent configurations and updates are handled
by the PowerConnect W-Series Mobility Controller
and pushed to clients in real time, automatically
updating VIA agents to match the PowerConnect
W-Series Mobility Controller’s current software. VIA
can be downloaded by the end user directly from
the PowerConnect W-Series Mobility Controller, or
pushed out as a Microsoft Standard Installer (MSI)
package through existing software management tools,
including the option of configuring Windows zeroconfiguration (WZC) settings.
Security protocols supported
• Encryption: AES256, AES192, AES128, 3DES, DES
• Hash: SHA, MD5
• Authentication: Pre-shared Key, RSA
Secure connectivity for the road warrior
• Diffie-Hellman Group: Group 1, Group 2
The VIA agent is designed to provide secure
connectivity over any network, securing the laptop
at remote sites such as public hotspots, hotels, or
over 3G cellular networks. Utilizing IPsec connections
help deliver a quality experience for handling latencysensitive applications like voice and video. In addition,
extensive logging and troubleshooting tools available
with the VIA agent simplify administration and speed
time to resolution.
Forwarding modes
Comprehensive security
VIA natively supports the ability to direct Internet-bound
traffic to the Dell Content Security Service (CSS) for
enhance mobile worker security. Leveraging cloudbased security centers around the world, CSS provides
comprehensive protection, including advanced URL
filtering, peer-to-peer control, anti-virus/anti-malware,
botnet detection, data loss prevention (DLP), and more.
VIA and CSS combine high-throughput and low-latency
performance to deliver cloud-based secure networking
for mobile employees, anywhere they work.
• Tunnel Mode
• Split-Tunnel Mode
Supported client operating systems
• Windows® 7
• Windows® Vista
• Windows® XP, service pack 2 or greater
• Provides for the optional configuration of Windows®
WLAN client configuration
Supported Dell PowerConnect W-Series
mobility controllers
• W-6000 with W-6000M3 controller module
• W-3000 series
• W-600 series
© 2011 Dell Networks, Inc. AirWave®, Dell Networks®, Dell Mobility Management System®, and other registered marks are trademarks of Dell Networks, Inc. Dell™, the Dell™ logo, and
PowerConnect™ are trademarks of Dell Inc. Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice. Originated in the USA. Any other trademarks appearing in this manual are the property of their respective companies.
Learn more at Dell.com/PowerConnect-W-Series
© 2011 Dell Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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