Besides the security gateway, IBM also released the WebSphere DataPower Integration Appliance X150 and the WebSphere DataPower Accelerator XA35. Beyond re-branding, neither of the two products contained any major changes from the original DataPower hardware, Ronald Schmelzer, analyst for ZapThink LLC, said. Instead, IBM has focused its efforts since acquiring DataPower on SOA security.

“People are experiencing more pain handling security,” Schmelzer said.

Such a heavy demand within a network places a strain on servers, which also handle other chores. So it makes sense to have a dedicated appliance for security, Schmelzer said.

With the addition of DataPower, IBM is hoping to change customers’ perception of the WebSphere brand, which is associated with software.

Read more at: TechWeb / CMPIBM focuses on security in launch of SOA applia