HP continues to expand the range of Internet software available to its e3000 development community. A middleware briefing at this year’s 3000 Solutions Symposium showed how new security options have been added to the platform’s toolbelt.

Alvina Nishimoto, the R&D manager for the Internet and Interoperability team in the HP e3000 division (CSY), told attendees they can order the BSAFE-C SSL software kit from RSA — a purchase that will come from Australia to comply with US export regulations.

HP was the first vendor to make use of the RSA software for the 3000. The forthcoming Secure Apache Web Server, shipping in May, makes use of the BSAFE-C kit.

“It gives you the full crypto-C library and PKI service,” Nishimoto said. “It’s actually an Australian product, and to get this product you call Australia to get around the [US] export restrictions. Since it’s created in Australia, that makes it an Australian product.” The Australian government gave HP permission to have the US version of the product ported to the HP 3000, but still classified as an Australian product.

RSA sells the BSAFE-C kit for the e3000, not HP, Nishimoto explained. The software can be used to do tasks such as secure file transfers over the Internet using FTP or secure log-ons, employing 128-bit encryption. “It’s a library that lets you get to the crypto and PKI capabilities,” Nishimoto said.

She also added that HP has worked out a discount on the software for the Independent Software Vendors registered in its Solution Provider Program. The special pricing ends in September. “The pricing on this can be fairly expensive for security products that [ISVs] may want to build around it,” Nishimoto said. “If you are a regular customer, it’s not as bad.”