The Cisco Technology Developer Program
Security and VPN Solutions Testing Process Overview
This program is geared towards giving customers comprehensive solutions that they can deploy within Cisco Networks to support and enforce their organizational security policies and practices.
If Cisco approves your application into the program, you will be sent instructions on how to register your product with AppLabs for testing. After registering, you must then complete the Design Implementation Guide (DIG) template with the appropriate product configuration and deployment information. The DIG template, and the appropriate instructions will be provided to you by AppLabs once you register your product for the program.
NOTE: After you have registered with AppLabs and during the IVT process, you will have the ability to check the status of the interoperability verification testing from the AppLabs web site by using your assigned Product Submission Code and authentication password you have chosen.
AppLabs will answer questions to assist you as the DIG is created and work with you to get your DIG in an approved and final format. While the DIG is being created, participants will typically make arrangements to send their product to AppLabs for testing. Once you have an initial version of your DIG, you will send it to AppLabs for review.
General subject areas covered in the Design and Implementation Guide that will be verified by AppLabs include:
Secure Installation and Deployment
Discuss the acceptable practice for secure delivery, deployment and installation of the Partner's interoperable product(s).
Cisco Security and VPN Product Interoperability
Discuss the specific partner product (or products) and version numbers supported in the interoperability testing process. Additionally, highlight with which specific Cisco security and VPN products the partner product(s) interoperates (e.g. Cisco Secure PIX Firewall 515 with software v5.3.1).
Assets Protected
Define how the Partner's product can be deployed into a customer network comprising Cisco security products in order to provide protection of customer assets, and discuss which specific customer assets are protected by the product.
Self Protection
Define how the Partner's product can protect itself from malicious attacks and network problems. Discuss the security of Command and Control (C&C) channels, and appropriate Operations and Management (OAM).
Assurance
Describe the operational parameters that a customer would use to verify that the Partner's product is correctly enforcing the customer's security policy.
Reporting
Explain the reports and messages generated from the Partner's product, if appropriate. If the product generates logs or messages, describe their meaning. If the product generates logs or messages, but does not interpret them into reports, discuss methods of exporting them to a reporting tool that customers can use to summarize them.
Once your DIG is approved and complete, AppLabs will then schedule your product for testing in the lab. As an important note, AppLabs cannot schedule your product for testing in the lab until your product is received.
Once testing gets underway, AppLabs will write a Verification Test Plan (VTP) based on the information contained in the approved DIG. The VTP will be sent to you and Cisco to verify that it is is consistent with the claims contained in the DIG. Once approval is received from you, AppLabs will execute the test cases documented within the VTP.
Upon completion, a copy of the executed VTP will be sent to you and to Cisco. When approved by Cisco, a copy of your approved DIG and completed VTP will be posted as a link under your profile page and in the Technical Documentation page on the Partner Self Service Resource Center on the Cisco Technology Developer Program web site.
Developers who are interested in the Cisco Technology Developer Program should visit the Cisco Technology Developer Program website to learn more about the program, or to apply to become a member.
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