ConSentry's new NAC access switch

Network Access Control This newsletter is sponsored by Hitachi The First True Enterprise-Class Blade Server Go inside Hitachi's BladeSymphony 1000, which combines virtualization technology, integrated management capabilities, and reliable, scalable system resources to consolidate infrastructure, optimize workloads and run mission-critical apps. Click here to download this exclusive whitepaper. Network World's Network Access Control Newsletter, 05/08/07 ConSentry's new NAC access switch By Tim Greene ConSentry is announcing a new NAC access switch for smaller sites that checks the security posture of devices before they get on networks and enforces policies based on those scans. The CS-4024 switch has 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports available with or without Power over Ethernet and is intended to support NAC in branch offices. The device is available this fall and costs $6,000. This can make it economically feasible to put ConSentry switches in smaller offices, which isn't the case with its current 48-port switch. The Security Standard - The Only Executive Summit Focused on the Business, Management and Strategic Aspects of Security September 10-11, 2007 | The Fairmont Hotel Chicago How do your security initiatives support company business goals? The answer to this question can make all the difference in gaining the corporate-wide support and resources you need to drive your security strategies. Uncover best practices and organizational strategies for achieving success by attending The Security Standard Conference. Click here for more details. Click here for more details The company is also announcing what it calls Universal Endpoint Interoperability, which enables its software to communicate with software platforms made by other vendors that secure and update computers in corporate networks. So, for example, ConSentry gear can interrogate Symantec’s Control Compliance Suite to find out when its virus software was updated and what patches are on the machine. This data is then compared to configuration policies within the ConSentry gear to determine whether the device gets network access. ConSentry is announcing that it can do this with or without permanent ConSentry software agents on the endpoints and for endpoints running Microsoft, Linux or McIntosh operating systems. Universal Endpoint Interoperability works within the Microsoft network access protection (NAP) framework (the Microsoft version of NAC); the NAC architecture of Trusted Computing Group as well as individual vendors Symantec, McAfee, Trend Micro; and regional vendors Criston (France) and NOSide (Japan). ConSentry can do some of this today, but the entire range will be available this fall at the same time the CS-4024 is available.   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

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Contact the author: Tim Greene is a senior editor at Network World, covering network access control, virtual private networking gear, remote access, WAN acceleration and aspects of VoIP technology. You can reach him at tgreene@nww.com. This newsletter is sponsored by Hitachi The First True Enterprise-Class Blade Server Go inside Hitachi's BladeSymphony 1000, which combines virtualization technology, integrated management capabilities, and reliable, scalable system resources to consolidate infrastructure, optimize workloads and run mission-critical apps. Click here to download this exclusive whitepaper. ARCHIVE Archive of the Network Access Control Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007