Enterasys Networks 9034385 manual Enterasys offers two types of NAC appliances

Summary

•Model 3: End‐System Authorization with Assessment ‐ Implements detection, authentication, assessment, and authorization to provide network access control based on the security posture of a connecting end‐system, as well as user and device identity and location. This model requires the use of either integrated assessment server functionality or the ability to connect to external assessment services, in order to perform the end‐system assessment.

•Model 4: End‐System Authorization with Assessment and Remediation ‐ Implements detection, authentication, assessment, authorization, and remediation, providing the additional ability to quarantine and remediate noncompliant devices.

The NAC appliance is a core component of the Enterasys NAC solution and is required for all NAC deployment models. It provides the ability to detect, authenticate, and authorize end devices attempting to connect to the network. It also integrates with or connects to assessment services to perform assessment of end‐systems connecting to the network. Once authentication and assessment are complete, the NAC appliance authorizes devices on the network by allocating the appropriate network resources to the end‐system based on authentication and/or assessment results. The NAC appliance also provides remediation functionality, allowing end users to safely remediate their quarantined end‐system without impacting IT operations.

Enterasys offers two types of NAC appliances:

•The NAC Gateway appliance implements out‐of‐band network access control and requires the implementation of intelligent wired or wireless edge infrastructure devices on the network.

•The NAC Controller appliance implements inline network access control and is applicable to scenarios where non‐intelligent wired or wireless edge infrastructure devices are deployed in the network. The NAC Controller is also required in IPSec and SSL VPN deployments.

The NAC appliances are configured, monitored, and managed through Enterasys NetSight management applications. NetSight NAC Manager and NetSight Console are required for all four NAC deployment models. NAC Manager provides configurations for the assessment, authentication, authorization, and remediation parameters for all NAC appliances, while NetSight Console is used to monitor the health and status of infrastructure devices in the network, including switches, routers, and Enterasys NAC appliances.

NetSight Policy Manager and NetSight Inventory Manager are optional NetSight applications. Policy Manager provides the ability to centrally define and configure the authorization levels or “policies” for certain out‐of‐band NAC deployments and all inline NAC deployments. Inventory Manager provides comprehensive network inventory and change management capabilities for your network infrastructure.

The next chapter provides a more detailed description of the four NAC deployment models including their requirements and implementation.

Enterasys NAC Design Guide 1-11