Addendum to the ProCurve Access Control Security Design Guide

Updating the Access Control Design Process

Choose the Endpoint Integrity Solution

The ProCurve Access Control Solution supports two options for endpoint integrity (that is, controlling network access based on an endpoint’s compliance with security policies):

ProCurve NAC 800—a security appliance

Microsoft Network Access Protection (NAP)—a framework distrib- uted across several servers running Windows Server 2008

With both options, the device that performs endpoint integrity testing can also provide user authentication and authorization. In addition, remember that endpoint integrity tests are only the first step; ProCurve IDM helps you to create policies to control access based on the results of the tests. IDM supports either the NAC 800 or NAP, giving you to flexibility to choose the option that is best for your environment.

As you weigh your options, consider these factors:

Existing network environment

Vulnerability to risks and risk tolerance

Management resources

Interoperability requirements

Existing Network Environment

Consider the endpoints in your environment:

Do you have Mac endpoints?

Do you have legacy Windows endpoints?

NAP relies on the NAP Agent and other components that are supported only by endpoints that run Windows XP SP3 or Windows Vista. Therefore, NAP is suitable for organizations that have up-to-date and homogeneous Windows environments. The NAC 800, on the other hand, operates in mixed environ- ments, testing Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Macintosh endpoints.

In addition, NAP is distributed across several Windows Server 2008 services. For example, NAP may require not only a NAP Health Policy Server (NPS) but also a Health Registration Authority (HRA). Or, if you are using the DHCP deployment option, your company’s DHCP server must also run Windows Server 2008. If you do not want to upgrade your servers at this time, the NAC 800 could be a better solution.

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