In brief: Lockdown annouces new network access control gear software

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• Lockdown Networks last week announced software for its network access control gear that pushes enforcement of security policies to unmanaged Layer 2 devices. The software for its Enforcer appliance can enlist low-end switches and hubs to divert computers that fail to meet network security profiles to LAN segments where they can download software needed to bring them into compliance. The Lockdown devices scan each machine as it tries to log on to the network for such things as properly patched operating systems and updated anti-virus software. With the new software, two Enforcer boxes can be tied together so that if one fails the other will take over to boost reliability. Pricing is $24,995 for a 1U Lockdown Enforcer appliance. The software is available now.
• NimSoft last week launched a tool for monitoring Cisco-based IP telephony networks with the capability to drill deep into protocols, processes and IP PBX hardware. NimSoft's NimBus for Cisco CallManager is a VoIP monitoring tool for Cisco-based IP telephony networks. The software, which runs on a separate network server, monitors activity of Cisco CallManager IP PBXs, IP phones, gateways and messaging servers on a LAN or WAN. The software provides reports on the performance of the call quality of VoIP traffic, as well as health and status checking of the IP nodes. Users can get detailed statistics from CallManager servers, such as those relating to call setup and processing, as well as memory and CPU utilization for the Windows-based IP PBX server. Alerts also can be sent to administrators if a CallManager's hardware becomes overtaxed or is in danger of failing. NimBus for Cisco CallManager is available now. Pricing is around $50 per IP phone, and varies based on the number of CallManagers and VoIP gear that is managed.
• NFR Security last week announced the ES5000 intrusion-prevention system, an appliance that can process up to 10Gbps in enterprise networks. The NFR ES5000, which costs $300,000 per sensor, is expected to ship in the first quarter of 2006.

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