In brief: Mirage updates network gear

Mirage Networks last week updated its network access-control appliance, adding the ability to scan LAN- and wireless LAN-attached devices running unauthorized network applications or protocols. The Mirage NAC device attaches to a LAN switch and inspects PCs and laptops by working with endpoint-security software vendors. The device then reroutes traffic from clients that contain dangerous software or settings, or client traffic that is suspicious or violates access policies. Mirage NAC Version 3.0 builds into the device some endpoint-inspection tasks done by partner software products, the vendor says. It can detect commonly banned traffic types running on clients, such as peer-to-peer networking, or the presence of FTP or Web servers. The appliance can block access to a network or quarantine suspicious traffic.

Symantec has announced Policy Manager, Windows Server-based software that acts as a central repository for storing written policies ranging from acceptable use to baseline configurations for computers and networked devices. Policy Manager, expected to ship next month at a starting price of $65,000, can accept the output of log reports related to compliance policy so that IT auditors requesting the information have centralized access to it.

Fortinet and Trend Micro have settled a patent dispute in which Fortinet was accused of violating Trend's anti-virus patents. The settlement terms were not disclosed, but it draws to a close a dispute in which Trend claimed - and the International Trade Commission backed up - that Fortinet was using Trend's intellectual property. In a statement issued by both companies last week, Fortinet said settling the dispute would let the company focus on business. Fortinet's multifunction security platforms include firewall, VPN and anti-virus software. Trend said the settlement protects the company's intellectual property.