NAC software eases access rights assignments

Avenda Systems is announcing support for MAC OS X devices in its NAC gear that makes it possible to run MAC health checks as part of a Microsoft network access protection (NAP) deployment.

The new tool called MacHealth checks end systems for health data that can be passed on to NAP policy servers or to Avenda's own policy checking device called eTIPS. While NAP is supported in Microsoft Vista and some versions of XP client operating systems, Microsoft offers no NAP support for MAC OS.

Avenda is also announcing a guest access tool called GuestConnect that enables designated non-technical employees to grant network access to visitors, partners and contractors without having to contact IT staff for help. The software tracks who admits which guests.

GuestConnect can set limits on the ability to grant access. So it can limit how long a time period a sponsor is allowed to grant access, restrict how long a guest may remain attached to the network or grant sponsor privileges for just one site.

The company is introducing Quick1X, a wizard that simplifies configuring 802.1x authentication. Using eTIPS, customers can configure 802.1x endpoint parameters centrally and push them to all endpoints. Administrators don’t need to configure each machine in turn if they use the tool.

Avenda has tuned up its user interface with a customizable dashboard and graphs that can drill down to individual log entries to assist in troubleshooting problems. New service-creation templates come preloaded with configurations needed for interoperating with certain vendors’ gear, such as Aruba or Meru wireless access points.