Nevis Networks is upgrading software for its NAC hardware so it is less cumbersome for administrators to set up the gear and less tiresome for end users to sit through the access controls.

The software speeds up the scan that the equipment performs on devices before they gain network access so it takes less than 10 seconds, down from 30 to 40 seconds, the company says. This was done by optimizing the algorithms that analyze machine configurations.

The company has also made it possible to perform the scan with a dissolvable software agent that is automatically downloaded to the machine logging in. Before, the end user had to open a browser to get the agent to work.

In addition, the new software enables an authenticated machine to view the applications they seek as if it is logged in to a domain rather than viewing a Nevis portal of what applications are available.

The new software enables installing Nevis devices on span ports of switches rather than inline with switches. In this deployment, they can monitor traffic and reveal what individual machines are doing on the network. This can be done as a way to get a handle on traffic before putting the Nevis gear into blocking mode where it can shut down traffic flows that violate network security policies.

The company is also issuing configuration wizards that take some of the manual work involved in setting up the machines for the first time. The company says these help cut installation times from several hours to less than an hour.

The company is also issuing a new higher capacity box called the LANenforcer 2124 that costs $45,000 and supports 3,000 users.

There’s enough changes here for potential customers to check out whether they add up to influencing a buying decision.

Tim Greene is senior editor at Network World.