Enterasys Networks 9034385 - Manual (Page 21)

Summary
Enterasys NAC Design Guide 1-11
• Model 3: End‐System Authorization with Assessment ‐ Implements detection, authentication,
assessment, and authorization to provide network access control based on the security posture
of a connecting end‐system, as well as user and device identity and location. This model
requires the use of either integrated assessment server functionality or the ability to connect to
external assessment services, in order to perform the end‐system assessment.
• Model 4: End‐System Authorization with Assessment and Remediation ‐ Implements
detection, authentication, assessment, authorization, and remediation, providing the additional
ability to quarantine and remediate noncompliant devices.
The NAC appliance is a core component of the Enterasys NAC solution and is required for all
NAC deployment models. It provides the ability to detect, authenticate, and authorize end devices
attempting to connect to the network. It also integrates with or connects to assessment services to
perform assessment of end‐systems connecting to the network. Once authentication and
assessment are complete, the NAC appliance authorizes devices on the network by allocating the
appropriate network resources to the end‐system based on authentication and/or assessment
results. The NAC appliance also provides remediation functionality, allowing end users to safely
remediate their quarantined end‐system without impacting IT operations.
Enterasys offers two types of NAC appliances:
• The NAC Gateway appliance implements out‐of‐band network access control and requires
the implementation of intelligent wired or wireless edge infrastructure devices on the
network.
• The NAC Controller appliance implements inline network access control and is applicable to
scenarios where non‐intelligent wired or wireless edge infrastructure devices are deployed in
the network. The NAC Controller is also required in IPSec and SSL VPN deployments.
The NAC appliances are configured, monitored, and managed through Enterasys NetSight
management applications. NetSight NAC Manager and NetSight Console are required for all four
NAC deployment models. NAC Manager provides configurations for the assessment,
authentication, authorization, and remediation parameters for all NAC appliances, while NetSight
Console is used to monitor the health and status of infrastructure devices in the network,
including switches, routers, and Enterasys NAC appliances.
NetSight Policy Manager and NetSight Inventory Manager are optional NetSight applications.
Policy Manager provides the ability to centrally define and configure the authorization levels or
“policies” for certain out‐of‐band NAC deployments and all inline NAC deployments. Inventory
Manager provides comprehensive network inventory and change management capabilities for
your network infrastructure.
The next chapter provides a more detailed description of the four NAC deployment models
including their requirements and implementation.