Implementing NAP and NAC Security Technologies: The Complete Guide to Network Access Control

8.1. Deployment Scenarios and Topologies

Fiberlink Mobile NAC can be utilized to perform NAC functions on mobile devices and stationary desktop systems. The manner in which these solutions are implemented is virtually identical.

One of the biggest advantages to Fiberlink NAC is the speed in which it can be deployed. The solution itself does not require that any servers or components reside physically on the LAN; they actually exist within Fiberlink's network operations center (NOC). This topology offers several key advantages:

• Companies do not need to purchase, configure, maintain, and monitor NAC equipment.

• Full solutions can be deployed very quickly.

• Scaling the existing solution and adding additional services doesn't require any effort by company IT staff.

8.1.1. Fiberlink Mobile NAC Components

The Mobile NAC solution possesses much of the same core functionality as other NAC/NAP solutions that are covered in this book. While Clean Access used an appliance and NAC Framework used network access devices (NADs), Mobile NAC has moved much of the functionality to software that resides on the endpoint. The following are the key components of the solution:

• Extend360 (e360) Agent

• Fiberlink Enterprise Management Center (EMC)

• Fiberlink Remediation Servers

As you will see in the next section, the Fiberlink solution natively includes all servers and components. There isn't a requirement to take advantage of existing equipment, or to add additional remediation or assessment servers.