Extreme Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXTR), is expanding support of Microsoft Network Access Protection (NAP) and extending to customers the ability to deploy edge security simply and cost-effectively, with no hardware upgrades when using the award-winning BlackDiamond® and Summit® switching platforms that run ExtremeXOS(TM), the first modular network operating system for the enterprise market. Network Access Protection is a policy enforcement technology built into the Windows Vista and Windows Server (code-named “Longhorn”) operating systems that allows customers to better protect network assets from unhealthy computers by enforcing compliance with network health policies. Microsoft Network Access Protection technology is publicly available with trial versions of Windows Vista, and available to select partners and customers with Beta 2 of the future version of Windows Server “Longhorn.”
By working with Microsoft and supporting Network Access Protection trials in its Redmond campus during the last year, Extreme Networks® award-winning BlackDiamond® and Summit® switches with ExtremeXOS v11.6 deliver the critical features and proven integration that help ensure customers receive the widest range of implementation choices for policy-based edge security.
“Extreme Networks progressive approach to supporting Network Access Protection is a positive step in assisting customers with their adoption of policy-based security at the edge of the network,” said Calvin Choe, senior program manager for the Enterprise Networking Group at Microsoft Corp. “We are pleased with the integration of ExtremeXOS and Network Access Protection, and look forward to continued cooperation with Extreme Networks.”
“We have proven support for Network Access Protection and offer an innovative security implementation with our networking platform that helps customers plan their transition to emerging technologies such as Windows Vista and Windows Server 2007,” said Suresh Gopalakrishnan, vice president and general manager of the emerging products group for Extreme Networks. “These developments signify our commitment to offering customers the broadest and most effective ways to secure their networks and better support their communications.”
ExtremeXOS switches will allow for the deployment of Network Access Protection without hardware upgrades by using standards-based 802.1x authentication. ExtremeXOS 11.6 contains several Network Access Protection-related enhancements, including the ability for the switch to automatically quarantine endpoints while still allowing access to valid remediation servers based on information provided by the Network Access Protection policy server.
Extreme Networks will participate in a live partner interoperability demonstration at the Microsoft Partner Pavilion at the RSA conference, at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, Calif., February 5-9, 2007.
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