News

Black Box Launches Network Access Control Appliances

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 12/18/09

Black Box, which sells communications and networking products, has released a new set of network access control (NAC) appliances.

Like other such products, Veri-NAC gives only authorized computers and devices access to a defined network, acting, as the company described it, as an "asset cop." It also checks to make sure each connected machine complies with specified standards, such as operating system, patch management, and hardened configurations.

If a device is found to contain vulnerabilities, the NAC can lock it out of the network and grant it access only to resources the user needs to bring the computer into compliance.

Black Box is positioning its new line, which doesn't require agent technology on network devices, as being easy to install and less expensive than competitive products. The lineup has five products. At the low end is the Veri-NAC 5200, which can cover up to 250 nodes, two subnets, and 10 virtual LANs; it's priced at $2,850. At the high end is the 5800, which can protect up to 20,000 nodes, eight subnets, and 80 virtual LANs. It's priced at $33,950.