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Celestix Is First to Announce Appliance Based on Microsoft Network Access Protection Platform

Posted on: Tuesday, 13 November 2007, 03:00 CST

Celestix Networks, Inc. announced today that it has developed the first purpose-built appliance for delivering Microsoft Network Access Protection (NAP) policy-enforcement platform. Network Access Protection helps to insulate private networks from computers with health and security profiles that are suspect. Employing client and server-side architecture, Microsoft built Network Access Protection into Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Celestix has scheduled the release of the new appliances shortly after Microsoft releases Windows Server 2008.

Celestix Access Protection (CAP) appliances add a layer of protection to private networks by monitoring the health and security status of users' computers then granting network access to users if their computers meet health/security criteria. CAP appliances let network administrators customize policies that validate the health of users' computers. Administrators can configure Internet Protocol security (IPsec) enforcement, IEEE 802.1X enforcement, virtual private network (VPN) enforcement, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) enforcement or all four.

To create the CAP appliance, Celestix integrated Microsoft Network Access Protection server architecture with the Celestix 4th generation Scorpio-X™ hardware platform and SlingSHOT™ appliance engine. Scorpio-X incorporates high-bandwidth, high-performance architecture and components to scale to the largest enterprise networks. The SlingSHOT™ appliance engine is widely known for stability and for providing leading ease-of-use features to Celestix appliances.

Network Access Protection is a policy enforcement technology built into the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 operating systems that allows customers to better protect network assets from unhealthy computers by enabling compliance with network health policies. Microsoft Network Access Protection technology is publicly available with trial versions of Windows Vista, and available to select industry partners and customers with Beta 2 of the future version of Windows Server 2008.

"To develop CAP appliances, we leveraged our experience delivering our RADIUS appliances that are based on Windows Server 2003. We've manufactured and sold RADIUS appliances for several years, which allowed us to reduce costs for customers and provide simple deployment," said Neil Matz, director of product marketing at Celestix.

"Solid delivery can greatly enhance the experience customers have with the Microsoft Network Access Protection platform. It's very exciting that Celestix has been the first of our industry partners to develop an appliance-based delivery system for Network Access Protection," said Manlio Vecchiet, group product manager, security and access product marketing at Microsoft Corp.

"CAP is a great bridge product between Celestix' network security products and their network optimization products," stated Dirck T. Schou Jr., President of Vesper Networks, a national solution provider. "CAP appliances will save network administrators from having to remedy problems caused by compromised and unhealthy clients connecting to their networks."

CAP appliances are available in several models to service enterprises of all sizes. List prices begin at USD $3495.

About Celestix

Celestix delivers thousands of security appliances to both mid-market organizations and enterprises annually. Founded in 1999, Celestix Networks features offices in Fremont, California, Singapore, Reading, UK and Chennai, India. In addition, Celestix has significant presences throughout the United States and Japan to supplement its channel business. To date, Celestix has enlisted over 450 channel partners worldwide to help serve its end customers. For information, call: (510) 668-0700 or visit Celestix website at www.celestix.com.

Source: Business Wire

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