BlueCat Networks and
Mirage Networks today announced that the companies have formed an alliance to
deliver the strongest DHCP-based network access control (NAC) available.
Through this partnership, BlueCat Networks is adding support for Mirage
NAC to its lineup of network appliances. The combined solution will enable
customers to cost-effectively authenticate users and control their access to
network resources. To ease the delivery of an integrated solution, BlueCat
Networks has also joined the Mirage Networks partner program as its first
Premier Partner.

A recent Gartner report(a), states “To protect their networks, many
network managers are implementing network access control (NAC), based on
technologies such as 802.1x and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).”
This reflection of industry requirements and drivers has spurred the
development of this partnership.
“Our relationship with Mirage enables us to offer our clients a simple
path for deploying NAC and provide access to advanced pre- and post-admission
network hygiene capabilities for even greater security,” said Rob Farrell,
Vice President of Sales for BlueCat Networks. “For businesses not yet ready to
upgrade switches and other components for 802.1x, this integrated offering can
be easily placed into existing heterogeneous networks without disruption to
network operations.”
BlueCat selected Mirage NAC for its abilities to provide a future-proof
approach that provides security no matter the IP device or operating system.
Its award-winning design offers complete access control by:

— Addressing policy violations and threats — even day zero — at all
points on the network

— Enforcing DHCP-based authentication for dynamic IP addresses

— Providing safe quarantining and mitigation of offending devices

“There are no safe havens in the network: every endpoint, from the
network printer to the VoIP phone to the Windows desktop is vulnerable to
threats,” stated Michael D’Eath, vice president of corporate and business
development, Mirage Networks. “BlueCat is clearly a leader in the IPAM, DNS
and DHCP Space. With this partnership, BlueCat can securely authenticate and
attach any endpoint, managed or unmanaged, to the network, without the need
for expensive switch upgrades, cumbersome client software or reactive

signature updates.”