The WLAN Enterprise Access Server 100 from Madge, a supplier of enterprise wireless local area networking (WLAN) management and security products, targets small businesses and branch offices of large enterprises with its security services for wireless infrastructures.
The EAS 100 provides centralized management for the wireless network and interfaces between the wireless and wired network. It provides a range of functions that usually require separate installation and management, such as RADIUS server, firewalls and certificate management.
An out-of-the-box deployment, the EAS 100 manages up to five access points for up to 100 total users. The device can be used to implement security policies, centralize compliance standards, and interoperate with SNMP-manageable access points including devices from Cisco, Proxim, Symbol, D-Link, 3Com, Intel and Avaya.
Security policies can be automatically applied to access points on the network, so that users must conform to the specified policies in a zero configuration model.
The device supports 802.1X and EAP-TLS standards and has mutual certificate authentication so that any non-authenticated wireless client will not be allowed to connect to the wired network.
With RADIUS and Certificate authority functionality embedded into the access server, the user can create certificates for clients and choose overall policy with a few mouse clicks. The RADIUS server, used to authenticate clients, is transparent and requires no configuration, while the CA lets users generate certificates for clients within seconds of starting the server for the first time.
Users can also set up MAC access control lists, specify the type of WEP encryption to use for clients, use firewall services to enable or deny access to specific IP ports and servers, and set up virtual private networking to allow IPSec clients to communicate using secure tunnels over the wireless connection
The EAS 100 has two modes of operation. In Gateway Mode, the device requires two network interfaces, one for connecting to the wired network, the other for connecting to the wireless network access points. In Controller Mode, the EAS 100 requires a single network interface for connecting to the LAN. This model provides greater scalability than Gateway Mode and is recommended for larger installations.
“Our value lies in management and the overlaying security architecture,” says Julian Pickess, product marketing manager with Madge Ltd., based in the “Silicon Corridor” of Maidenhead, Berks, England. “That’s where our strength comes to the fore.”
Most IT professionals would prefer to manage the security of wireless devices in a way very consistent with management of the wired network, to simplify their lives. “We recognize the convergence wave and that’s what enterprises want to hear,” Pickess says.
The EAS100 is priced at $899. The price with a built-in RADIUS server is $2,500.
For more information, go to: www.madge.com
