Cisco® Network Admission Control (NAC) solutions allow network administrators to authenticate, authorize, evaluate, and remediate wired, wireless, and remote users and their machines prior to allowing users onto the network. It identifies whether networked devices such as laptops, desktops, and other corporate assets are compliant with an organization's security policies, and it repairs vulnerabilities before permitting access to the network.
Product Overview
Cisco NAC is an easy-to-deploy, end-to-end network registration and enforcement solution. This advanced network security product:
• Recognizes users, their devices, and their roles in the network. This first step occurs at the point of authentication, before malicious code can cause damage.
• Evaluates whether machines are compliant with security policies. Security policies can vary by user type, device type, or operating system.
• Enforces security policies by blocking, isolating, and repairing noncompliant machines. The machines are redirected into a quarantine area, where remediation occurs at the discretion of the administrator.
Cisco NAC can apply posture assessment and remediation services to all devices, regardless of:
• Device type. Cisco NAC can enforce security policies on all networked devices, including Windows, Mac, or Linux machines; laptops; desktops; personal digital assistants (PDAs); and corporate assets such as printers and IP phones.
• Device ownership. Cisco NAC can apply security policies to systems owned by the corporation, employees, contractors, and guests.
• Device access method. Cisco NAC applies network admission control to devices connecting through the LAN, WLAN, WAN, or VPN.
Cisco NAC is unique in its ability to enforce policies for all operating scenarios without requiring separate products or additional modules.
Features and Benefits
Cisco NAC solutions can benefit organizations in numerous ways:
• NAC addresses compliance requirements by enforcing security policies.
• Unauthorized network access is prevented to protect valuable information assets.
• NAC helps proactively mitigate network threats, such as viruses, worms, spyware, and other malicious applications.
• Vulnerabilities on user machines are minimized through periodic evaluation and remediation.
• Significant cost savings can be achieved by automating the process of identifying, tracking, repairing and updating endpoint machines.
Authentication Integration with Single Sign-On
Cisco NAC serves as an authentication proxy for most forms of authentication, natively integrating with Kerberos, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), RADIUS, Active Directory, S/Ident, and others. To minimize the inconvenience to end users, Cisco NAC supports single sign-on for VPN clients, wireless clients, and Windows Active Directory domains. Administrators can maintain multiple user profiles with different permission levels through the use of role-based access control.
Vulnerability Assessment
Cisco NAC supports scanning of all Windows, Mac OS, and Linux-based operating systems and machines, as well as non-PC networked devices such as game consoles, PDAs, printers, and IP phones. It conducts network-based scans or can use custom-built scans as required. Cisco NAC can check for any application as identified by registry key settings, services running, or system files.
Device Quarantine
Cisco NAC can place noncompliant machines into quarantine, which prevents the spread of infection while enabling the machines to maintain access to remediation resources. Quarantine can be accomplished by using subnets as small as /30, or by using a quarantine VLAN.
Automatic Security Policy Updates
Automatic security policy updates that are part of Cisco's standard software maintenance package provide predefined policies for the most common network access criteria, including policies that check for critical operating system updates, common antivirus software virus definition updates, and common antispyware definition updates. This eases the management cost for network administrators, who can rely on Cisco NAC to constantly maintain updated policies.
Centralized Management
The Cisco NAC web-based management console allows administrators to define the types of scans required for each role, as well as the related remediation packages necessary for recovery. One management console can manage multiple servers.
Remediation and Repair
Quarantining gives devices access to remediation servers that can provide operating system patches and updates, virus definition files, or endpoint security solutions such as Cisco Security Agent. Administrators can enable automated remediation through the optional agent, or specify a series of remediation instructions. In addition, Cisco NAC delivers user-friendly features, such as the monitoring mode and silent remediation, to minimize user impact.
Flexible Deployment Modes
Cisco NAC offers the broadest array of deployment modes to fit into any customer network. Customers can deploy the product as a virtual or real IP gateway, at the edge or centrally, with Layer 2 or Layer 3 client access, and in-band or out-of-band with network traffic.
Deployment Modes
Cisco NAC can be deployed in several ways to best accommodate a customer's network. Table 1 illustrates the options for deployment:
Table 1. Cisco NAC Deployment Options
Deployment Model
Options
Passing traffic mode
• Virtual gateway (bridged mode)
• Real IP gateway/NAT gateway (routed mode)
Physical deployment model
• Edge
• Central
Client access mode
• Layer 2 (client is adjacent to the Cisco NAC Server)
• Layer 3 (client is multiple hops from the Cisco NAC Server)
Traffic flow model
• In-band (Cisco NAC Server is always in line with user traffic)
• Out-of-band (Cisco NAC Server is in line only during authentication, posture assessment, and remediation)
Product Architecture
Cisco NAC has several core components, with additional optional components for enhanced capabilities.
• Cisco NAC Server: This device initiates assessment and enforces access privileges based on endpoint compliance. Users are blocked at the port layer and restricted from accessing the trusted network until they successfully pass inspection. The Cisco NAC Server is available in seven sizes based on the number of online, concurrent users: 100, 250, 500, 1500, 2500, 3500, and 5000 users. A single company can have several servers of differing sizes; for example, a headquarters building would require a 1500-user Cisco NAC Server, while a branch office for the same company might only require a 100-user server.
• Cisco NAC Manager: A centralized, web-based console for establishing roles, checks, rules, and policies. The Cisco NAC Manager is available in three sizes: the Cisco NAC Lite Manager manages up to three Cisco NAC Servers; the Cisco NAC Standard Manager manages up to 20 Cisco NAC Servers; and the Cisco NAC Super Manager manages up to 40 Cisco NAC Servers or 80 Cisco NAC Network Modules.
• Cisco NAC Agent: A thin, read-only agent that enhances posture assessment functions and streamlines remediation. Cisco NAC Agents are optional and are distributed free of charge.
Additional NAC Services
In addition to the core Cisco NAC Manager and Server functions of user authentication, device compliance assessment, and role-based access control, several advanced Cisco NAC services yield even greater operational benefits and policy control.
• Cisco NAC Profiler: The optional Cisco NAC Profiler provides non-PC device profiling by keeping a real-time, contextual inventory of all devices in a network, including non-authenticating devices such as IP phones, printers, and scanners. It significantly reduces the Cisco NAC deployment and management tasks associated with endpoint device discovery and tracking. For the Cisco NAC Profiler data sheet, see http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/vpndevc/ps5707/ps8418/ps6128/product_data_sheet0900aecd806b7d4e.html.
• Cisco NAC Guest Server: The optional Cisco NAC Guest Server simplifies the provisioning, notification, management, and reporting of guest users on wired and wireless networks, offloading from IT staff much of the challenges commonly associated with supporting corporate visitors. The Secure Guest service enhances IT's ability to protect its own organization's assets, employees, and information while providing secure and flexible network access to meet visitors' business needs. For the Cisco NAC Guest Server data sheet, see http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/vpndevc/ps5707/ps8418/ps6128/product_data_sheet0900aecd806e98c9.html.
Figure 1 is a logical diagram of Cisco NAC in an in-band deployment mode. This configuration works with any 802.11 wireless access point, including Cisco Aironet® access points. The in-band mode is also the preferred deployment mode for VPN traffic.
Figure 1. Cisco NAC Architecture in In-Band Mode
Figure 2 is a logical diagram of Cisco NAC in out-of-band deployment mode. In this mode, the Cisco NAC Server is in-band only during the process of authentication, posture assessment, and remediation. Once a user's device has successfully logged on, its traffic traverses the switch port directly.
Figure 2. Cisco NAC Architecture in Out-of-Band Mode
In addition to the traffic flow modes, customers also have a variety of other deployment options to best fit NAC into their network. Table 2 lists additional deployment options.
• Layer 2 (client is adjacent to the Cisco NAC Server)
• Layer 3 (client is multiple hops from the Cisco NAC Server)
Traffic flow model
• In-band (Cisco NAC Server is always in line with user traffic)
• Out-of-band (Cisco NAC Server is in line only during authentication, posture assessment, and remediation)
While the Cisco NAC in in-band mode supports any network infrastructure, the out-of-band mode communicates with switches using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). Please visit http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/security/nac/appliance/support_guide/switch_spt.html for the most recent list of supported switches. This list is updated frequently.
Product Specifications
There are three new hardware options that form the bases of the NAC Server and NAC Manager. Table 3 lists the specifications for the hardware appliance versions of Cisco NAC.
Table 3. Cisco NAC Hardware Specifications
Cisco NAC Appliance 3315
Cisco NAC Appliance 3355
Cisco NAC Appliance 3395
Product
• Cisco NAC Server for 100, 250, and 500 users
• Cisco NAC Lite Manager
• Cisco NAC Server for 1500, 2500, 3500, and 5000 users
• Cisco NAC Standard Manager
Cisco NAC Super Manager
Processor
Quad-core Intel Xeon (Core 2 Quad)
Quad-core Intel Xeon (Nehalem)
2 x Quad-core Intel Xeon (Nehalem)
Memory
4 GB
6 GB
8 GB
Hard disk
250-GB SATA drive
2 x 300-GB SAS RAID drives
4 x 300-GB SFF SAS RAID drives
Removable media
CD/DVD-ROM drive
CD/DVD-ROM drive
CD/DVD-ROM drive
Network Connectivity
Ethernet network interface cards (NICs)
• 2 x Integrated NICs
• 2 x Gigabit NICs (PCI-X)
• 2 x Integrated NICs
• 2 x Gigabit NICs (PCI-X)
• 2 x Integrated NICs
• 2 x Gigabit NICs (PCI-X)
10BASE-T cable support
Category (Cat) 3, 4, or 5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) up to 328 ft (100 m)
Cat 3, 4, or 5 UTP up to 328 ft (100 m)
Cat 3, 4, or 5 UTP up to 328 ft (100 m)
10/100/1000BASE-TX cable support
Cat 5 UTP up to 328 ft (100 m)
Cat 5 UTP up to 328 ft (100 m)
Cat 5 UTP up to 328 ft (100 m)
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) accelerator card
None
Cavium CN1120-NHB-E
Cavium CN1120-NHB-E
Interfaces
Serial ports
1
1
1
USB 2.0 ports
4 (two front, two rear)
4 (one front, one internal, two rear)
4 (one front, one internal, two rear)
Keyboard ports
1
1
1
Video ports
1
1
1
Mouse ports
1
1
1
External SCSI ports
None
None
None
System Unit
Form factor
Rack-mount 1 RU
Rack-mount 1 RU
Rack-mount 1 RU
Weight
35 lb (15.87 kg) fully configured
35 lb (15.87 kg) fully configured
35 lb (15.87 kg) fully configured
Dimensions
1.70 x 16.78 x 27.75 in. (4.32 x 42.62 x 70.49 cm)
1.70 x 16.78 x 27.75 in. (4.32 x 42.62 x 70.49 cm)
1.70 x 16.78 x 27.75 in. (4.32 x 42.62 x 70.49 cm)
Power supply
350W
Dual 675W (redundant)
Dual 675W (redundant)
Cooling fans
6; non-hot plug, nonredundant
9; redundant
9; redundant
BTU rating
2661 BTU/Hr (at 120V)
2661 BTU/Hr (at 120V)
2661 BTU/Hr (at 120V)
Regulatory and Standards Compliance
Industry certifications
FIPS 140-2 Level 2
Common Criteria EAL2
FIPS 140-2 Level 2
Common Criteria EAL2
FIPS 140-2 Level 2
Common Criteria EAL2
System Requirements
The optional Cisco NAC Agent works on systems with the characteristics listed in Table 4.
Table 4. Cisco NAC Agent System Requirements
Feature
Minimum Requirement
Supported OS
Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Vista Home, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home, Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Tablet PC, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows SE, Windows ME, Mac OS X
Hard drive space
Minimum of 10 MB of free hard drive space
Hardware
No minimum hardware requirements (works on various client machines)
Cisco NAC also supports single sign-on for wireless and remote-access users using certain IP Security (IPsec) VPN and WebVPN clients. These are outlined in Table 5.
Table 5. VPN and Wireless Components Supported with Single Sign-On
Product
Clients
Cisco wireless LAN controllers
-
Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliances
• Cisco SSL VPN (tunnel)
• Cisco IPsec VPN Client
Cisco WebVPN Service Modules for Cisco Catalyst® 6500 Series Switches and Cisco 7600 Series Routers
Cisco VPN 3000 Series Concentrators
Cisco PIX® Security Appliances
Cisco NAC is preconfigured to offer policy checks for more than 350 applications from 50 vendors. This list is constantly being expanded; please visit http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6128/prod_release_notes_list.html for the latest supported applications (listed under "Cisco NAC Appliance Supported AV/AS Product List").
Note: Not all check types are supported for all products, and some vendors do not support Windows 9x. In addition to the preconfigured checks, the customer has full access to the Cisco NAC rules engine and can create any custom check or rule for any other third-party application.
Service and Support
Cisco offers a wide range of services programs to accelerate customer success. These innovative programs are delivered through a unique combination of people, processes, tools, and partners, resulting in high levels of customer satisfaction. Cisco services help you to protect your network investment, optimize network operations, and prepare your network for new applications to extend network intelligence and the power of your business. For more information about Cisco services, see Cisco Technical Support Services or Cisco Advanced Services.
