Network Access Control has moved from a conceptual framework to a mature product category with a growing roster of established vendors. This comparison guide evaluates the leading NAC solutions across key dimensions to help you make an informed purchase decision.
Evaluation Criteria
- Deployment architecture flexibility (inline vs. out-of-band)
- Agent vs. agentless assessment capabilities
- Integration with directory services (Active Directory, LDAP)
- Network infrastructure integration (Cisco, HP, Juniper)
- Guest and contractor access management
- Remediation capabilities
- Reporting and audit trail
- Scalability and high availability
Leading Vendors
Cisco NAC Appliance (Clean Access): Broad market adoption, deep integration with Cisco infrastructure, available as inline appliance or as part of Cisco’s broader NAC framework.
Juniper Networks UAC: Strong integration with Juniper network infrastructure, policy-based access using IF-MAP protocol, flexible deployment options.
Bradford Networks: Strong out-of-band deployment model, deep network device integration, good guest management capabilities.
ConSentry Networks: Inline LAN security platform with integrated NAC, firewall, and IPS capabilities.
Enterasys Networks: Policy-based networking with integrated NAC, strong in educational environments.