Funk describes
Odyssey Client as a multi-platform, multi-protocol 802.1X access client suitable for deployment on enterprise networks. It offers a "simple user experience" to encourage rapid adoption by the end user population, and provides pre-configuration tools that enable rapid, automated deployment across every wireless device on the network, according to the company. With the addition of NAC support Odyssey Client can become a key component of a complete endpoint integrity strategy that lets enterprise network managers proactively protect their networks against viruses, worms, and other "malware."
Odyssey Client supports a veritable alphabet soup of authentication methods and protocols including EAP-TTLS, EAP-PEAP, EAP-TLS, EAP-FAST, EAP-SIM, and LEAP authentication methods, and WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), WiFi Protected Access (WPA), and dynamic WEP encryption protocols, according to Funk.
About NACWhile most organizations use identity management and "authentication, authorization, and accounting" (AAA) to authenticate users and authorize network privileges, there is typically no easy way to authenticate the security profile of a user's endpoint device, according to Cisco. Without an accurate way to assess the "health" of a device, even the most trustworthy user can inadvertently expose everyone else on the network to significant risks posed by either an infected device, or by one that is not properly protected against infection, Cisco points out.
To solve this problem,
NAC uses the network infrastructure to enforce security policy compliance on devices seeking to access network computing resources, thereby limiting damage from security threats such as viruses, worms, and spyware that may be present on a device. NAC users are able to restrict network access to compliant and trusted endpoint devices, and can control the access of noncompliant or unmanaged devices, according to Cisco.
"Support for endpoint integrity architectures such as the Cisco NAC framework is an important extension of our RADIUS and 802.1X product strategy," said Joe Ryan, vice president of Funk Software. "Now we're able to help provide our joint customers with Odyssey Client's market-leading security and ease of deployment, with full support for their endpoint integrity scheme."
AvailabilityOdyssey Client is available
direct from Funk Software, as well as through its distribution partners. The software is priced at $50 per machine, with quantity discounts and private-label licensing available, according to Funk.
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