Vernier Networks Supports Microsoft Network Access Protection Enforcement in EdgeWall NAC Appliances.

New Interoperability Delivers Network Access Control, Visibility and Compliance Without Requiring Upgrades to Existing Network Infrastructure

SAN FRANCISCO -- Vernier Networks, the leading supplier of award-winning network access control (NAC) appliances, today announced support for Microsoft Network Access Protection (NAP) in Vernier's EdgeWall 7000 and 8000 series appliances. Enhancements to Vernier's EdgeWall NAC solutions enable customers using Microsoft Network Policy Server to ensure system health and enforce validated network access policies without requiring upgrades to existing switches, routers and VPN servers.

The joint solution will be demonstrated at RSA Conference 2007 at the Microsoft Network Access Protection Pavilion (Booth 2325) and at Vernier Networks' exhibit (Booth 713). Attendees will see how EdgeWall appliances can be deployed within existing networks to enforce Microsoft Network Access Protection policies. Demonstrations contrast how endpoint devices compliant with Network Access Protection policies are given controlled network access, while non-compliant devices are quarantined or sent for further compliance inspection. The solution is designed to secure networks from costly intrusions and maintain continuous compliance with corporate policies and government regulations.

Network Access Protection is a policy enforcement technology built into the Windows Vista and Windows Server (code-named "Longhorn") operating systems that allows customers to better protect network assets from unhealthy computers by enforcing compliance with network health policies. Microsoft Network Access Protection technology is publicly available with trial versions of Windows Vista, and available to select partners and customers with Beta 2 of the future version of Windows Server "Longhorn."

"The Microsoft Network Access Protection platform and NPS provide detailed visibility into devices connecting to the network," said Simon Khalaf, president and chief executive officer for Vernier Networks. "This visibility, coupled with our identity-based, inline inspection capabilities, enables EdgeWall appliances to enforce enterprise-wide network access policies."

More than 1,000 organizations have selected the Vernier Networks' NAC solution to secure guest and contractor access, ensure continuous network compliance and reduce the risk of intrusions by vulnerable devices accessing their network. Through its EdgeWall NAC appliances, the Vernier solution authenticates, validates and authorizes compliant devices; quarantines and remediates infected devices; and continuously inspects traffic for policy compliance. Currently, validation is done through a combination of network-based and host-based scanning of the device. Support for Microsoft Network Access Protection gives EdgeWall appliances device details via the Network Access Protection client and associated System Health Agents (SHAs) and System Health Validators (SHVs). This robust device information helps organizations better define and enforce network access policies based on system health without deploying additional software agents on the desktop.

"In today's environment of increasingly sophisticated criminal attacks, our customers deploy solutions such as EdgeWall NAC appliances to help protect their networks," said Mike Schutz, group product manager of Security and Access Products at Microsoft Corp. "We are pleased that Vernier Networks' solutions will integrate with Network Access Protection to help Microsoft customers improve infrastructure security."

About Vernier Networks EdgeWall

Vernier offers a complete line of EdgeWall NAC solutions, including the EdgeWall 8800, the industry's first modular high-performance NAC platform purpose-built for the most demanding enterprise-network environments. It is the first NAC product to deliver all of the following key security components: wire-speed authenticated and validated access to all users throughout the network; protection from security threats and malicious behavior; continuous compliance inspection; and a fully integrated Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDP) engine. All of this functionality is delivered for as little as $25 per endpoint - the lowest cost per endpoint of any current NAC solution.

About Vernier Networks

Vernier Networks delivers the industry's leading Network Access Control products that are designed to ensure network compliance. The award-winning EdgeWall product line authenticates, validates and authorizes compliant endpoints, quarantines and remediates infected devices and continuously inspects traffic for policy compliance. Vernier's products are deployed at over a thousand enterprises, higher education institutions, healthcare organizations and government agencies worldwide. Headquartered in Mountain View, California, with sales operations and channel partners worldwide, Vernier can be found on the web at www.verniernetworks.com.

Vernier Networks and the Vernier logo are trademarks of Vernier Networks, Inc. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.