Cisco Adds Modularity to NAC

Cisco is adding yet another module to its Integrated Services Router (ISR)with the introduction of the NAC Network Module which is a full installationof Cisco's NAC appliance. Priced at $3500 for 50 users and $5000 for 100users, the network module offers a savings over the base price for a NACAppliance which starts at $8995 for 100 users. The NAC module is availablenow.
The main benefit of the NAC Network Module is that you can easily deploy NACin remote offices upto 100 users without having to add yet another box inthe branch and this takes the ISR one step closer to being the one-boxbranch solution. The obvious downside is that Cisco's ISR modular routerscome in fixed expandability configurations with slots dedicated to networkmodules and wan interface cards. The ISR 2811, the lowest ISR model thatsupports network modules supporting one slot. The NAC Network Module takesup a Network Module slot so if that slot, is already occupied with othernetwork modules like the Wide Area Application Services module, you willhave to decide which to use or upgrade that ISR to one in the 3800 family.Cisco has unified the NAC and ISR management into a single interface,simplifying configuration and control and you can use their Manager Lite forupto three offices.