Hitachi Cable, Ltd. announces that its Apresia*1 authentication switch now supports the IEEE802.1X*2 multisupplicant function included in the iNetSec(R) Inspection Center*3 quarantine network software provided by PFU, Ltd. (Tokyo Headquarters: Kawasaki, Kanagawa; President: Fujio Wajima; "PFU" hereafter). As a result, Apresia's PC quarantine LAN solutions now include a quarantine solution capable of providing IEEE802.1X-based authentication for two or more client PCs connected to Apresia-controlled hubs.

In recent years, awareness of security issues related to corporate data networks has been growing. This has led not only to precautions to protect corporate networks against external attacks, but also to measures to ensure the security of network connections from within the company, a domain previously considered secure, as insecure network environments can result in virus infections originating from PCs with inadequate security measures, information leaks by users not authorized to connect to the network, and unauthorized network use.

Under these circumstances, Hitachi Cable has been offering PC quarantine LAN solutions based on Apresia NA (Network Authentication), a unique authenticating function of Apresia, and the IEEE802.1X international authentication standard.

Hitachi Cable's unique authentication technique, Apresia NA, is capable of carrying out authentication for two or more client PCs connected to Apresia-controlled hubs. Apresia NA is OS-independent and can authenticate Linux/Unix machines, allowing for a PC quarantine LAN system with a relatively flexible network configuration.

IEEE802.1X authentication, on the other hand, while strong and internationally standardized, allows only a single client PC to be connected to a port. Corporate networks in Japanese enterprises generally contain hubs connected to the ports of the authentication switches, with two or more client PCs connected to each hub, making it difficult for Japanese enterprises to introduce the IEEE802.1X authentication scheme.

With the increasing demand for security, some manufacturers now provide PC quarantine systems with support for the multisupplicant function, which enables IEEE802.1X-based authentication for two or more client PCs connected to a single port. However, many of these systems require that all hubs connected to the authentication switch support EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol), which is used as the authentication protocol for IEEE802.1X. This requirement often causes problems in terms of network configuration flexibility and cost.

These circumstances have created the need for solutions allowing easier construction of PC quarantine LAN systems supporting the multisupplicant function.

PFU's iNetSec(R) Inspection Center is quarantine network software that implements diverse security controls based on the abundant included quarantine policies. It requires minimal PC quarantine time and does not impose stress on the user. It also supports a quarantine dictionary distribution service, streamlining administrator maintenance of the latest security policies. In addition to these features, iNetSec(R) Inspection Center also supports the multisupplicant function and is capable of providing IEEE802.1X authentication for two or more client PCs, regardless of the EAP compliance status of the connected hubs.

Hitachi Cable and PFU have offered a PC quarantine LAN solution since May 2006, combining Hitachi Cable's Apresia and PFU's iNetSec(R) Inspection Center. This combination has utilized Apresia NA authentication, an authentication function unique to Apresia.

In response to the recent increase in demand for security, Hitachi Cable has expanded the functions of the Apresia 13000/4300 series to include support for the multisupplicant function of iNetSec(R) Inspection Center. As a result, a PC quarantine LAN system created using the Apresia13000/4300 series and iNetSec(R) Inspection Center can now provide IEEE802.1X-based authentication for two or more client PCs connected to Apresia-controlled hubs, regardless of whether the hubs are compliant with EAP.

This new function of Apresia provides users with added flexibility. Users can, for example, easily introduce multisupplicant PC quarantine LAN systems utilizing their existing network configuration, and can increase the number of users even after introduction of the PC quarantine LAN system simply by adding hubs.

Hitachi Cable hopes to further expand its share of Ethernet switches in the enterprise and service provider markets by strengthening Apresia's functions, widening the product lineup and various security solutions through collaborations with partner companies, and utilizing Apresia sales partner channels.

*1	Apresia is a registered trademark of Hitachi Cable, Ltd. in Japan.
*2	IEEE802.1X is an authentication standard created by IEEE (US Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) for controlling port access, primarily based on RADIUS authentication. Compatible with the Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems.
*3	iNetSec is a registered trademark of PFU, Ltd.