PacketFence 3.3 introduces role-based access control

The developers of PacketFence have released version 3.3 of their open source network access control (NAC) system. The major update adds support for new hardware and introduces role-based access control, which restricts system access to authorised users – only AeroHIVE, Aruba, Meru and Motorola equipment is supported in the initial implementation. New guest account options allow guests to be pre-registered before accessing a network or to have their network access sponsored by a current user.

A full list of bug fixes, enhancements and new features in the update can be found in the release announcement; at the time of writing, the change log has yet to be updated. Shortly after the release of 3.3.0, the developers released version 3.3.1 to address undisclosed issues. PacketFence 3.3.1 is available to download as source and as RPMs for versions 5 and 6 of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and CentOS, Documentation is provided.

With PacketFence, system administrators can secure their networks by enforcing authentication and registration for newly connected devices. It can detect abnormal network activity and isolate troublesome devices. The system is administered via a command-line or web-based management system, and can be integrated with LDAP or ActiveDirectory service, Snort IDS and the Nesus vulnerability scanner. Licensed under the GPLv2, PacketFence is sponsored and developed by Inverse.

(crve)