Force10 Networks, a provider of infrastructure for building and securing intelligent services networks, and StillSecure, a provider of secure network infrastructure technology, have extended their partnership which enables 802.1x-based network access control (NAC) on all Force10 ethernet switches.

The companies said that through this partnership, they are merging security with the network, to embed protection from a range of threats into the IT infrastructure.

According to Force10, both the companies provide customers with a NAC technology based upon interoperability between all Force10 switches that have been standardised on FTOS, the Force10 Operating System, and Safe Access. Through the Safe Access user interface, administrators can configure and deploy 802.1x-based NAC.

The partnership is expected to address the convergence of networking, security, VoIP, and wireless. Using the combined technology, the companies claim that organisations can build a network that is protected from threats associated with new forms of communication such as SaaS, video, instant messaging and other peer-to-peer applications.

Steve Garrison, vice president of marketing at Force10, said: “The combined solution from Force10 and StillSecure provides unmatched reliability, scalability, performance and security. Leveraging Force10’s FTOS operating system and physical switch port security with StillSecure NAC technology provides a complete and robust solution for enterprise customers.”