Unit 1 Research Project – Overview of Windows Server 2008 Features

CIS 245 – Windows Client and Server

Unit 1 Research Project

Abstract – The objective of the Unit 1 research project was to provide an overview on two of the five topics that were listed in the assignment page. The overview is designed to give a general understanding of the topic, the function it provides, when it would be used, what benefit it provides, and any other pertinent information. For this assignment I chose Network Access Protection (NAP) and Client Access Licenses (CALs).

Network Access Protection - Network Access Protection, or NAP, is a tool that allows network administrators to manage the access to network resources, as well as monitor real-time events on the network (Palmer, 2011). It has features that ensure all clients have the proper security protocols in order to remain connected to the network. If something is missing, it will automatically update the computer so that it matches the requirements for network access. It also performs continuous monitoring even after access has been granted to make sure they remain in compliance. As a security protocol, if a computer is found to lack the proper settings, NAP will quarantine it to limit what parts of the network it can use, or if it is found that it does not meet any of the requirements, it will quarantine it completely until it becomes compliant. Nap is also used when clients are connected to the network for the first time. It will check to make sure it is compliant with the security protocols in place, and if it meets those requirements then it will be allowed to remain connected to the network.
NAP can be found on devices such as a switch, VPN server, DHCP server or other services (Rouse, 2012). This ensures that everything trying to gain access to the network resources is checked before being allowed to go through.