The number of devices connecting to the network continues to rise, with devices of all types becoming “IP-enabled”. Networks are no longer dominated by PCs, laptops, servers and printers. Today’s networks are used by a myriad of new devices including VoIP phones, handheld smartphones, security cameras, HVAC systems, vending machines, cash registers, biomedical devices, manufacturing equipment, and a virtually endless list of other IP devices. This creates two significant challenges for IT organizations: how to identify the various devices by type, and how to effectively manage them all.

To address the first challenge, Bradford Networks’ Device Profiler extension dynamically classifies all devices connecting to the network by applying multiple profiling techniques to determine device type. By maintaining a database of various devices and their profiles, Device Profiler provides complete visibility of different types of devices that have connected to the network.

Next is the management challenge. For managing the many devices, Device Profiler allows administrative resources to be assigned for each device type, or profile, so management responsibility can be distributed to appropriate functional groups, rather than resting in IT’s hands.

Using the Device Profiler extension, various devices on the network can be easily classified and managed by device type. When used in combination with other solutions in Bradford’s Network Sentry family, device profile information can then be used to provision customized access to network resources, allowing each type of device to be assigned unique access privileges.