HP ProCurve rides the convergence wave

HP ProCurve announced two products that will further networking and security convergence today.  According to this article by Matt Hamblen at ComputerWorld, ProCurve (which is 2nd in networking port shipments globally) will release ProCurve Network Immunity Manager. It sounds like some sort of IDS type of detection, maybe behavior and signature based that works with ProCurve switches to throttle or stop bad traffic from its origin.  The second product due out in the 3rd quarter, is called ProCurve Network Access Controller 800.  It sounds like a NAC device that works hand in hand with ProCurve's Indentity Driven Manager.  Very interesting.  ProCurve CTO Paul Congdon is this weeks guest on the podcast and he may have a thing or two to say about this.  If you get a chance listen in.

Interestingly, Rob Whiteley of Forrest-er and "network NAC is dead" infamy, says that this network based NAC seems to be a good thing.  Geez Rob, why didn't you say anything about PERM?  Isn't that the future and this network based access control stuff history?  I can't imagine what would make you seem to change position on this.