The IDsentrie from A10 Networks is a well-rounded identity management device. It has many features to help streamline both managing existing users and adding new ones all in one place. It includes features such as a user self-service web portal for password management, identity tracking with IP to ID, a built-in Radius server, user provisioning, and guest access and authenticated DHCP.
We found IDsentrie to be a fairly simple install. Once the appliance is plugged in, the IP settings are done via a HyperTerminal connection; from there, the rest of the configuration and management is done through the web-based GUI. The GUI itself is nicely organised, but it took us some time to really learn to navigate it efficiently, the reason being that main menus use abbreviated names, such as 'IEM' for 'Identity Events Manager'. This was confusing at first because we found ourselves forgetting where certain functions would be located.
From a performance and integration standpoint, this is quite a solid product. It can connect to a wide variety of data stores to manage users. Directories include Microsoft Active Directory, Microsoft SQL Server, LDAP and OpenLDAP, Novell eDirectory, many versions of Linux, and RSA SecurID. This allows for flexibility across the entire enterprise.
Documentation for this product has not changed much since we saw it last year and is still provided in PDF format on a supplied CD. It includes installation and setup guides, as well as a GUI admin guide and a CLI admin guide. All these guides are well organised and include many screenshots and diagrams.
A10 Networks offers three levels of maintenance to provide hardware, software and technical support services: standard warranty, basic support and gold support. Each of these different levels offers various support options, including access to phone and email technical support and an online support portal that has resources such as FAQs, software downloads, application notes and a technical library.
This product is solid value for the money. IDsentrie offers a fair amount of flexibility and easy manageability, and all at a reasonable price.