ConSentry Networks

About ConSentry Networks

ConSentry Networks was a computer networking hardware company that operated in the enterprise LAN security market. The firm was co-founded by Jeff Prince, an entrepreneur who previously co-founded Foundry Networks, bringing significant experience in the networking sector. ConSentry was established to address the growing need for more granular control and security within corporate local area networks.

The company's business was centered on the design and sale of intelligent switching products. It targeted enterprise clients who required robust security and visibility at the access layer of their networks. ConSentry's revenue model was based on selling its hardware platforms, the LANShield Switches and LANShield Controllers, directly and through a channel of security-focused solution providers. A notable milestone included an OEM agreement with Alcatel-Lucent, which integrated ConSentry's technology into its own product lines. This strategy aimed to displace legacy LAN switches that offered limited visibility beyond basic network layers. The company ceased operations on August 20, 2009.

ConSentry's core offering was its Intelligent Switching architecture, embedded in its LANShield products. This technology provided deep packet inspection at high speeds, allowing the switches to identify and control network traffic based on user identity, device type, role, and the specific application being used (Layer 7 visibility). Unlike traditional switches that relied on VLANs and Access Control Lists, ConSentry's platforms could dynamically apply business-specific policies by integrating with existing enterprise identity stores like Active Directory. This enabled functions such as quarantining non-compliant devices, providing identity-based access for guests, and protecting against malware, all within a single piece of hardware.