Security innovations being built into switches are attracting attention from buyers who not long ago focused primarily on feeds and speeds. Network executives say they need all the help they can get to cope with today’s threats. They are eager to use new switch-based security schemes – such as the ability to quarantine viruses and enforce policies – being touted by Alcatel, Cisco and Enterasys Networks, among others. With no way to enforce software patch updates – worms typically infiltrate desktops and servers through unpatched vulnerabilities – Abilene Christian employed an approach that calls for its campus LAN switches to play a more prominent security role. Full Story