Aruba ClearPass is a network access control platform that helps organisations manage and secure access across wired, wireless and remote enterprise networks. It uses device profiling, role-based access policies and guest onboarding to give IT teams finer control over users, contractors and IoT devices while supporting more consistent access decisions.
When access decisions must reflect who or what is connecting, not just whether a password is valid, organisations need consistent control across users, devices and network entry points.
Aruba ClearPass is a network access control platform for wired, wireless and remote access environments. It supports Aruba and multivendor networks through RADIUS, TACACS+, guest access, onboarding and device profiling.
ClearPass is used to assign access by user, device and role rather than static VLAN membership alone. It applies role-based policies across switch, WLAN and VPN access, while guest workflows and sponsorship controls keep visitor traffic separate from corporate authentication. Onboard supports certificate-based enrolment for BYOD, so personal devices receive managed policy instead of unmanaged access.
For security and operations teams, this creates finer control over contractors, employees and IoT devices without relying only on fixed switch or WLAN configuration. Endpoint posture checks can be folded into access decisions where device health matters, helping reduce blind spots and support stronger assurance.
If you are evaluating Aruba ClearPass for network access control, BYOD, guest onboarding or IoT profiling, our team can help assess how it fits your environment.
Aruba ClearPass is a network access control platform for enterprise wired, wireless and remote access environments, helping IT teams enforce role-based policy, device visibility and Zero Trust controls across mixed infrastructure.
Role-Based Access Policies
ClearPass authenticates users and devices and applies role-based access policies so organisations can align network permissions with user identity, device type and business role.
Wired, Wireless, and VPN Enforcement
The platform delivers consistent access control across wired, wireless and remote access environments, reducing the need for separate policy rules for each connection method.
Endpoint Profiling for IoT
ClearPass profiles endpoints to classify devices such as cameras, printers and sensors that cannot authenticate like standard users, which supports access decisions for IoT-connected assets.
Guest and BYOD Onboarding
The system supports guest access, onboarding and device profiling for corporate, guest and BYOD connections, helping IT manage controlled registration and policy assignment.
Posture-Based Access Decisions
ClearPass can apply posture and compliance checks before granting access, helping teams evaluate endpoint health where stronger device assurance is required.
Active Directory and LDAP Integration
The platform integrates with Active Directory and LDAP to use existing identity sources for policy-based access decisions in enterprise environments.
Multivendor Network Compatibility
ClearPass provides RADIUS and TACACS+ access control for Aruba infrastructure as well as third-party switches, wireless platforms and firewalls, supporting policy enforcement across mixed networks.
If you need to unify access control across wired, wireless and remote users, our Aruba experts can help map ClearPass policies to your identity sources, device types and compliance requirements.
Use Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager across wired, wireless and VPN access layers to authenticate users and devices, profile endpoints, and assign access by role rather than static VLAN membership. Its RADIUS and TACACS+ policy engine, plus integrations with Active Directory, LDAP, SQL and third-party network equipment, make it well suited to enforce consistent role-based controls in multivendor environments and support Zero Trust access decisions.
Use ClearPass for visitor and contractor wireless access, where guest portals, sponsor workflows and temporary credentials separate guests from corporate users without manual network changes. It fits this use case because it combines guest access management with policy-based authentication and integrates with Aruba and third-party wireless platforms to keep temporary access controlled, auditable and easy to manage.
Use ClearPass Onboard for employee-owned devices that need secure network access without being treated as unmanaged guest traffic. It is suited to BYOD onboarding because it supports certificate-based enrolment, endpoint profiling and role-based policy enforcement, allowing IT teams to register personal devices and apply access controls based on user, device and compliance state.
Use ClearPass in device-dense campuses to identify printers, cameras, sensors and other headless endpoints, then apply access policy based on device type and risk. Its device profiling and role-based policy model are a strong fit for IoT environments because it gives security teams visibility into unmanaged devices and lets them enforce the right network access without relying on user credentials alone.
Use ClearPass across switch and WLAN access points to enforce the same policy for wired and wireless connections through RADIUS authentication, downloadable roles and Aruba infrastructure integrations. This makes it ideal for organisations that need one access control platform for multivendor networks, with consistent enforcement from the access layer rather than separate rules for each network type.
Use ClearPass where endpoint health must affect network access, linking posture assessment tools and endpoint security systems into NAC decisions before access is granted. It is well suited to this workflow because it can combine authentication, device profiling and compliance checks with role-based policy enforcement, helping teams allow, restrict or remediate access based on device state rather than credentials alone.
Aruba ClearPass provides RADIUS, TACACS+, guest, onboarding and device profiling for wired, wireless and VPN access across multivendor networks.
Supports policy-based access enforcement across Aruba switches and WLANs, using downloadable roles for consistent wired and wireless control.
Integrates with Active Directory, LDAP and SQL to make role-based access decisions from user and device identity data.
Connects with MDM, UEM and endpoint security tools to include device state and compliance in access policy decisions.
Manages guest portals, sponsorship controls and onboarding flows for temporary access without exposing corporate authentication paths.
Profiles BYOD and IoT devices, including printers, cameras and sensors, so access can follow certificate enrolment, device type and risk.
Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager is licensed by endpoint capacity for the CPPM cluster, with physical appliances, virtual appliances or ClearPass-as-a-Service options available for the core policy, AAA and BYOD platform.
Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager includes 802.1X, MAB, TACACS+ and Web auth, alongside role-based access enforcement, basic profiling, OnGuard posture and Onboard self-registration.
Aruba ClearPass Guest may require separate licensing for branded guest portals, sponsor workflows and guest credential delivery for hospitality, branch and visitor Wi-Fi use cases.
Aruba ClearPass may require separate licensing for OnGuard posture checks, Onboard certificate-based BYOD enrolment and Device Insight cloud subscription, with each module licensed by endpoint or concurrent session where applicable.
Aruba ClearPass may also require separate licensing for Exchange Connectors, ClearPass Sensor and any adjunct Aruba Central NetConductor or SSE integration that sits outside the core CPPM licence.
Aruba ClearPass is sold as perpetual licensing with annual HPE software support or Foundation Care, or as a subscription through HPE GreenLake, and our team can help assess endpoint capacity, appliance versus VM or GreenLake, required modules, TACACS+ scope, perpetual versus subscription, Tech Care level and renewal alignment.
We help assess how Aruba ClearPass fits your wired, wireless, guest and remote access requirements, so your policy approach, device types and access roles are aligned to business and security goals.
Our team can assist with Aruba ClearPass deployment and configuration, including access policy setup, guest and BYOD onboarding, device profiling and role-based controls tailored to your environment.
We support Aruba ClearPass integration with Active Directory, MDM/UEM platforms, Aruba networking infrastructure, third-party switches and wireless systems, as well as supporting security tools used for access decisions.
We can help prepare administrators and service owners for Aruba ClearPass operations by defining access processes, handover steps and support responsibilities for guest access, onboarding and policy administration.
We support Aruba ClearPass with ongoing operational reviews, configuration guidance, version planning and licence alignment, including advice on appliance, virtual or subscription-based renewal and capacity changes.
We help review Aruba ClearPass licensing against endpoint capacity, appliance or virtual deployment, and the add-on modules in use, so your core Policy Manager and any Guest, OnGuard, Onboard or Device Insight requirements stay aligned to demand.
Where relevant, our team can assess ClearPass alongside wider Aruba and HPE investments, including Central, NetConductor and GreenLake consumption, to improve renewal visibility and keep subscription structures coordinated across the portfolio.
We can review perpetual, subscription and GreenLake models, plus separately licensed applications and support cover, to help align ClearPass investment with growth, multivendor access control needs and budget priorities.
We support proactive renewal planning by reviewing endpoint growth, module uptake and support dates early, helping you keep ClearPass coverage aligned as guest, BYOD, IoT and administration requirements change.
Successful network access control depends on more than the licence alone, and we help maximise value from Aruba ClearPass through adoption planning, usage review, policy refinement and ongoing lifecycle guidance.
The software and technologies listed here support different requirements and are often used together as part of a wider IT stack.
As an official partner to vendors including Cisco, Juniper, HPE and Fortinet, we can help confirm which software or combination provides the capabilities your team needs, while avoiding under- or over-licensing.
Speak to our team for help matching the right solution and licence level to your requirements.
