In Cisco ISE, what does the term 'profiler' refer to?

In Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), the term 'profiler' refers to a device identification mechanism. This function is fundamental to the operation of ISE as it enables the system to automatically discover and classify devices that connect to the network. By analyzing various attributes and behaviors of the devices, including DHCP, RADIUS, HTTP user-agent strings, and other protocols, the profiler creates a detailed profile of each device type.

This capability allows ISE to understand the specific characteristics of the devices, such as their operating systems, manufacturers, and device types (e.g., smartphones, laptops, printers). Consequently, the profiling information can be leveraged for applying appropriate security policies and access controls, ensuring that devices are granted access to the network in accordance with their specific identity and role within the organization.

The importance of profiling lies in its ability to enhance network visibility and security posture; it automates the classification of devices without requiring any manual intervention, crucial for large-scale environments with diverse device ecosystems.