What does 'Mab' stand for in Cisco ISE?

'Mab' stands for MAC Authentication Bypass in the context of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE). This method is designed for situations where endpoint devices do not have the capability to perform 802.1X authentication, which is a standard method used for securing network access. Instead of requiring a full authentication suite that includes usernames and passwords, MAC Authentication Bypass allows the network to authenticate devices based solely on their MAC addresses.

In practical terms, this means that when a device connects to the network, ISE will check its MAC address against its database. If the MAC is recognized and permitted, the device is then granted access. This is particularly useful for devices such as printers, cameras, and other non-user devices that may not be able to handle more advanced authentication protocols.

This approach, while convenient, does come with some security considerations. Since MAC addresses can be spoofed, relying solely on MAC Authentication Bypass may expose the network to security risks if not implemented with additional protective measures.

The other options presented refer to topics that are not accurate representations of the term 'Mab' within the ISE context. For example, multi-factor authentication provides a higher security layer but is not directly related to this term, while managed access boundary and manual address