PacketFence vs RUCKUS Cloudpath Enrollment System

PacketFence is an enterprise network access control platform for organizations managing wired, wireless, and VPN access. It can enforce policy through SNMP or RADIUS, inline Layer 2 or Layer 3 deployment, VLAN assignment, and quarantine isolation. Authentication options include 802.1X/EAP, directory services, external RADIUS, OAuth2 social login, SAML 2.0, and PKI certificates. Guest workflows include self-registration, sponsored access, email or SMS confirmation, and CSV imports. Self-service provisioning can configure 802.1X profiles for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. The platform checks antivirus, operating system patch level, and security-agent presence, and can quarantine devices that fail policy. Administrators get a web interface, command-line tools, REST API, customizable captive portals, and Perl extension points. The self-hosted Community Edition is GPL v2+ with unlimited devices and full source code. Its listed minimum requirements include Debian 12.x or RHEL 8.x, four CPU cores, 16 GB RAM, 200 GB disk, and a network interface. Paid plans include Starter at $5,000 /year for up to 250 registered devices.

RUCKUS Cloudpath Enrollment System manages secure access to wired and wireless networks for users and devices. It is available as a cloud service or as virtualized on-premises software for VMware or Hyper-V. Customizable self-service workflows let BYOD and guest users onboard without IT intervention; device checks can direct noncompliant devices to remediation before access is granted. Cloudpath supports WPA2/WPA3-Enterprise with 802.1X authentication and encrypts data in transit between devices and access points. Administrators can define per-user and per-device rules for roles, bandwidth, applications, and private networks using VLANs or VXLANs. The system includes a certificate authority and supports digital certificates and revocable, user-specific Dynamic PSKs. Guest credentials can be sent by email or SMS, or printed as vouchers, and portals can offer social login. Identity sources include Active Directory, LDAP-compatible directories, RADIUS via PAP, Novell, and Google. Subscriptions run for one, three, or five years, with support included; pricing is available on request.