Learn how VLCM used HPE Aruba Networking and Fortinet to stabilize a 24/7 manufacturer’s network, secure shared workstations with 802.1X authentication, and give IT staff the confidence to manage it on their own.
The IT team at an around-the-clock operation was in a pressure cooker. An unstable network created reliability issues across the plant, while shared workstations made secure access difficult to manage shift to shift. It was clear the environment needed more than another round of troubleshooting. VLCM’s networking engineers were brought in to stabilize the network, turn down the heat on IT, and chart the course toward modernization.
VLCM worked closely with the manufacturer’s IT team to design a network modernization plan that addressed their most pressing challenges:
As deployment was about to begin, the project hit a critical moment: a core switch failed before the new equipment could be installed. VLCM’s engineers immediately stepped in, reconfiguring the Fortinet Firewalls to handle routing and keep operations steady until the new switches were ready to go live. Darren Buttars, VLCM Network Engineer, explains, “Their core switch died, and because the new hardware was back-ordered, Trent Fausett (VLCM Network Engineer) helped them move a lot of the routing to the Fortinet Firewalls and put them into place. Without his help, they would have stayed down.”
After stabilizing the immediate issues, VLCM guided the customer through a two-phase network modernization. First, HPE Aruba Networking switches and wireless were deployed to replace inconsistent legacy equipment and provide a stable platform for 24/7 operations. “We unboxed all of the switches in the same room on a table, and we configured and labeled them one at a time,” says Darren, “Then all the IT team had to do was take the switch and physically install it into the rack and move the cables to the new switch.”
At the same time, VLCM introduced HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager. The Policy Manager gives the IT team new visibility into their environment by logging every device that attempts to connect to the network. With its Access Tracker feature, the team can quickly see whether a device was denied, why it failed, and what steps to take next — whether it is as simple as a mistyped password or an unrecognized device. This makes diagnosing issues easier and provides the IT staff with a clearer picture of how their network is being utilized.
Phase two involved implementing 802.1X authentication on the switches, using HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass for policy and authentication services.
“The big problem the client wanted to address with 802.1X specifically had to do with people sharing desks,” says Darren. The client wanted users to be connected to the network but have different access rights depending on the user who signed into the computer. “We were able to configure the switches and ClearPass using an active directory lookup based on the user name,” says Darren, “When we had ClearPass return a role value to the switch, the switch would give that specific user or user group their access rights. This is one reason we like to deploy ClearPass,” says Darren, “ClearPass makes a more secure connection, but it also helps troubleshoot issues.”
However, because the customer’s environment had previously relied on VLAN separation, enabling 802.1X initially caused issues. Darren explains, “The switches themselves did not like the change of VLANs. To solve this, we kept all of the users on the same VLAN, but applied a firewall access list to define which resources each user or group could reach.” This approach replaced simple VLAN segmentation with policy-based controls. It delivered more advanced access management without requiring a disruptive redesign of the network.
To set the client up for success, VLCM’s networking engineers made sure their staff was well-trained. “When we configured the new network, we didn’t just configure it – we had the team do some of the configuration too, and provided a lot of training during the project so that they were able to understand exactly what we were doing,” explains Darren, “Now, if they have to make changes, they can do it on their own without needing to call us.”
This project gave our client exactly what they needed: a stable, secure network and the confidence to manage it day to day. VLCM’s networking engineers led the project from start to finish. They stabilized operations when hardware failed, designed and configured the new environment, and trained the IT team to manage it with confidence long after deployment. As the client’s Account Executive, Dick Morgan summed it up:
“We’ve got the best qualified engineers to deal with the network, and our customers know that.”
HPE Aruba Networking has recognized VLCM as SMB Partner of the Year in 2024, West Region Partner of the Year in 2023, and 2020.
Read more Customer Success Stories on VLCM and HPE Aruba Networking’s partnership:
If you are navigating network inconsistencies or need a networking health check, our Networking Engineers – including Darren Buttars and Trent Fausett, who were featured in this story – are here to help you Get IT Right. Contact Us
Our client is an engineering manufacturing company. We have happily accommodated their request to anonymize their name.
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