RE: Firewall Hardware Recommendations

From: Shawn Jackson (sjackson_at_horizonusa.com)
Date: 12/29/03

  • Next message: David: "RE: locked out of XP, need file access" 
    Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 13:33:42 -0800
To: <jamesworld@intelligencia.com>

            Doc's *murmur* *spit* *bubble*, must read more material
    *shudder*. Personally I like Microsoft documentation to cure my insomnia
    but Cisco makes for good medicine also. I've never used the manager, so
    next time I setup a PIX I'll have to load it on up and give it a shot. I
    work with the Cisco routers CLI more then the PIX CLI, so when working
    in the S-IOS CLI I'm a bit slow, like a moron reading a FAQ.

            You're absolutely right, the PIX isn't a wire speed firewall, if
    there even is a thing. But personally using a PIX 525 in a high traffic
    1000+ node environment it didn't become a bottleneck.

            I've never had a problem with the 'few' WatchGuard boxes I've
    worked with, what are the circumstances of their 'crash and burn'?

    Shawn Jackson
    Systems Administrator
    Horizon USA
    1190 Trademark Dr #107
    Reno NV 89521
    www.horizonusa.com
     
    Email: sjackson@horizonusa.com
    Phone: (775) 858-2338
           (800) 325-1199 x338

    -----Original Message-----
    From: jamesworld@intelligencia.com [mailto:jamesworld@intelligencia.com]

    Sent: Monday, December 29, 2003 1:11 PM
    To: Shawn Jackson
    Cc: jamesworld@intelligencia.com; Keith Duemling;
    security-basics@securityfocus.com
    Subject: RE: Firewall Hardware Recommendations

    Shawn,

    WatchGuard has you pay for VPN lic's.

    If you want to configure a VPN straight CLI and you are not proficient
    with
    it, yes it can be challenging (but that's what the doc's are for :-)

    Have you tried working with the PDM? You can have a VPN connection
    (remote
    access or point-to-point end) set up in minutes QUITE easily.

    The netscreen box is not mature enough yet in my analysis. (an yes I
    have
    talked with some ppl who were rather high up in the netscreen chain and
    it's echoed).

    Is it fast, yes of course it's asic based. Is the PIX fast? of
    course. Unless you are pushing Gigabit traffic with a tremendous load
    80%+
    100% of the time, the PIX is great. And like you said, it's secure.
    Heck,
    the NSA gave version 4.4 thumbs up! and we are at 6.3 currently and the

    boxes are plenty fast.

    BTW....WatchGuards have a NASTY habit of crashing and having to be
    reconfigured from scratch ( yes I am certified and have heard it even
    from
    their tech support)

    FWIW,
    -J

    At 12:03 12/29/2003, Shawn Jackson wrote:

    > WatchGuard more secure then PIX? Probably a sales person from
    >another vendor gotta love them. I've protected banks with the PIX 515
    >and 525 series and their rock solid. Update your Secure-IOS and
    maintain
    >your ACL's and your golden. Unlike SonicWall (maybe even WatchGuard now
    >too) you don't have to pay for the VPN component. A SonicWall PRO 230 +
    >VPN Licensees + Client Licensees = More then a PIX 515. I've heard, but
    >never seen, that WatchGuard in the same licensing frenzy. Can't speak
    >for NetScreen, I've personally tried to stay away from them, they give
    >me the willies, but it's been a while since I looked at them last.
    >
    > Same Q's as J. What Model? What S-IOS version? How Old, etc. I
    >admit, with head held in shame, that configuring the PIX can be a pain
    >in the arse, especially when you're working with the IPSEC end of a VPN
    >configuration and I've never setup PPTP on a PIX, but have done so on
    >many Cisco routers with little problems.
    >
    > Honestly, whoever sold you that load a bull needs help, no
    >disrespect intended but in security facts rule the digital road and
    >misinformation is the hazard just around the next corner.
    >
    >I hope EVERYONE had a safe and uneventful Christmas + Boxing Day. Set
    >aside some time today to review your logs (that built up) in full
    before
    >saving them and clearing from the active log files.
    >
    >Shawn Jackson
    >Systems Administrator
    >Horizon USA
    >1190 Trademark Dr #107
    >Reno NV 89521
    >www.horizonusa.com
    >
    >Email: sjackson@horizonusa.com
    >Phone: (775) 858-2338
    > (800) 325-1199 x338
    >
    >-----Original Message-----
    >From: jamesworld@intelligencia.com
    [mailto:jamesworld@intelligencia.com]
    >
    >Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2003 10:34 PM
    >To: Keith Duemling
    >Cc: security-basics@securityfocus.com
    >Subject: Re: Firewall Hardware Recommendations
    >
    >Keith,
    >
    >Curious, What cisco firewall do you currently have and what version OS
    >is
    >on it?
    >
    >Who told you that a WatchGuard firewall is more secure than a Cisco
    >firewall?
    >
    >The PIX does what you are asking for. If you have information to the
    >counter, please post.
    >
    >Cheers!
    >-J
    >
    >At 19:32 12/23/2003, Keith Duemling wrote:
    > >Just wanted to get some feedback from the list regarding some
    research
    >I'm
    > >currently working on. We're replacing our existing Cisco firewall
    with
    >a
    > >dedicated firewall hardware/software solution to provider greater
    >security
    > >and VPN access.
    > >
    > >I've been looking at the Netscreen and various Watchguard products at
    >this
    > >time. The current environment is as follows;
    > >
    > >- NAT environment
    > >- DMZ to host web accessible servers
    > >- 100 internal users
    > >- Extensive intranet site & visitation to several high profile B2B
    >sites.
    > >- Constant 10 user VPN community.
    > >- Redundant T1 connection managed by RADware Linkproof hardware
    >solution.
    > >
    > >Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
    > >
    > >Keith Duemling
    > >MCP
    > >
    > >
    > >
    >
    >-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    >----
    >
    >-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    >-----
    >
    >
    >-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    -
    >---
    >-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    -
    >----
    >
    >
    >----------------------------------------------------------------------- 

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  • Next message: David: "RE: locked out of XP, need file access"

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