Network security

[Tommy L]

I would like to buy a firewall (hardware) solution. Any recommendations? I have a small farm plugged into the office network. Everyone else is on mac, so Im sure to get the blame should there be any nasty business on the network.

I am a total novice on this subject, any advice much appreciated.

Tom.

[Jeff Mottle]

I've had a lot of different firewalls over the years and all of the consumer crap eventually dies or becomes unreliable. At least it did for me. I moved over to professional gear abut 5 years ago and have never looked back. I started with a Cisco PIX 501, now EOL and upgraded to an Cisco ASA 5505. Very powerful and solid piece of gear.

 

I taught myself how to administer the PIX and ASA with the really good PDF manual here: http://firewallkeys.com/. When I upgraded to the 5505, I did not have time to set up the new one (had a new interface too), so I contacted Eric who wrote the

manual and asked him if he could help me out. He sold me the ASA 5505 and also migrated all my settings and preinstalled them onto the ASA before he shipped it to me. So I just had to plug it in. He then logged into the firewall once I had it running just to make sure it was all set up perfectly. I use it to VPN into my network as well. Don't be too scared off by his websites, I was really happy with his service and support. His consulting website is here: http://www.keyitconsulting.com/ That ASA costs about $400-500.

[Tommy L]

Thanks Jeff, just what I needed.

Edit: Crikey, looks like you need a PHD in firewalls to be able to set one up

Edited October 7, 2010 by Tommy L

[Arnold Sher]

Hi Tom,

 

i will second Jeff's recommendation. We are also on Cisco 1800 series works in conjunction with FortiGate 50B. It is by no means the best that you can get but for our small studio is perfect. As for the setup i did not even try touching it as that is way off base for me but thankfully my best mate does security for a living and he plays with these all day long. It took him about half an hour to set it up and that is all she wrote. Never maintain it, never do anything to it and never have any problems it send log files directly to my friend who once in a while takes a peak to see that all is good.

[Jeff Mottle]

Edit: Crikey, looks like you need a PHD in firewalls to be able to set one up

 

Yeah Professional firewalls are no joke that's for sure. You most certainly need to understand networking and then some. That ebook really helped me out though. There is a reason there are Cisco certified IT techs.