WatchGuard launches all-in-one security appliance

With designs to make life easier for small and midsize businesses, WatchGuard Technologies Inc. on Monday introduced a line of expandable multi-function security appliances.

Dubbed Firebox X, the family of devices based on Intel Corp. technology combines VPN, firewall, application layer security, intrusion prevention, authentication, and spam and Web filtering in a single 1U enclosure. Firebox X replaces WatchGuard's line of fixed configuration boxes.

Utilizing proxies created for various protocols including HTTP, FTP, SMTP, and DNS to detect anomalies, WatchGuard executives said the appliance assists in preventing and blocking attacks created to exploit said protocols.

John Stuckey, vice president of product management at WatchGuard, explains that today's attacks are multi-vectored and SMBs are not equipped to deploy, integrate, and manage multiple single-purpose appliances.

Charles Kolodgy, a security analyst at IDC, agrees.

"SMBs are concerned with ease-of-use and getting performance at a good price," said Kolodgy, who sees the advantages of developing a box with a custom ASIC or on an Intel-based platform. "Multiple applications in one box are not so common in large enterprises because that box becomes a single point of failure." He argues that SMBs are not as concerned about a single appliance becoming a bottleneck, because they are desperate for a solution that is comprehensive and scalable.

To that end, WatchGuard has developed a singular appliance that can be expanded per number of users as well as by function by purchasing a software key to turn on functions pre-built into the box.

Scalability and performance gains are what attracted Erica Anderson, technical service supervisor at Unionbay, to the Firebox X, which can be used as a 500, 700, 1000, or 2500 in the same box. Having deployed three Firebox Xs, Anderson explained the company's three major offices are connected via a VPN, and she wanted to add more users and increase the speed of the VPN. Firebox X is equipped with six ports and has a bay for more storage.

She explained the company will not be using all of the security features of the Firebox X, but likes that she can just turn them on if she decides to use them by purchasing a key from WatchGuard.

Alvin Garylin, senior product line manager at WatchGuard, explained the company reduced latency that came from running all of those security applications in one box through its Intelligent Layered Security architecture. He said the architecture allows good traffic to pass through quickly and that by analyzing the protocol used, only certain checks are run against the incoming traffic.

WatchGuard says it is looking to add SSL acceleration to the box in the near future and added security for new protocols, including those used for a Web service. Additionally it will add a Web-based user interface.

All four of the WatchGuard models are available immediately, starting at US$1,990 up to US$4,990. WatchGuard competes against Cisco Systems Inc., Fortinet Inc., Servgate Technologies Inc., and NetScreen Technologies Inc.

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