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Hardware firewall?

C

coolVariable

Diamond Member
What is a good hardware firewall that is 1) secure and 2) very easy to configure (think linksys router easy).

Primarily it should do the following:
1) act as a firewall for the internet
2) allow Wifi access (With encryption and all the bells and whistles)
3) allow people to connect to the server (behind the firewall) from anywhere in the world via VPN (either the VPN options coming with XP or the Cisco VPN)

Currently the setup uses a SonicWall firewall which is a total piece of cr@p, cannot be configured, continously runs out of IP addresses and simply doesn't work.


 
I have heard good things about the sonicWall...are you sure you are configuring it right?

You can't have both ease of use and power, they are (mostly) mutally exclusive elements of the computing world.
 
I was gonna suggest checking out vendors like Watchguard, SonicWall, and 3com but you hate SonicWall already...
Many will swear by Cisco's Pix. (me included) They're great firewalls but don't provide WIFI.
 
Try Endian Firewall. Its a simplified version of IPCOP. Its about as easy as your going to get and still remain somewhat secure. Its free and goes onto any old pc that you have lying around.

if your willing to pay i would suggest Instagate Pro from Esoft. go to www.esoft.com and check them out. we use one here where i work and i have never had any problems. vpn access is very simple to setup. you will be happy with it i promise.
 
Originally posted by: nweaver
I have heard good things about the sonicWall...are you sure you are configuring it right?

You can't have both ease of use and power, they are (mostly) mutally exclusive elements of the computing world.
Click to expand...

Whatever you heard can't be true.
Even a tech company that we hired for this specific purpose couldn't get the damn thing to work properly.
Apparently, SonicWall thinks that they do not need to use standard terms.

I don't see why there isn't a firewall that is as easy to use as a plain old router.
All it should do is close all port except the ones you specify - and those you should be able to re-direct to IPs and ports on the LAN. What's so damn hard about that?
 
Originally posted by: coolVariable
All it should do is close all port except the ones you specify - and those you should be able to re-direct to IPs and ports on the LAN. What's so damn hard about that?
Click to expand...

That's not all a real firewall does, and if that's all you want, you don't need one. A good firewall should be able to control and manipulate inbound and outbound traffic based on state, protocols, header contents, source and destination, etc, etc. Many also have support for VPN tunnels, VoIP, advanced logging systems, and loads of other extras. And then there's the world of intrusion detection/prevention systems...



 
Atheus - I think the OP was trying to make the point that the SonicWall they have can't even do the most basic stuff, not to mention all the other traffic control and manipulation.

I'm not sure if we can rate a firewall manufacturer solely based on one model - many have said good things about Watchguard too, but the Firebox we have at our colo craps out once in a while and requires reboot.
 
I think a firewall is basically as good as how closely it is configured to meet your needs. Until someone makes a firewall that can read minds no one will be perfect.
 
Out of curiousity, which SonicWall do you have? I've worked with four different models and never had a problem with any of them. Be aware that SonicWall limits the number of outbound connections you can have unless you've bought the unlimited license.
 
Originally posted by: BornStar18
Out of curiousity, which SonicWall do you have? I've worked with four different models and never had a problem with any of them. Be aware that SonicWall limits the number of outbound connections you can have unless you've bought the unlimited license.
Click to expand...

Model: SOHO TZW
Firmware Version: SonicOS 1.0.0.2
ROM Version: 1.0.0.2
CPU Type: 133 MHz Toshiba 3927 H2
Available Memory: 16MB RAM, 4MB Flash

Yeah, the number of licenses is another thing I absolutely hate about this firewall.
We cannot - for the life of the tech support - configure this thing to pass an incoming VPN to our server.
 
Hmmm, I've used sonicwall on my previous job, and it work just find for me. I had the pro3060 at corp office and like 18 small version that I cannot remember... It could be the TZW. Follow the manual step by step and you should be able to established VPN link easily. Good Luck...
 
What would you guys suggest if all the co. wants is:

1. Keep the LAN secure from outside intruders/hackers.
2. Have safe Wifi access
3. Enable people to access the LAN via a VPN to the server (on the LAN)

 
3. Enable people to access the LAN via a VPN to the server (on the LAN)
Click to expand...

So you want your file server to sit between two firewalls on its own subnet? Are you just looking for a way to have your out of office users connect to your lan?
 
Originally posted by: blemoine
3. Enable people to access the LAN via a VPN to the server (on the LAN)
Click to expand...

So you want your file server to sit between two firewalls on its own subnet? Are you just looking for a way to have your out of office users connect to your lan?
Click to expand...


No. Just want people on the road to be able to VPN in to the file server/LAN.
 
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