Software Server firewall recommendations? Something like ISA

[pollardhimself]

I am looking for something like ISA but better. I absolutely hate ISA its a pan in the ass

 

[theevilsharpie]

I am looking for something like ISA but better.

Having followed some of your other threads, I think the best use of your IT budget is to hire a consultant that knows what he's doing.

 

[Nothinman]

And I'd say that ISA is pretty much the bottom of the barrel, so virtually anything will be better.

 

[pollardhimself]

And I'd say that ISA is pretty much the bottom of the barrel, so virtually anything will be better.

Point taken!

Having followed some of your other threads, I think the best use of your IT budget is to hire a consultant that knows what he's doing.

ah ill get threw it. I recently just finished a Microsoft class 6421A "Configuring and troubleshooting a windows server 2008 network infrastructure". I feel pretty comfortable with it now. Ive got everything install and working now i am about done

 

[Nothinman]

ah ill get threw it.

No doubt, it's not that hard to just poke and hope and get something that works. But to make something that works well is another story and whoever has to take over this network after you may not be very happy. =)

 

[arch113]

I am looking for something like ISA but better. I absolutely hate ISA its a pan in the ass

ASTARO
pfSense

 

[Nothinman]

We generally put Cisco ASAs on all of our client networks. But if you're looking for proxy functionality as well they won't cover that.

 

[Emulex]

squid is a great proxy. forward and reverse - runs on *nix. many *nix firewalls come with it. the caching can be tweaked to be very aggresive

 

[compbuilder00]

ASTARO
pfSense

I love my PFsense box, its rock solid. Good option to look at.

 

[RebateMonger]

And I'd say that ISA is pretty much the bottom of the barrel, so virtually anything will be better.

Can you provide any more details on why you say that?

 

[Nothinman]

Can you provide any more details on why you say that?

I've used it and that's all the proof that I needed.

 

[RebateMonger]

I've used it and that's all the proof that I needed.

Sorry. I wasn't trying to sell you a copy. I was curious why you have the opinion you do. User interface? Features? Security?

I used to use a LOT of ISA Server because it was basically "free" to my clients. It has a ton of features, but I found it very difficult to learn. I basically took a year reading books on it, taking tests, and trying to figure it all out. I can't say that I was 100% successful.

It's not free anymore (well, its Forefront equivalent), so I doubt I'll be doing any installs except on my own servers.