Comparing SOHO Hardware Firewalls Routers
As more and more individuals start their own small home businesses and technology is becoming a major part of these businesses, it is just as important that they are able to secure their network from attacks the same as enterprises-level businesses. According to Whitman & Mattord (2011), one of the most effective methods of improving computer security in the Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) setting is a SOHO firewall, which serves as stateful firewalls that enable inside-to-outside and can be configured to allow limited TCP/IP port forwarding and/or screened subnet capabilities (p. 256). This paper will compare the Watchguard Firebox SOHO 6 and the Sonic Wall, which are both VPN router that offers similar specifications. This paper will compare these SOHO firewall products that function as packet-filtering firewalls that offer combine features, and provides SOHO users the strong protection from the use of Network Address translation (NAT) services.
Watchguard Firebox SOHO 6 verses SonicWall
Watchguard Firebox SOHO 6 is a firewall and VPN router for small business and branch offices that allows the sharing of a single broadband connection, and it is supported by all the leading operating systems. This product includes licenses for 10 users, with an upgrade option for 25 to 50 users.
Small office owner often have very little experience managing their office hardware. Therefore, the Watchguard Firebox SOHO 6 is a good chose for this type of office because it will provide this individual the ease of use and maintenance, because it offers a plug-in-and-play device. Unlike, SonicWall that is not for the unskillful, in order to maintain this firewall product an individual must have skills. The SonicWall offers integrated security applications including auto-enforced Anti-Virus, Content Filtering and firewall security policies, which all must be configured by network administrators in other words, an expert.
Many small office users are jumping on the bandwagon and deciding to go wireless and remote. Both firewall products would be an excellent chose, simply because they offer multiple layers of security that makes wireless deployment safe for small businesses. The Firebox 6 features internet security, secure encrypted logging, encrypted remote management, dynamic Nat, McAfee virusScan, LiveSecurity, along with many other features for VPN users. According to the Hardware Firewall Security Guide, the Firebox 6 also offers integrated DoS Protection and a Stateful Packet Filtering for more flexibility to set up security policies or security rules (p.3).
Both the Watchguard Firebox SOHO 6 and the SonicWall offers maximum firewall throughput of 75 Mbps and VPN throughput of 20 Mbps. However, when comparing the licenses of the two it is found that SonicWall offers a pre-licensed for 10, 25 unlimited users, and unlimited node configurations. Whereas, I find that the license offered by Firebox 6 is modest enough for a small home business that does not require a skilled network administrator. When comparing the prices of the two firewall product the Firebox SOHO 6 was much reasonable for a small home office that wishes to utilize a the firewall wire service at a cheaper price of $240.00 and the wireless service is $420.00. According to Easttom (2006), the SonicWall price ranges from $350 to $700, which one of its disadvantage is it is too pricey for very small business. Conclusion Overall, both SOHO firewall products provide exception technology to secure a SOHO environment. However, it is found that the less complicated a produce is to utilize and maintain would be more beneficial for a small office/home office business. In addition, a small business must be able to purchase a product at a reasonable cost. Although, SonicWall is viewed as the most exceptional product, it is not the easiest to utilized or maintain. In order, to ensure that SonicWall firewall product is configure properly one must have expert knowledge in windows.
Watchguard Firebox SOHO 6 would be a better chose for the small office/home office user, simple because it meet all the qualification addressed by Lamb (2003), who agreed that a SOHO firewall product implemented must be relatively easy to use and maintained, and be cost-effective (p.2). This product provides a plug-in-and-play device, and it does not require one to be an expert to utilize or maintain.
References
Hardware Firewall Security Guide - Chapter - SOHO Hardware Firewalls, 2012. Web. 12 June 2012 < http://soho.hardware-firewall.info/>.
Easttom, C. (2006). Network defense and countermeasures: Principles and practices. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Whitman, M., & Mattord, H. (2011). Principles of Information Security. Cengage Learning.
Lamb, M. (2003). SANS Institute, InfoSec Reading Room. SOHO Firewall Savvy. Retrieved July 9, 2012, from: http://www.sans.org/reading_room/whitepapers/hsoffice/soho-firewall-savvy_893