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Global Technology Associates’ GB-2000X Firewall Appliance
In today’s market, selecting the right firewall can be a complicated. Trade-offs between ease-of-use and flexible configuration options are commonplace. Network administrators must often re-work their network design to implement their selected firewall. Global Technology Associates’ (GTA) most recent release, the GB-2000X Firewall Appliance, is easy to use, allowing administrators to fine tune most components of their configuration using the included standard OS with features you may only get from other firewall vendors in their advanced OS.
GTA has been developing Internet firewalls since 1994, and has established itself as a high quality Internet firewall developer targeting the SME market. This experience and dedication to the SME market is apparent in the mix of hardware and system components of the GB-2000X. The firewall’s heart and soul are a combination of power and flexibility unrivaled in the SME market of firewall products.
The GB-2000X is housed in a sleek, 1-RU appliance with standard, six fast Ethernet ports accessible from the front of the unit. A powerful processor ensures the GB-2000X can handle network traffic quickly and efficiently. Processing is so efficient that it is difficult to detect any difference in throughput when the unit is incorporated into the network. Throughput stays consistent at line speeds through each of the six standard interfaces. GB-OS system software, pre-installed on flash memory, makes system software upgrades easy. The GB-2000X offers expansion options that can accommodate up to four additional interfaces, including gigabit Ethernet, or provide hardware VPN acceleration.
GTA’s longevity in firewall development and SME market focus are readily apparent in GB-OS version 3.7.2, which powers the GB-2000X Firewall Appliance. The included default settings provide a solid basic setup. However, the real power is in the high level of customization available for SME network administrators who wish to fine tune GB-OS features to work with their network implementation. For example, filter policies have fourteen customizable parameters allowing the user to develop a highly selectable, tailored policy.
GTA’s focus on security as the primary function of its products is obvious when reviewing the list of standard features, such as gateway selector, policy-based routing, policy-based NAT, load balancing, multi-WAN load sharing and interface fail-over. Many of these included features are available only in enhanced operating systems from other firewall vendors. GB-OS version 3.7.2, which ships pre-installed on every GB-2000X, is certified to meet ISCA’s stringent 4.1 corporate level criteria.
The GB-2000X features multiple operational modes – NAT, bridging, or routing – which adapt easily to quickly install in most network environments. Dynamic Gateway Architecture provides configuration options for up to six gateways and multiple Internet connections. Data can be routed through specific gateways utilizing policy-based routing with multiple, configurable parameters. Additionally, load balancing is available over all gateways.
One useful and unique feature of the GB-2000X is storing multiple firmware versions on non-volatile memory to provide easy version upgrade and backup security. During an upgrade, GB-OS automatically preserves the last working configuration to a formatted slice in flash memory. Administrators can then test configurations, and if necessary, easily revert to the last working configuration. This feature will be handy when GTA releases its upcoming, next generation GB-OS 4.0.
The GB-2000X includes both basic and enhanced unified threat management features including DoS prevention and alarm notifications, Mail Sentinel Anti-Spam and Anti-Virus subscriptions, and Surf Sentinel content filtering. GB-OS includes a comprehensive set of Denial of Service (DoS) prevention functions. ICSA 4.1 Corporate criteria testing requirements, against which GB-OS version 3.7 was certified, include testing for the prevention of all known DoS attacks. Network administrators can elect to establish criteria for alarm notification should these DoS attacks occur.
To provide the best available threat management, GTA licensed technologies from industry leaders to provide anti-spam (MailShell), anti-virus (Kaspersky Lab) and content filtering services (Surf Control). Mail Sentinel Anti-Virus and Anti-Spam combine to create a solution that provides an extra level of defense with a gateway level solution. The GB-20000X, utilizing Mail Sentinel subscription services, automatically checks for updates to the anti-virus and anti-spam databases multiple times each hour, ensuring maximum protection against email threats. Surf Sentinel Content Filtering increases productivity by limiting access to unproductive sites. With Surf Sentinel, the firewall administrator can choose to implement URL filtering with a custom Allow and Deny URLs lists, create access policies that can apply to users, groups or IP addresses, or block undesired content such as Active X objects or JavaScript. GTA has integrated these best-of-breed services into the GB-2000X perimeter security, allowing the firewall to be the core component in a multi-level security solution by virtually blocking most threats before they reach the network.
Both hardware and system software expansions are available to broaden the scope of the GB-2000X. Hardware expansion options allow the GB-2000X to offer up to ten high speed Ethernet interfaces. Options include a 4-port 10/100 expansion, a 2-port gigabit expansion or a VPN hardware acceleration expansion.
Optional services integrated into GB-OS and easily activated, include H2A – High Availability, Surf Sentinel Content Filtering, Mail Sentinel Anti-Spam, Mail Sentinel Anti-Virus and a variety of support and upgrade contracts.
The GB-2000X is a powerful, flexible Internet security appliance offering advanced firewall functionality and unified threat management features. GTA’s pricing structure makes the product ideal for SME organizations looking for a robust, multi-layered security solution.
Visit Global Technology Asociates - http://www.gta.com
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