This is meant for SMBs and remote offices. It has eight 100 Mbps ports and a
two line display where you can get basic network information. It doesn't provide
browser based management, like most other UTMs in the shootout. For managing the
device, you need to have a software installed on your system. Even for accessing
the UTM remotely, you need to have the software.
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This method of accessing the device is more secure than that of browser-based
management. We found configuring this device quite complex as compared to other
UTMs in the shootout. It provides a scalability option that is a bit different
from others. Suppose you have Firebox X750e and your requirement exceeds the
next day, then the same device can be upgraded to X1250e by just upgrading the
firmware (hardware is same in both boxes). And suppose you need to upgrade your
'e series' of UTMs to 'p series' Fireboxes, then you do not have to reconfigure
the box.
The old 'e series' configuration can be upload to a 'p series' box and you
have 'p series' box configured with same policies that you had earlier.
The box performed above average compared to others in its class. Initially we
tested anti-virus capabilities of this box.
This box blocked mostly all latest viruses, but was unable to block old
viruses; which included zipped and macro viruses.
Then we tested its anti-spam capability, for which we downloaded 1000 spam
from our mail server. It was able to detect 83% of spam, which is quite good.
Like other UTMs, we also tried to jam its port, but its ports could not be
jammed. there was also no degradation in performance. Next we ran Arpspoof from
its internal network, but the device failed to detect it. We also ran port scan
and DOS attack from its external network which it detected.
Bottomline: A good security watchguard, which can be upgraded to meet
future needs.