Sonicwall TZ 170-25 Internet Security Appliance

Average customer rating: 2.0

Nice product with 1 huge flaw

Similar Items:

Sonicwall 01-SSC-5555 100Mbps Ethernet Firewall

Sonicwall TZ 170-25 Internet Security Appliance

Manufacturer: Sonic Systems, Inc.
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B0000TN008

Related Categories:

Audio & Video Accessories

Network Security

Product Description

Networking technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, making it difficult to keep up with the latest innovations. Providing rock-solid security is even more challenging, especially for small businesses and networks administrators with limited IT resources. Deploying and managing a complex network security product simply isn't an option. You need a reliable, flexible, easy-to-use solution that delivers business-class security at a price that won't break your budget.The SonicWALL TZ 170 is the ultimate total security platform for home, small, remote and branch office deployments. With integrated support for SonicWALL's Gateway Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware and Intrusion Prevention Service, the TZ 170 delivers real-time protection against viruses, spyware, worms, Trojans and other malicious threats. The TZ 170 also combines built-in anti-spam protection and support for SonicWALL's Content Filtering Service to provide enhanced productivity and network utilization. Available in multiple node configurations, the TZ 170 scales to protect your investment as your organization grows, allowing you to add features and functionality when your network needs them.Utilizing SonicWALL's feature-rich SonicOS operating system, the TZ 170 offers a choice between absolute ease-of-use for basic networks and unsurpassed flexibility for networks with more complex needs. SonicOS Standard, included with every TZ 170, allows rapid deployment in basic networks with a user-friendly Web interface and powerful wizards. Building upon SonicOS Standard, SonicOS Enhanced is an optional software upgrade that provides advanced features including WAN ISP Failover, Secure Wireless LAN capabilities (with SonicPoints), Object-based Management and Policy-based NAT for more complex network installations.

Customer Reviews:

Nice product with 1 huge flaw.......2005-06-03

This review is for firmware v3102-Standard_OS of this device. Keep in mind that this product offers many optional services and upgrades which can significantly increase the functionality and price.

The TZ170 has a nice, easy-to-navigate web-mgmt interface. It strikes me as a polished, quality OS. Overall features are consistent with Linksys and Netgear models costing about half as much. The unit I tested got very hot on the bottom-center, so use in a well-cooled area. The case is plastic, but well-made.

Now the flaw: this unit, like many similar models, allows you to create access-rules to permit traffic (usually incoming) on certain ports. There is a long list of pre-defined services and you can create custom-services also. Each service has a check-box for "Enable logging", so it would seem all you need to do is check the corresponding log-category and you're good to go - NOPE. It turns out that the unit will only log dropped packets , or as the admin guide says, "blocked connections". I spent a long call to Sonicwall tech support, during which time the rep went and talked to his manager, to confirm this lack of functionality.

This means, for the power-user or admin who wants their daily log-email to show the previous night's successful PPTP or Remote-Desktop pass-through connections, they are out of luck. Some shops will not care, but as most of the entry-level firewalls I am familiar with have this functionality, I was shocked to find out this unit could not do it.

If you do not need pass-through logging, this unit is worth considering.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics