Love the new Cisco ASA!

I just installed my first Cisco ASA Firewall, and me likey! It is so cool. I got the Security Plus Edition of the ASA 5505. It has support for up to 20 VLAN’s, DMZ, etc. It has 8 ports, 2 of which are Power over Ethernet ports to power other devices. The command line interface is a little different from the PIX, but very similar. The new PIX OS is actually more like the IOS deployed on Cisco Routers. This is an effort to make the Cisco platforms more uniform. The ASA also features SSL VPN which uses active x to install a virtual adapter on the client PC. This is more convenient than the Cisco VPN client. The biggest enhancement with the ASA is the application layer firewall. The ASA allows for additional security modules that perform Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, and Intrusion Detection. The Anti-X module utilizes Trend Micro Virus Definitions for appliances. The ASA also allows for a backup ISP to be connected on a second WAN port. This is not the same as Failover, but instead offers a cost effective way to implement Internet connection redundancy without purchasing 2 firewalls. Performance is outstanding; the firewall operates very efficiently, and is very stable. Throughput on the ASA 5505 has been 2x the replaced PIX 501. Overall, I have been extremely pleased with the Cisco ASA. I would recommend anyone to upgrade to the new Cisco ASA line of firewalls. You will not regret it.

Save the Internet

Do you know anything about Net Neutrality? I’ve been following it for awhile. There’s a link on my website for more info, and a petition to sign under Save the Internet.

http://acta-solutions.com

Basically, we are trying to prevent Telecom and Cable companies from charging a premium for access to certain websites and download traffic. Comcast is among the leaders of the opposition. For years, they have been leveraging their Bandwidth at the customer’s expense. They are using the theory that not all users are actively downloading content. With the advent of Video On Demand and Bittorrent, these companies are no longer able to “cheat” the customers by robbing Bandwidth from your neighbor. Comcast wants to charge extra for this Bandwidth, even though we’ve been paying for an agreed upon amount of Bandwidth for years. Instead of using the money these past 8 years to upgrade Infrastructure to address the problems we are facing today, executives lined their pockets. Thus, Comcast starts lobbying to change the billing structure of the Internet. It’s downright criminal, but check it out for yourself.

L8r,

Dave