TABLE OF CONTENTS It hasn t been easy, trying to do our part to introduce ISA Server to the IT security community. Once we get past the basic question mentioned in Chapter 1 ( Is ISA Server really a firewall? ), the next thing potential users want to know is inevitably, How does ISA Server compare to other firewalls?
Often, the question comes as a challenge from CheckPoint or PIX aficionados. Other times it comes from new or experienced network administrators who have been tasked with the responsibility of selecting or recommending a firewall solution for their companies and who are confused and overwhelmed by the plethora of marketing material, claims of firewall vendors, and kudos or complaints they hear from other firewall users.
In order to intelligently answer the question, we ve had to become acquainted not only with ISA Server 2004 itself, but with the features and pricing/licensing structures of competing products. This chapter is designed to serve three main purposes:
Provide answers to some common questions for readers who are responsible for selecting a firewall and/or caching product for their networks.
Provide a rational basis for selecting ISA Server 2004 that is predicated on evidence and fact, rather than bias.
Provide ammunition for readers who already know they want to implement ISA Server 2004 on their networks and need to convince their companies management.
If you take a look at the product lines of most of the major firewall appliance vendors, you ll find several different models, not to mention a variety...
