“inside” and “DMZ”) will connect to your internal networks. Although this article will concentrate on the 55 models the basic feature set is in fact fairly consistent across the range, the main differences being in the maximum traffic throughput handled by each model and the number/type of interfaces.Īt the most basic level the ASA is a transparent or routed firewall/NAT device, this means it is designed to sit between your LAN and the Internet one interface (normally known as “outside”) will be connected to your Internet access device and one or more interfaces (e.g.
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There are six main models in the ASA range, from the basic 5505 branch office model up to the 5580 datacenter versions a full comparison is available on the Cisco website here. The latest ASA version is now 8.2 and ASDM is on version 6.1: Fortunately they started from scratch with the ASA and designed the ASDM (Adaptive Security Device Manager), again a Java based management console but this time one that allows you to do virtually all the configuration without having to resort to a text editor. In fact the ASA range started life running PIX7.0 and only diversified with the release of version ASA8.0 which moved back in line with the main Cisco IOS by using their customized Linux based kernel.įor users from a Unix background this makes Cisco devices’ use of text files for all configuration settings reassuringly familiar but for those from a Windows background it can seem impossibly complex. Cisco attempted to address this first with the PIX by introducing the PIX Device Manager, a Java based GUI front-end for the PIX OS, however a frustrating number of bugs tended to drive admins back to the command line for any advanced configuration. The original release versions of the ASA officially combined the separate firewall, VPN and IPS (Intrusion Prevention Systems) functionality of several Cisco devices, although the current PIX OS at the time (version 7.x) supported all these features. Although the Cisco ASA range was launched in 2005 and aligned as a replacement for the PIX range Cisco users tend to resist change and so ASAs have only started to become widespread in the last couple of years.
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They were finally discontinued in 2008, their longevity was mainly down to their use of the PIX OS which enabled new features to be provided via firmware upgrade without the need for major hardware updates. The Cisco PIX range of firewall/NAT devices was originally launched in 1995 but the models most readers are likely to encounter are the 501, 506 and 515 which were launched in 2002. There are plenty of alternative vendors providing firewall solutions with many similar features and at a lower price but the industry standard is still Cisco. There used to be a saying in the IT industry that “you wouldn’t get sacked for buying IBM” whilst that may be somewhat dated the same could be said for Cisco equipment nowadays.