The ZyXEL ZyWALL SSL 10 is an appliance-based offering. The appliance we tested was a smaller unit designed for 10 concurrent users. Despite the size of the unit, it offered many of the features the larger units did. The product is primarily a Java- and XML web browser-based application. The ZyWALL SSL 10 also includes a stateful inspection (SPI) firewall and a network address translation feature. The unit ships with four LAN Ethernet interfaces and one WAN connection. However, each LAN connection is based on a single LAN IP, and each interface cannot be addressed individually.
The WAN interface provides options for DHCP and PPPOE, as well as a statically configured IP address. These features make the ZyWALL appropriate for use in small- to mid-sized environments.
The installation of the ZyWALL is about average in terms of difficulty. The ZyWALL is configured primarily though a web administration interface. The interface is pretty well laid out and logical, but not as simple as it could be. The unit ships with an IP address already assigned to the device and this requires the administrator to change the IP address of the machine before starting the initial configuration.
Once the IP addresses are set and the unit is installed, the rest of the configuration takes place in the web-based GUI. The configuration seems simple enough, and building the portal for applications and websites is simple. However, at this point in the configuration our test unit locked up and needed to be rebooted. Then we had trouble with the client connection The ZyWALL arrives with a quick start guide. Additional manuals are included as PDFs.
Support is offered through phone, and is free for the life of the product.
The pricing for the ZyWall is under $300. Even with the configuration and performance difficulties we experienced, for the small enterprise this is an excellent value.
The WAN interface provides options for DHCP and PPPOE, as well as a statically configured IP address. These features make the ZyWALL appropriate for use in small- to mid-sized environments.
The installation of the ZyWALL is about average in terms of difficulty. The ZyWALL is configured primarily though a web administration interface. The interface is pretty well laid out and logical, but not as simple as it could be. The unit ships with an IP address already assigned to the device and this requires the administrator to change the IP address of the machine before starting the initial configuration.
Once the IP addresses are set and the unit is installed, the rest of the configuration takes place in the web-based GUI. The configuration seems simple enough, and building the portal for applications and websites is simple. However, at this point in the configuration our test unit locked up and needed to be rebooted. Then we had trouble with the client connection The ZyWALL arrives with a quick start guide. Additional manuals are included as PDFs.
Support is offered through phone, and is free for the life of the product.
The pricing for the ZyWall is under $300. Even with the configuration and performance difficulties we experienced, for the small enterprise this is an excellent value.
