It's for firewalls and content filtering. It performs pretty much faultlessly for us.
Lead Technical Consultant at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Provides us with the content filtering and sandboxing we need
Pros and Cons
- "Content Filtering and sandboxing are valuable features."
- "The only thing that we would want would be single-pane management, which it has, but the GMS is not very good. It's purely the management of multiple devices for multiple customers, that's the only thing that it's lacking."
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
It does what it says it will do; it works and it's pretty reliable.
What is most valuable?
- Content Filtering
- Sandboxing
What needs improvement?
The only thing that we would want would be single-pane management, which it has, but the GMS is not very good. It's purely the management of multiple devices for multiple customers, that's the only thing that it's lacking.
Buyer's Guide
SonicWall NSa
October 2024
Learn what your peers think about SonicWall NSa. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: October 2024.
814,649 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It's very sclable.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is very, very good.
How was the initial setup?
The setup is straightforward. I'm a fully-certified SonicWall engineer. I have had all the training.
What other advice do I have?
It does everything that they say it does. It works.
The most important factors when choosing a new solution are
- price
- functionality
- security of the device.
I would rate SonicWall a 10 out of 10. It's the only firewall that we predominantly use for our customers.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Consultant at Techmail
Valuable features include the web filter, DHCP, and monitoring capabilities
Pros and Cons
- "Valuable features include a web filter, DHCP, and monitoring capabilities."
- "It is very modular and with native resources which are much lower than its competitors."
What is our primary use case?
Our network has 150 users. We have two internet connections, an IPsec VPN, a DHCP server, a DMZ, WiFi, access controls and a load balancer, and two appliances with HA.
How has it helped my organization?
It is a good product, but very modular and with native resources which are much lower than its competitors.
What is most valuable?
- Web filter
- DHCP
- Monitoring capabilities
- IPsec VPN and other security controls
- Integration with the active directory and other security controls (IPS and IDS).
What needs improvement?
- Load balance algorithms
- Resource usage graphs (throughput, connections, external accesses, and the possibility to export the content of the address object).
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Additional resources are too expensive.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
SonicWall NSa
October 2024
Learn what your peers think about SonicWall NSa. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: October 2024.
814,649 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Presales Manager
Valuable features include SSL VPN and Application Control.
What is most valuable?
- SSL VPN & Application Control
- SSL VPN is important since several people are mobile and need files to access the server in the office. This is convenient, since they don’t need to go back to the office just use the SSL VPN.
- Application control is important to limit the users in the office from consuming bandwidth such as downloads by torrent and games. This also protects us from malicious applications such as anonymous proxy.
How has it helped my organization?
- Creating site to site VPN for HQ
- Branch via satellite connection for the branch
What needs improvement?
Access management port: This needs improving by SonicWall firmware.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using the solution for three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We did not encounter any issues with stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We had a scalability issue.
How are customer service and technical support?
Level-3 technical support is good.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We switched because of stability issues when turning on the UTM feature.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was simple.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Pricing and licensing are competitive for this product.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
What other advice do I have?
If you looking for a simple site-to-site VPN, stable UTM feature, and easy SSL VPN setup, then this solution is OK.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
ICT Consultant at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
A stable and easily installable solution with good configurations, interfaces and user guides
Pros and Cons
- "I like the solution's configuration, interfaces, and user guides."
- "I would like to see better integration."
What is our primary use case?
Used as our Firewall and internet Gateway in our head office and branch office with site to site VPN configured
How has it helped my organization?
Improved our corporate security. we have bandwidth management configured, enable app control
What is most valuable?
I like the solution's configuration, interfaces, and user guides.
What needs improvement?
I would like to see better integration, the easy of bandwidth monitoring.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using SonicWall NSa for six years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable. We have not had any issues in this domain.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Good
How are customer service and technical support?
I do have experience with technical support. The last time I interacted with them was fine. They handled and resolved my case.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
The only other solution I have used is Cisco, although not as extensively as SonicWall NSa. This makes it difficult for me to compare solutions.
How was the initial setup?
The solution is easy to install.
What about the implementation team?
In-house
What was our ROI?
more than 85%
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Cisco, FortiGate
What other advice do I have?
I do recommend the solution, although I have not compared it with other ones.
There are as many as 50 users making use of the solution in my network or gateways.
I rate SonicWall NSa as a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
IT Manager at a manufacturing company with 51-200 employees
Reasonably-priced and works well, but the VPN needs to be improved
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features are that it is reasonably-priced and works well."
- "I would like U.S.-based technical support."
What is our primary use case?
We have been using the SonicWall NSA firewall to keep our network safe.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features are that it is reasonably-priced and works well.
What needs improvement?
Over time, this solution is becoming more complicated, and when I need support it often is not available. I would like U.S.-based technical support.
VPN functionality needs to be improved. As it is now, I need to combine another SSL VPN with my firewall. I want it to be done very easily.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using SonicWall for fifteen years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of SonicWall is fine.
What about the implementation team?
I have had SonicWall for a really long time and I have had people help me to set it up, although I have always understood what has been done. As it has been updated, it has become more involved and more complicated, and things have moved around so I have to spend time finding where things are in the newer versions.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I have been looking at Fortinet and am learning toward it to replace our SonicWall. The main reason that I am switching is that we need something with a built-in VPN.
From what I have learned to so, Fortinet is more expensive but easier to manage.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this solution a seven out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Network Systems Specialist at a educational organization with 1,001-5,000 employees
We switched to a UTM to have a comprehensive security solution and one interface to manage it
What is most valuable?
Because this is a UTM, we appreciate having a single pane of glass for a firewall, content filtering, and IPS/IDS services. It is much easier to manage and costs less.
How has it helped my organization?
In a K-12 environment, internet security is paramount and threats change quickly.
The main improvement for the organization is uptime and the ability to quickly affect security changes.
The second plus is the ability to improve throughput during peak traffic hours.
What needs improvement?
SonicWall uses a cloud-based database for content filtering. If the NSA cannot contact that online DB, filtering is handled one of two ways. Traffic is either halted completely or it is passed-through totally unfiltered.
In a K-12 school environment, neither is acceptable. It would be better if the DB can reside on the NSA and is used in the event the online DB is unavailable. Other than that, it works fine.
For how long have I used the solution?
This product has been online for over four years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
On two occasions, we had a 10GB SFP failure. But because we have an HA configuration there was no disruption. 10 GB SFPs seem to be fragile. Other than that, the system is quite stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
None.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support has been very good, the few times we've needed it.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
A Cisco ASA 5500 was used prior to the NSA 6600. We switched to a UTM to have a comprehensive security solution and one interface to manage it.
How was the initial setup?
Initial setup was complex. But that was expected when migrating from three separate security systems into one unified system. There was a basic template for converting some Cisco's ASA command line instructions to those used by SonicOS. Most of the configuration had to be developed or cleaned up in the SonicOS GUI.
ASA has a much better CLI, especially if you’re used to Cisco IOS. SonicOS CLI is mostly used by tech support.
Initially, it was a bit of a learning curve, but the SonicOS GUI is efficient and easy to use, enough for our needs, anyway. Once network and firewall rules (80% of the complexity) were configured, content filtering, IDS/IPS and other security services were enabled with check boxes.
What about the implementation team?
I recommend a 30-day test run in monitor mode. If you decide on this product, spend the extra dollars and get a second unit to setup an HA system. No down time during SonicOS upgrades or major configuration changes.
If you expect to operate at 10GB, keep one or two extra 10GB SFPs as spares, even though they are not cheap.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The NSA series has several suites available depending on your security needs. Pricing and licensing is straightforward based on the suite you choose.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We considered upgrading the ASA to include the IPS module and adding a second unit for HA.
We also considered PaloAlto but at the time considered it too pricey for our needs. As for as an online evaluation, we did not do that. Time and rack space constraints prevented it.
However, a trusted VAR (more than 12 years) helped to ease our decision to go with the SonicWall.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Director Information Systems at a transportation company with 51-200 employees
We bought this device for Security and to filter traffic on our network.
What is most valuable?
Security and Filtering. We bought this device for security and to filter traffic on our network -- these features are working fine.
I think these are the most important features for anyone who is interested in UTM.
How has it helped my organization?
Security and Filtering.
What needs improvement?
Firmware. Sometimes the integrated certificates get expired and you need to contact support to get these certificates updated on your device -- to let all the services work properly.
For how long have I used the solution?
Three to four years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I didn't encounter any issues with stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I don't know because we are not using >30% resources of this device.
How are customer service and technical support?
Good.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
This is our first time choosing a UTM.
How was the initial setup?
Complex in Configuring DUAL WAN and VPN Connections because of Routing Config.
What about the implementation team?
If you need DUAL WAN and VPN Config, you need a network professional to set it up.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It's expensive but has worth.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Fortinet, Dreytek.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
NOC Manager at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Reliable, good intrusion detection and protection, and has responsive support
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features of this solution are intrusion detection, intrusion prevention, and the advanced capture client, which provides live traffic analysis."
- "It only has a single power interface, which has limitations in terms of high availability."
What is our primary use case?
We use SonicWall NSA for IDS, IPS, Intrusion detection, and intrusion protection.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features of this solution are intrusion detection, intrusion prevention, and the advanced capture client, which provides live traffic analysis.
What needs improvement?
Currently, the only issue that has been experienced is with expansion.
The model that we are using cannot expand very well, and the firewall is not able to handle all of them.
They could add some more features.
The current version does not have a duo power interface. It only has a single power interface, which has limitations in terms of high availability. Duo Power is a good feature to have.
The interface is an area that can be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
We acquired it in 2017. We have been using SonicWall NSA for four years.
We are using NSA 6600.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
SonicWall NSA has been very reliable, mainly because of the ATP Capture Client and the IDS and IPS.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of SonicWall NSA is good.
How are customer service and technical support?
We have regular contact with technical support.
When we send a support ticket, they respond to us within the day and resolve the issue.
They have a good response time.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We purchase the license on a yearly basis.
They do have the option to purchase yearly, or two years, and three years of renewal.
I believe the pricing is reasonable. There are some competitors that offer more features but are more expensive.
For organizations and small businesses should choose SonicWall.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend the solution to others who are at an enterprise level.
With the features that are offered such as IDS, IPS, and ATP Capture Client, SonicWall is a bit higher than the average firewall.
I would rate SonicWall NSA an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
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Updated: October 2024
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