FortiGate-500A-HD

These appliances share common functions, but their device-specific characteristics and variations in scalability make like-for-like comparisons difficult. However, in terms of meeting this test’s key requirements – offering a single, easily deployed device to deliver multi-faceted security solutions for smaller and medium-sized firms, the winner of our Best Buy Award, by a small margin, is the Astaro Security Gateway 220. It augments a solid hardware platform with top-class security functionality and, crucially, class-winning ease-of-use. Three units warrant our Recommended award: Sonicwall’s PRO 2040 device combines impressive and comprehensive security functions with a truly suburb management interface; ZyXel’s Zywall 70 is a good, all-round security appliance with excellent documentation and a well-designed management interface; and Fortinet’s very capable FortiGate-500A boasts an excellent wizard-based setup procedure – we are aware of Fortinet’s ongoing patent problems, which it says should be resolved in the near future (see p52), and include this product due to its outstanding technical merits.

Our Best Buy goes to SonicWall SSL VPN 2000. At just £1,575 it is a feature-laden powerhouse that puts small to medium companies on the VPN map.

The Caymas 318 is a solid product for larger organisations that can afford its hefty price tag. For its ease of use and management, as well as its solid feature set and superb support, this product wins our Recommended award.