Comparing the FortiGate 60F to Other SDWan Solutions

Application security, network access control, internal usage management, and other aspects of network security are all growing more critical every day. Because your firewalls are the first line of defense between your external and internal networks, having the best infrastructure in your network is essential. 

Next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) offer improved throughput, improved performance, seamless security, and easy configuration and maintenance. Today, we’ll look at the Cisco ASA Next-Generation Firewall and the Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall. On a performance and cost basis, you’ll notice that one definitely dominates the other. We also go through ten particular things to look for when selecting your next firewall!

Overview of FortiGate 

Advanced routing capabilities (RIP, OSPF, BGP, and PBR) make integration into a big network easy and uncomplicated. FortiGate Secure SD-WAN delivers a security-driven networking WAN edge transformation by combining best-of-breed next-generation firewall protection, SD-WAN, sophisticated routing, and WAN optimization features. The CLI is stable and strong, allowing for quick and consistent modifications through SSH. The device identification is adaptable, allowing for the implementation of rules to control all types of devices that may appear on a network, particularly via Wi-Fi. IPsec tunnels are simple to set up and work with devices from a variety of manufacturers.

The most important features concentrate on improving network security while defending against external attacks. You may categorize individuals and create groups that have access to different network limitations using the FortiGate security capabilities. This provides detailed reporting and analytics based on data from specific network events such as traffic location, device, IP address, and more. Another feature is Virtual Domain (VDOM), which allows clients to have several firewalls on a single campus.

FortiGate with ASA Compatibility 

The majority of users are unaware of the ASA’s functionality and capabilities, making it difficult to utilize. Those that turn to the ASA are looking for a one-product, one-box solution and are having difficulty finding one. For both firewalls, we’ll look at configuration features and web filtering. We’ve heard that the ASA product line could need a faster operating system, a cleaner interface, a more thorough reporting structure, and improved throughput, among other things. Cisco ASA and Fortinet FortiGate security both offer complete visibility and powerful layer 7 security, including threat protection, intrusion prevention, web filtering, and application management.

10 particular features that put the ASA up against Fortinet’s FortiGate.

Licensing.

• ASA: Cisco offers a large number of license options to choose from, which might be perplexing. Licensing, on the other hand, does not add as you go (e.g if you have 25 VPN peers and want 25 more, you have to purchase a new license for 50 VPN rather than adding 25) 
• FortiGate: Is simple to use, with two license options: VDOM and FortiClients.

Blackhole Routes

• ASA: Null0 routing provides access to blackhole routes. 
• Null-interface routes are supporting by FortiGate for blackhole routes.

FortiGate VDOM vs. Cisco Context 

• ASA Context: This is a very limiting context with only 3-4 options. There are 0 available on the ASA 5505. Context in ASA does not allow any remote-access VPNs or dynamic routing protocols, although you may use OSPF or EIGRP in multi-context mode (IPv4). 
• VDOM for FortiGate: All open routing protocols allow a minimum of 10 virtual domains (VDOM) (RIP, OSPF, BGP). Enabling VDOMs does not require a reboot, which saves time. Because all interfaces are included in the VDOM root by default, activating VDOM support does not result in the loss of any interfaces, policies, or configurations. All you need is one configuration file with no separations for the distinct VDOMs if you’re migrating from VDOM-less to VDOM-concept.

Support for IPv6 

• ASA: New to the lineup, with system upgrades required. 
• FortiGate: IPv6 is enabled, and OSPFv3 authentication is supported with FortiOS 6.2.0.

FW Regulations 

• ASA: When there is no alternative way to reach the ingress/egress interface, an ACL is employed. Cisco prevents duplication by preventing the use of several access-list lines with a single access-list. 
• Similar to Juniper, FortiGate policies are creating between ‘zone-to-zone’ or ‘interface-to-interface’. Without notice, duplicates might be install. This has made it difficult to audit policies since the record is difficult to locate and monitor.

Detection of Intruders 

• ASA: Supports custom rules, however due to the restricted amount of rules, it is not user-friendly. The ASA requires a separate IDS engine or card with licensing limitations that is controlled independently. 
• Custom rules are also supporting by FortiGate. It auto-updates virtually every day, which is a plus. IDS protection is built into the hardware of the device and does not require an add-on card/module or extra license.

Remote Management 

• Both units have the ability to use the same management protocols. The FortiGate from Fortinet lets you alter SSH/Telnet ports and limit access to a single user. Failed logins are protecting by a fail-login delay block, which prevents brute-force attacks or abuse.

Exporting Flow Data 

• ASA: Netflow v9, however specific collectors, aside from most router exports, have concerns. 
• With FortiOS 5.2 and above, Sflow and Netflow are supported by FortiGate. 

VPN Restrictions No. 9 

• ASA: Clientless VRS, client SSL VPN, IPsec, and l2tp-IPsec are all licencing models that limit the amount of peers regardless of type. 
• FortiGate: Verify VPN numbers by looking at the hardware chassis model; some may be restrict. 

Inspection and Processing of Traffic 

• ASA: An ACL entry is require only for traffic migrating from a lower to a higher security level. 
• FortiGate: All traffic moving between interfaces necessitates the use of a firewall. Policy

Choosing the Most Secure Option

Cisco’s ASA and Fortinet’s FortiGate have been scheduled. In this comparison, Fortinet delivers a firewall with more capacity and performance. This raises the bar, and the mid-range firewalls fail to deliver the same remarkable capacity and good performance. Even entry-level firewalls from Fortinet outperform those from the other two vendors.

Learn more about FortiGate 60F 

Explore more interesting articles at infopostings