REVIEW: GNAT Box Firewall - Fired up for GNAT Box

Firewalls have become big business over the last couple of years.

As more companies start using the internet, the need for effective protection against unwanted incursion has become paramount. However, the size and scope of firewalls varies considerably: too many are aimed at larger networks, with a price tag to match.

Also, many firewalls are an absolute pig to set up. The amount of configuration is so great there is a high chance of making mistakes. Feeling secure behind a firewall that is anything but secure is a recipe for disaster.

So it is refreshing to come across a firewall that is both relatively cheap and incredibly easy to configure. GTA's GNAT Box Firewall was a joy to review: it took minutes to set up, and its simplicity gives a greater sense of confidence in your security than firewalls that take hours to configure.

The other great benefit of the GNAT Box is that it effectively comes with its own OS - derived from Unix - that is as comfortable in Windows 95 as it is in Unix.

The GNAT Box sits between your internal (protected) network and the external network, be that the internet, an intranet or an extranet, and successfully hides the IP structure of your network from unauthorised prying eyes.

You can also create a demilitarised zone to bar external users accessing parts of the network.

Documentation is of a high standard; after a very well-written explanation of firewalls and the technology behind them, the manual takes a step-by-step look at installing and configuring the GNAT Box.

Overall, the GNAT Box is one of the simplest firewalls we have come across, offering the versatility of working with all operating systems, the ability to support more than 16,000 concurrent sessions, and very easy installation.

Definitely worth a look if you are considering your network security - and you should be.

FAST FACTS

What is it? GNAT Box Firewall

Function: Internet firewall

Pros: Competitive price, easy configuration.

Cons: Text-based set-up as alternative to web-based management.

Availability: GTA:

(01903) 205151

Price: #995.