Review: Secure 'Access Anywhere

VARs will find that offering both wireless solutions and associated security technologies can fuel security services sales and build on-going revenue opportunities.

So how does a VAR build a secure wireless practice? The simplest answer is to start with an integrated security appliance that offers wireless access capabilities, such as the SonicWall TZ 190 Wireless, which combines a router, firewall, wireless access point and VPN into a single unit that also offers broadband 3G wireless connectivity. While initially designed for branch offices, the product's robust feature set and customizable services also make it ideal for the small and midsize enterprise market. What's more, by combining wireless broadband with Wi-Fi access, the product can become an instant secure hot spot for businesses with locations off the wired Internet grid.

VARs will appreciate the extensive list of options and security services available with the TZ 190 Wireless. Out of the box, SonicWall offers a deep packet inspection firewall (with SPI), VPN capabilities, WAN failover support, policy-based NAT and port-level security. The unit also includes gateway antivirus, antispyware and intrusion-prevention services with one year of updates. Channel partners can sell additional years of support, as well as additional security services that integrate into the unit.

Solution providers will find initial setup and configuration of the unit straightforward, thanks in part to SonicWall's configuration wizards and the included documentation. As VARs add features such as integrated authentication or content filtering, setup does become more complex and requires a professional's touch, which is good news for partners.

Next: The Bottom Line