Fortigate-3600 Meets Enterprise Needs

The FortiGate-3600 offers a plethora of security services in a rack-mountable unit that is clearly built for speed and performance. Fortinet claims that the product's throughput reaches 4 Gbps, making it suitable for even the largest of networks. What's more, the FortiGate-3600 includes the six elements most vital for network security,firewall, antivirus, VPN, intrusion detection, content filtering and traffic management,into an easily managed, unified administration point.

Combining those features with the FortiGate-3600's impressive throughput gives solution providers a single-vendor solution to meet all of their customers' network security needs. That helps to reduce training and implementation costs while increasing support options. Furthermore, the unit's ASIC-based design and redundant power supplies help to maximize reliability. For sites requiring the utmost in availability, a second FortiGate-3600 can be added to support failover functionality.

Accountability is another benefit stemming from the use of a single-vendor security solution. If a problem does occur, the specter of "finger-pointing" is eliminated. Solution providers often find that in integrated multivendor solutions, any problems that crop up can lead to one vendor blaming the other for a sometimes-unsolvable issue, leaving the solution provider holding the bag.

At $29,995, the FortiGate-3600 is far from inexpensive, but once prospective customers consider what the unit has to offer, sticker shock quickly fades. Solution providers should focus on the fact that the unit has no additional per-seat charges and no user limits. Those considerations mean a great deal when it comes to antivirus and VPN features, as competitors often charge based on user count for each of those features. What's more, the unit's simplified administration and ease of configuration offer long-term savings.

Fortinet offers VAR support via its channel program, which was created in May 2002. Called the FortiPartner Program, Fortinet requires its VARs to achieve a Product Technical Certification, meet annual revenue commitments and support a number of joint marketing activities. The FortiPartner Program is broken down into three levels,Platinum, Gold and Silver,which are based on a solution provider's commitment to Fortinet and approval by a Fortinet regional sales manager. Solution providers committing to the program can enjoy margins as high as 30 percent. Fortinet also provides its partners with marketing funds (either co-op or MDF), a partner Web portal containing tools and information, complimentary sales training, and sales and marketing support personnel.

CRN Test Center engineers connected the FortiGate-3600 to a test network to evaluate the unit's feature set and administration tools. The FortiGate-3600's browser-based configuration makes the initial installation a snap, while the excellent documentation answers almost any question a competent installer may have. Solution providers will find segmenting the network a snap with the unit's six separate Gigabit interfaces, which are well-labeled and sport diagnostic LEDs.

The unit's administrative interface is straightforward and offers a help function. The interface is quite easy to navigate and is segmented into the unit's six primary functions, all of which are defined by intuitive separate icons. The interface's submenus follow form and are also easy to understand and navigate.

The FortiGate-3600 automates much of the security process. When viruses are encountered, the unit automatically deals with them and informs the recipient. The same can be said for other security elements, as the administrator is informed of security problems as opposed to an end user, except when necessary.

Automatic updates are also part of the package. Installers can define a schedule of when the FortiGate-3600 automatically contacts the Fortinet support Web site and downloads the latest virus signatures and content-filtering lists. That feature helps to keep the unit at its prime capability for combating problems and should be scheduled to occur as often as feasible, perhaps several times a day.

Solution providers will find the FortiGate-3600 an excellent solution for dealing with today's security threats. All of the main security areas are well-represented by the unit, and ROI can easily be demonstrated by the unit's feature set and robust support options. Arguably, the only downside to the unit is the initial high cost and the trend to move away from a multilayered security solution, but that is true of most any appliance-based solution.

The FortiGate-3600 offers the speed, performance and other features desired by enterprises of any size, while easing both administrative and support burdens. Solution providers can benefit from high margins and added revenue opportunities for installation, support and training associated with the unit.

CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS
>FORTIGATE-3600

COMPANY: Fortinet
Sunnyvale, Calif.
(408) 235-7700
www.fortinet.com
DISTRIBUTORS: Alternative Technologies, Westcon
TECH RATING:

CHANNEL RATING:

Note: Vendors can earn up to five stars for technical merit and five for their channel program. If the average of these two scores is four stars or greater, the product earns CRN Test Center Recommended status.