SonicWall Expands SMB Offerings

The new products, unveiled sporadically over the past few weeks, incorporate wired and wireless technology to provide perimeter security for less than $1,000.

"Businesses of all sizes are in need of robust and affordable layered security platforms," said CEO Matthew Medeiros. "SonicWall recognizes that smaller organizations are as vulnerable to security threats as large enterprises [are], and we have brought powerful security solutions within everyone's reach."

Specifically, the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based vendor introduced three additions to the TZ170 line: the TZ170 SP, TZ170 Wireless, and TZ170 SP Wireless. All of the new products integrate deep-packet inspection firewalls, intrusion prevention, content filtering, gateway-enforced antivirus and IPSec VPN.

Beyond that, the wireless models also include 802.11b/g wireless LAN features, while the SP models add an integrated analog modem with automatic failover and failback technology.

Among solution providers, hopes for the new products were high. Todd Barrett, manager of security and networking at CPU Sales and Service, Waltham, Mass., said he expected the devices to make an "immediate" impact on his bottom line.

"With any one of these simple, inexpensive appliances, I can tell my customers that I'll distribute up to three wireless access points their perimeters and give it to them securely," he said. "That's a big statement for a small-business owner to hear."

Pricing for the appliances starts at $695 for the TZ170 SP, and ranges up to $895 for the TZ170 Wireless. Both of these products are available now; the TZ170 SP Wireless will be available for an undetermined price by the end of August.