Juniper To Broaden Integrated Firewall Line

The new product, the Juniper Networks NetScreen-5GT Wireless, combines integrated firewall capabilities with a built-in wireless access point, and enables solution providers to segment customer enterprises into virtual Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs).

The new product was designed specifically for small to medium-size business customers who lack the resources to purchase security and wireless technology separately, said Adam Conway, product line manager for remote office security platforms at Juniper, Sunnyvale, Calif.

"In a single platform, this device lets customers perform segmentation and policy enforcement in a secure wireless environment," he said. "This is a great opportunity for solution providers to provide a top-quality solution in one box instead of two."

Like the traditional NetScreen-5GT, the new wireless appliance will incorporate multiple security functions, including stateful and deep inspection firewall, IPSec VPN, denial-of-service protection, and anti-virus and Web filtering. The box also integrates with other tools in Jupiter's security infrastructure.

Solution providers said that the combination of these features with wireless connectivity could enable them to upsell the wireless 5GT into existing Juniper accounts, and use the technology to attract new customers as well.

"There's a lot of interest out there in securing wireless LAN traffic," said Steve Fuller, president and CTO of Networks Group, Brighton, Mich. "If Juniper can hit the mark, a product that ties into the rest of their security infrastructure would definitely be attractive for us and our customers."

Pricing for the NetScreen-5GT Wireless starts at $770, or $200 more than the ordinary NetScreen-5GT. The product is available now.