Fortinet boosts security platforms

New Fortinet gear speeds its multifunction security platforms with the help of a custom network processor.

The two new devices, the FortiGate 3810A and FortiGate 3016B, are based on fresh versions of the company’s custom network processors called FortiASIC, as well as its existing FortiASIC content processor. In combination, these chips support 26Gbps firewall throughput.

These new devices are designed for data-center protection and can also be placed at the perimeter off corporate networks.

FortiGate devices support firewalls, VPN, antivirus, intrusion prevention, Web filtering, and antispam software. They also support encryption and traffic shaping. All of these are home-grown Fortinet security applications.

These applications are a big distinguishing factor between Fortinet gear and that of its competitor Crossbeam, whose hardware is designed to support security applications made by third-party vendors that run on separate application blades.

IDC analyst Charles Kolodgy says this difference defines the single vendor vs. best-of-breed argument for this type of device, which IDC classifies under the category of unified threat management.

The FortiGate 3016B has 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports built into the chassis, and has a single Advanced Mezzanine Card (AMC) slot to add a four-port Gigabit Ethernet card or an 80G Byte hard-drive module.

The FortiGate 3810A has four AMC slots for the Gigabit Ethernet or hard-drive cards or a two-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet card that occupies two slots. The device also comes with eight copper and two fiber Gigabit Ethernet ports built into the chassis.

Fortigate 3810A costs $45,000 and the FortiGate 3016B costs $30,000. The 10 Gigabit Ethernet card costs $12,000, the Gigabit Ethernet card costs $3,000 and the hard drive card costs $3,000.