* Check Point to roll out VPN-1 Virtual System Extension NGX
Check Point is working on a new version of its multiple virtual firewall/VPN gateway platform called VPN-1 Virtual System Extension NGX.
While it is a mouthful to pronounce, the software can simplify the security architecture of networks that require multiple firewall and VPN profiles. Rather than installing a number of individual firewalls or VPN gateways, the VPN-1 VSX NGX supports up to 250 security gateways.
That means the software supports 250 different security profiles to protect different networks, virtual LANs or network segments from a single server, making it simpler to manage because the profiles can be reached from Check Point’s SmartCenter management platform.
To make it simpler still, with this release Check Point is adding new wizards and templates to make configuration of individual security profiles faster.
In addition to performing security functions, the software can act as a virtual switch, directing traffic to the virtual firewalls via a single IP address, reducing the need for actual switches. VPN-1 VSX NGX also supports media gateway control protocol, a key protocol in VoIP networks, to protect against attacks targeted at voice traffic.
This release of the software brings the platform up to Check Point’s NGX code base, meaning it now supports universal upgradeability. This means that when updates are needed, they can be automatically distributed to the platform via a Check Point service rather than by customers installing the changes.
VPN-1 VSX NGX will be available by year-end. The price depends on how many virtual gateway licenses are needed. A 10-license package costs $24,000.
