Has supported cloud deployments with detailed controls and could improve identity integration
What is our primary use case?
My main use case for SonicWall NSv is cloud space, specifically for Azure, AWS, and GCP deployments.
I use SonicWall NSv to secure cloud infrastructure instead of relying on Azure barebone security or AWS security. This allows me to get more granular control with my security settings.
I also use it to protect our private data center. We have customers that utilize it in a similar manner to Azure infrastructure, but within our own environment.
What is most valuable?
SonicWall NSv offers the option for Classic or Policy Mode, which allows me to choose between the two. If I need more granular control, I would prefer to use Policy Mode. If it is a simple configuration with one network that does not require much complexity, then Classic Mode is perfect.
When I use Policy Mode for more granular configurations, I can address situations where that flexibility makes a difference, such as wanting to have one network or one zone over another. I am not limited to the global security service configuration and can have multiple different security policies.
SonicWall NSv has positively impacted my organization. One specific outcome I have noticed is the low cost of licensing and that it is a trusted security appliance.
The low cost and trusted security have led to measurable benefits such as cost savings, which allow us to invest in other technologies.
What needs improvement?
SonicWall NSv can be improved, particularly in the SAML implementation, which was introduced in 7.2 firmware. I have 7.3, and I am waiting on that first jumbo hotfix from SonicWall. There is a need to continue improving the SAML implementation.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using SonicWall NSv for about seven years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
With NSM, the Network Security Manager, SonicWall NSv is quite scalable. You can operate multiple different NSvs under one management plane.
How are customer service and support?
Customer support from SonicWall could see some improvement. With the number of items that SonicWall has going on at the moment, the wait line can be quite intrusive.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Before choosing SonicWall NSv, I evaluated other options such as FortiGate virtual servers. For our customers, it always comes down to cost, where their budget is, and whether they need to go with FortiGate or SonicWall. Along with the cost, it also factors in how granular they need to utilize it. If they know they need to have BGP, then I might forgo SonicWall.
What was our ROI?
I have seen a return on investment. The relevant metric includes the time saved in deployment, especially if you go with Classic Mode over Policy Mode. Not much has changed since the release of Gen 7.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing is that licensing is fairly simple. I work with account managers at SonicWall, submit quotes with my distribution group, and the process is seamless.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I did not purchase SonicWall NSv through the AWS Marketplace. I bring my own license.
What other advice do I have?
Integration is something worth discussing.
SonicWall NSv integrates well with my existing systems. I have a built-in syslog system called ForVideo, and I can ingest all logs from SonicWall NSv appliance that I may not be able to get from a FortiGate.
My advice to others looking into using SonicWall NSv is that if deploying SonicWall NSv, I would really consider using Policy Mode over Classic Mode. I know it is quite a change going to that mode, but if you have to change to Policy Mode in the future, then you are looking at redeploying SonicWall NSv. If you deploy it from the start, you have that scalability to continue to grow.
I would rate this product a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Microsoft Azure
Much preferred dealing with WatchGuard Firewalls
What do you like best about the product?
Liked the VPN, the Content Filtering. The Anti-Malware feature is great.
What do you dislike about the product?
I wish the logging feature of this firewall was bit more robust.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
SonicWall has been a part of our corporate Firewall strategy and we used them to compare to our existing Firewall partners.
SonicWALL Review from Drew
What do you like best about the product?
They provide readily-available security products, which are fairly easy to configure and manage
What do you dislike about the product?
Device management can be tricky if you aren't a network engineer
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Providing our clients with a secure gateway in/out of their network.
Review of SonicWALL
What do you like best about the product?
They have decent firewalls and their user interface is fairly easy to navigate
What do you dislike about the product?
Some of the advanced features are difficult to find and configure
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
It allows us to secure our client's network, both inbound and outbound.
I have seen issues with SonicWall related to unfriendly UI. But rest is cool
What do you like best about the product?
It works really well, I have seen customers using it on enterprise network for their gateway and firewall needs.
What do you dislike about the product?
While working with some of the customers, I found the GUI not so friendly.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Security, network gateway.
Not a bad unit but could be better
What do you like best about the product?
It does have a really good range of configurable options and there is a wide range of models to suit various markets. The larger units are certainly something that you could use in a large data centre.
What do you dislike about the product?
The web interface is very dated, only one admin can be logged in at a time ( 6th gen and below) . The web content filtering is not granular enough for education customers. Application control is also an on or off setting you cannot have different settings for different groups.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
As a general firewall/router, it is OK, but I found it was unable to handle large volumes of deep packet inspection, which is required in most schools nowadays.
SonicWall Review
What do you like best about the product?
Secure access to your office workstation
What do you dislike about the product?
cost of implementation, but if its not something you are worried about then this software is great!
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Secured access to Office workstation remotely.
Scoic wall firewall
What do you like best about the product?
User interface and other features i like the most.
What do you dislike about the product?
Nothing i dislike about sonic wall however support can be improved
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
we have used sonic wall for solving network issues and other network related problems.
Recommendations to others considering the product:
its a good product in industry
Allows me to work remotely
What do you like best about the product?
It allows me to work remotely. I can securely log into my company portal from anywhere.
What do you dislike about the product?
It logs me out a lot during the day. Also, there are a lot of crashes and it is really slow.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
I am working from home.
great for educational settings
What do you like best about the product?
we used sonic wall in a k12 environment. the ease of deployment was great to get up and running fast
What do you dislike about the product?
At the time we implemented, we went with a hardware solution. a hosted or cloud solution would have been a better more efficient way to do it
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
we previously used filtering rules to block searches and traffic but SonicWall took that upon itself. we were also able to consolidate hardware into one solution
Recommendations to others considering the product:
it's perfect if you need to share management with non admins, since it is easy to use. installation is vete if you have them on the line since they can answer questions as they come
