NetMaster GG-Blade
The NetMaster GG-Blade is a very different kettle of fish than the 3Com products and much closer to 14 South Networks card (the GG stands for Gateway Guardian). The 3Com cards are designed as NIC replacements to provide better-than-normal internal security for servers and workstations by creating internal VPNs and offering some firewalling functionality, with limited emphasis on external security measures. Both the NetMaster and 14 South products, on the other hand, aim to supplement or even replace external firewall and VPN appliances.
This product looks like a PC on a card than a component card; it incorporates a Transmeta Crusoe TM 3200 CPU, 128MB of memory, and Realtek 8139C NICs onboard. While slightly larger than your average PCI card, it still retains quite a small form factor though and should fit in most systems.
The card has two network ports: one to act as the interface with the trusted network (LAN or internal), and one to interface with the untrusted network (WAN or external). Alternatively, if you want to secure the local system from the rest of your LAN, then you can use a crossover cable to connect the standard NIC inside the PC to the LAN port and thereby protect the system from the LAN.
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Overall this card is a very powerful tool and acts very well as a dedicated firewall/VPN device. The implementation of the CSM software is the key to its success. For ease of use as an SME firewall/VPN solution, the NetMaster GG-Blade it would be hard to pass over. It should also be noted that a similar solution is also available from NetMaster in an external appliance configuration called the GG-Ext.
NetMaster is seeking a distributor in Australia but doesn't currently have any local representation, so you'll have to buy it from overseas. This means support is not available at convenient times.
| Product: | Netmaster GG-Blade |
| Price: | US$524 |
| Vendor: | Netmaster Digital Security |
| Phone: | +1 604 609 6184 |
| Web: | www.netmaster.com |
| Interoperability: |
½
Limited to Microsoft platforms, but a wide variety of security standards. |
| Futureproofing: |
Gigabit support would have been nice, firmware is upgradeable for future features. |
| ROI: |
½Well priced considering the features, but not as full-blown as the IntraLock. |
| Service: |
1-year warranty is a bit limited, but extended service contracts are available. |
| Rating: |
½ |
