Routers and Firewalls  - Wired and Wireless
Introduction

 Generally speaking, hardware firewalls are much harder to compromise than those that are strictly software-based.  At the entry level, many manufacturers such as NETGEAR combine router, firewall and even wireless access point functionality in a single relatively inexpensive box. So, when you take a look at the more affordable models, you will more than likely be looking at at a product that defines itself as a 'wireless' router. That isn't to say that enterprise-class manufacturers such as SonicWALL don't do the same. SonicWALL's TZ 150W, 180W and 190W models also incorporate wireless networking, albeit on a much more secure and flexible level.

On the business and enterprise-class end,  The SonicWALL Pro series delivers enterprise-class protection and network management capabilities for one half to one third of the price of their nearest real competitor.

It's worth noting that none of the products shown on this page are in any way comparable to the the run-of-the-mill offerings commonly found in computer stores. They offer a far wider range of features, much better security functionality and actually run an embedded operating system (usually VxWorks or embedded Linux). As a consequence, they're smarter, faster and more effective when it comes to defending and managing your network.

We've arranged these products into three broad categories -

These categories overlap in terms of price, performance and capabilities, so it is best to contact StarLAN Consulting Services for an assessment of your network and security needs. Owing to their higher level of functionality and sophistication, all of the products listed here require expert setup and configuration to perform at their best and most secure.

Also note that the list of products shown here is by no means comprehensive, nor is it the last word on what we may recommend for your particular data security needs. That said, those shown here represent best-of-breed solutions in their cost range - they are the products that we most often recommend. It is in most cases very difficult to improve upon them.