Description
Product Outline for the Cisco ASA5555-K9 Firewall Manageable Appliance
The Cisco ASA5555-K9 is a part of the ASA 5500-X series, renowned for delivering advanced security and performance. The firewall edition is equipped with a range of features that make it suitable for a variety of network environments, from small businesses to large enterprises. The Cisco ASA5555-K9 ASA 5555-X Firewall Edition is a robust security appliance designed to provide advanced firewall and VPN (Virtual Private Network) capabilities. In this detailed explanation, we will delve into the key features and specifications of the Cisco ASA 5555-X, breaking down its functionalities and technical aspects.
Key Features of Firewall Security ApplianceIPsec VPN Support
One of the standout features of the Cisco ASA5555-K9 is its ability to support up to 5000 IPsec VPN peers. IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) is a suite of protocols that ensure secure communication over the Internet. The ASA5555-K9’s support for a large number of VPN peers makes it suitable for medium to large-sized enterprises with extensive network requirements.
Gigabit Ethernet Ports
The firewall edition is equipped with 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing high-speed connectivity for data transfer within the network. Gigabit Ethernet is essential for handling the increasing demands of modern applications, large file transfers, and multimedia streaming.
The presence of 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports in the Cisco ASA5555-K9 allows for flexible network configurations, ensuring that organizations can meet their specific connectivity needs. Whether it’s connecting to the internet, linking to other network devices, or accommodating high-bandwidth applications, the firewall edition provides the necessary infrastructure for a seamless network experience.
SSL VPN Capabilities
In addition to IPsec VPN, the ASA5555-K9 also provides SSL VPN capabilities. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) VPNs enable secure remote access to the network for authorized users. The firewall edition supports up to 2 SSL VPN peers, allowing a secure and flexible way for users to connect to the corporate network remotely.
Gigabit Ethernet Management
In addition to the regular Gigabit Ethernet ports, the appliance features a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet management port. This port is designed for out-of-band management, providing a separate channel for administrators to access and configure the firewall. This segregation enhances security by isolating management traffic from regular data traffic. This port is specifically designed for managing and configuring the firewall appliance. Having a separate management interface ensures that network administrators can perform essential tasks without affecting the data traffic on the other ports.
Security Appliance
The primary function of the Cisco ASA5555-K9 is to act as a security appliance. It incorporates a range of security measures, including firewall capabilities, intrusion prevention, VPN support, and more. As a comprehensive security solution, it helps organizations establish a robust defense against cyber threats. The firewall function acts as a barrier between the internal network and the external world, controlling incoming and outgoing traffic based on an organization’s previously established security policies. Intrusion prevention helps identify and mitigate potential threats, while VPN support ensures secure communication over the internet.
The advanced threat detection capabilities of the ASA 5555-X include features like Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP), providing an additional layer of defense against sophisticated malware and other cyber threats.
Use Cases for Gigabit Ethernet Ports
- High-Volume Data Transfer: Gigabit Ethernet ports support data transfer rates of up to 1 gigabit per second, making them suitable for applications that require high bandwidth. This includes activities like video streaming, large file transfers, and data-intensive applications.
- Virtualization: In virtualized environments where multiple virtual machines communicate with each other and the external network, Gigabit Ethernet ports ensure that the network can handle the increased data flow efficiently.
- Network Segmentation: Organizations often segment their networks for security and performance reasons. Gigabit Ethernet ports enable the creation of separate network segments without sacrificing overall network speed.
Significance of a Management Port
The dedicated Gigabit Ethernet management port on the Cisco ASA5555-K9 plays a crucial role in network administration. This port is designed for out-of-band management, providing a separate channel for administrators to access and configure the firewall. This separation enhances security by isolating management traffic from regular data traffic.
Benefits of a Management Port
- Security Isolation: By having a dedicated management port, the firewall ensures that administrative tasks are conducted on a separate network segment. This isolation prevents unauthorized access to management functions and adds an extra layer of security to the overall network infrastructure.
- Network: The management port allows administrators to network issues even if the regular data ports are experiencing problems. This ensures that critical management functions remain accessible, facilitating faster issue resolution.
- Scalability: In environments with multiple network devices, having a dedicated management port on each device simplifies network administration. It allows administrators to centrally manage and monitor devices without relying on the regular data ports for management access.
Power and Innovation
The ASA5555-K9 is a Cisco 8-port Ethernet appliance that is part of the Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) series. It is designed for use in medium to large-sized businesses and enterprise environments and offers advanced security features such as firewall, VPN, and intrusion prevention capabilities.
One of the key features of the ASA5555-K9 is its ability to provide comprehensive security for both traditional and cloud-based networks, as well as for mobile devices. This is achieved through its support for Cisco’s Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) software, which integrates next-generation firewall, advanced threat protection, and VPN capabilities into a single platform.
The appliance also offers a high level of scalability, allowing it to adapt to changing network requirements and support increasing numbers of users and devices. Additionally, it supports Cisco’s Smart Call Home feature, which allows the appliance to automatically send system information and data to Cisco support, which helps to speed up the resolution of any issues that may occur.
Resiliency and High Availability
The ASA5555-K9 is a Cisco Firewall Manageable Appliance that is designed for enterprise-level security and high availability. One of the key features of the ASA5555-K9 is its ability to provide resiliency and high availability through the use of multiple security contexts, which allows for multiple virtual firewalls to run on the same physical device. This allows for multiple security policies to be enforced on a single device and provides redundancy in case of a failure.
The ASA5555-K9 also offers some advanced security features, such as VPN support, intrusion prevention, and content security, to help protect your network against a wide range of threats. Additionally, the device supports Cisco’s Adaptive Security Device Manager (ASDM) and CLI for easy management and configuration.
Cisco Smart Net Total Care service (CON-SNT-ASA5555K9) can also be purchased to provide resiliency and high availability for the ASA5555-K9 firewall, which includes access to Cisco’s technical support team, software updates, and hardware replacement in case of failure. This helps to ensure that your network stays up and running, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.
General Information about this Cisco ASA5555-K9 Security Appliance
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Model Number or SKU# ASA5555-K9
- Product Line: ASA
- Product Series: 5500
- Product Type: Security Appliance
Technical Information for Firewall Appliance
- Total Number of Ports: 8
- USB: Yes
I/O Expansions
- Number of Total Expansion Slots: 1
Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Slots: 1 (total) / 1 (free) x expansion slot
- Interfaces: 8 x 1000Base-T – RJ-45 ¦ 1 x 1000Base-T (management) – RJ-45 ¦ 1 x management – RJ-45 ¦ 2 x USB 2.0 – Type A
Wireless Specifications
- Wireless LAN: No
Capacity
- IPsec VPN Peers: 5,000
- SSL VPN Peers: 2
- Concurrent Sessions: 1,000,000
- Virtual Interfaces (VLANs): 500
- Security Contexts: 2
Features
- Firewall Protection, VPN Support, VLAN Support, High Availability
Memory
- Standard Memory: 16 GB
- Flash Memory: 8 GB
Power Description
- Input Voltage: 220 V AC
- Input Voltage: 110 V AC
- Power Provided: 400 Watt
- Power Device: Internal power supply
In general, the Cisco ASA5555-K9 ASA 5555-X Firewall Edition stands as a comprehensive security solution with a myriad of features designed to protect networks from diverse cyber threats. From its robust support for IPsec and SSL VPNs to the high-speed connectivity provided by Gigabit Ethernet ports, this security appliance is well-equipped to meet the security and connectivity needs of medium to large-sized enterprises. Additionally, its dedicated Gigabit Ethernet management port and advanced security features, including firewall capabilities, intrusion prevention, and identity and access management, further contribute to creating a secure and manageable network environment. Whether safeguarding against external threats or facilitating secure remote access, the Cisco ASA5555-K9 offers a versatile and powerful solution for organizations seeking to fortify their network infrastructure.
