Question

Cisco ASA 5505 vs Microsoft ISA

Asked by: Cobra25

Hello,

i'm looking for points as to why the ASA is better than the ISA. I'm just looking for a general overall opinion.

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Asked On
2009-08-13 at 09:59:37ID24650470
Tags

ASA

,

ISA

,

Firewall

Topics

MS Forefront-ISA

,

Cisco PIX Firewall

,

Consumer Firewalls

Participating Experts
4
Points
500
Comments
11

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Answers

 

by: keith_alabasterPosted on 2009-08-13 at 10:29:16ID: 25090778

Pretty much similar apart from the obvious one - ASA is hardware based and ISA is software, although it can come as an appliance - and not everyone believes the ASA is better in the first place.
Both are EAL4+ accredited - the best you can get.
Both have never been hacked - although both have been passed through to incompetent security rules being applied ie user has no idea or training on how to use the products so opens stupid ports with no concept of what they have done..
Both handle VPNs - although the ASA can handle SSL vpns which ISA doesn't.
Trade off is that ISA is a full blown layer 7 application gateway as well as a firewall. ASA is not.
In addition, ISA can publish services as a reverse proxy to handle SSO for Exchange and Sharepoint
The argument goes on....

 

by: ikalmarPosted on 2009-08-13 at 10:37:01ID: 25090855

ISA is a software product which you would install on a Windows Server Operating System, where as ASA is a purpose made hybrid firewall (hybrid for the reason that now almost upto Layer7 protection is provided)

ASA5500 Series Firewall is a fusion of cisco PIX500 and VPN3000 concentrator lines...  And is a command line bred, Java GUI capable, firewall and vpn concentrator appliance...    

ASA is better than ISA , maybe because it has the Anti phising, antivirus, anti spyware.

 

by: Cobra25Posted on 2009-08-13 at 10:42:46ID: 25090915

Great posts so far, any additional points would be great

 

by: keith_alabasterPosted on 2009-08-13 at 10:51:38ID: 25090995

Excellent we have one for each side.
ISA is better than ASA.
ISA already has full layer 7 protection for both inbound and outbound.
ISA is a full blown proxy server and will handle up to 10,000 concurrent connections - although it is supposedly rated higher than that.
The publishing wizards walk you through configuring internal services that you want to make available to the outside world including authentication.
ISA fully integrates with Active Directory - obviously - so you can associate your existing groups into rules.
ISA has a built-in full quarantine service where it will hold any connecting client, update their software versions as per your rules, and will then allow access to continue.

ISA is now part of the MS forefront range - for note, ISA 2006 is the last version of ISA server. The new product is called Forefront threat management gateway (FTMG) and has the same add-ons that the ASA has.
Both ISA and FTMG give you a 6-month limited full version to assess their suitability before you have to purchase it.


 

by: Cobra25Posted on 2009-08-13 at 10:54:05ID: 25091009

How about why ASA is better than ISA?

 

by: keith_alabasterPosted on 2009-08-13 at 10:54:25ID: 25091013

lol - I am a Cisco CCDP and Cisco CCNP on one side but I am also a Microsoft MVP for ISA Server. I am not going to post the blurbs and sales-pitches but will comment on experience :)  ASA is not better - it is horses for courses

 

by: MesthaPosted on 2009-08-13 at 11:40:56ID: 25091460

I have two sites that use both - both financial services with more Network Security people than IT.
The Cisco sits between the internet and everything else doing the more traditional firewall stuff.
Then it passes the traffic to ISA which does its thing with the publishing of applications etc, and then passes it to the Exchange servers (in my case).

I am just a bit weary of having a Windows machine straight out on to the internet. I know what the ISA people say, so just call me old fashioned. The network security people like the layered security.

Simon.

 

by: Cobra25Posted on 2009-08-13 at 12:24:38ID: 25091870

I need any benefits/features that the ASA might offer

 

by: keith_alabasterPosted on 2009-08-13 at 12:34:09ID: 25091979

Hello Simon - long time no speak.

Cobra, don't hold your breath as these are extremely few. As mentioned in my first post, the fact that the ASA can do SSl VPN's natively is obviouisly a plus.
Some would say that a hardware/asic device is better than a software device but that is personal choice. Apart from that, they are pretty much interchangeable. Both need similar skills etc as well.

 

by: Boilermaker85Posted on 2009-08-14 at 09:15:37ID: 25099730

Cost:
ISA requires:
Server hardware - $1000-$5000 depending on your needs.
Server OS software - $750 and up depending on Std, Enterprise, etc.
ISA Software - $not sure of the cost, but it is not free after 180 days.

ASA:
Model 5505 $500 and up depending on users, SSL VPN licensing, AIP SSM (IDS/IPS, AV/AS, content filtering, etc), 5510 is $4000 and up, 5520 is $7000 and up, 5540 if $12k and up.
but certainly seems less expensive at the low end. Can be much higher however as it scales up.

Reliability: typical Cisco gear will be online without rebooting for several years. Server hardware can be less robust, and certainly software must be patched monthly. Cisco support is expensive, but very good and covers hardware and OS. ISA requires maint contract from Microsoft and hw vendor for similar support.

 

by: keith_alabasterPosted on 2009-08-15 at 01:38:20ID: 25104583

Thank you :)

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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