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Latest types of firewalls merge NGFW and threat analysis features

This article is part of the Network Evolution issue of February 2016 Vol 7 / No. 1
Some tech buzzwords just won't go away. Despite their forward-looking moniker, next-generation firewalls have been around for at least a decade, debuting with revolutionary capabilities like stateful packet filtering, user identity aware controls, intrusion detection/prevention and application visibility/control. Integrating all those features into one product was important, but the application control was a major step forward because, for the first time, these types of firewalls could detect and block Web application traffic traversing through an enterprise network. Those early next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) were built for a different era. Eight to 10 years ago, companies still relied largely on building a perimeter around the network to block malware. Chris Rodriguez, a senior industry analyst at Frost & Sullivan who covers the NGFW market, contends that isn't a comprehensive strategy anymore. "A firewall is just one of many sensors companies can put out there today," he says. "A firewall is not an end-all and be-all. It ...
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Four examples of networks in unusual places
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Container networking offers opportunity to simplify networks
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Can video conferencing technology keep kids in school?
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NIA: For Illumio, security means trust no one
Illumio wins SearchNetworking's Network Innovation Award for its Adaptive Security Platform.
Columns in this issue
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You never know where you'll find a network deployment
A network deployment can be a good reminder that IT isn’t always a desk job. Network engineers often go into cramped, dirty or unsafe places to install equipment.
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WLAN 2016 technology trends
As we look ahead in the new year, wireless LAN 2016 technology trends include 802.11ac Wave 2, analytics, 2.5/5/10 Gbps, LTE conflicts and the Internet of Things.