More than three years after Juniper Networks acquired NetScreen, the company has finally integrated NetScreenOS security functions into its JUNOS network operating system.
Juniper on March 17 will launch the first router products to integrate NetScreenOS security functions with the release of JUNOS 9.0 on its J-series branch office routers.
Users can deploy the J-series branch office routers into remote locations without the need to install a separate security appliance. The routers now support stateful zon-based firewalling and stateful failover of session-based firewalls with chassis clustering. Juniper also simplified configuration of IPSec Virtual Private Networking and Network Address Translation services on the J-series routers.
In addition, the J-series routers now support firewall policies and application layer gateways to secure applications data and the network itself from external threats and denial-of-service attacks.
Who are the most influential people in security today? Find out here.
“In the real world when it comes to IT resources, there’s no more IT person on site at remote offices. The branch office needs a minimal amount of boxes to manage. With routing and security in the J-series, there are fewer tools to learn to use and a single box to manage and maintain,” said John Yun, product marketing manager at Juniper in Sunnyvale, Calif.
Juniper believes its existing customers will benefit from the integration thanks to the less complex configuration required for security services. New customers will benefit from the consolidation of routing and security functions into a single device.
“Having a robust solution for routing and security in the same box, with the same management and command-line interface, will be a significant benefit to them,” said Yun.
JUNOS 9.0 is available now on the J-series J2320, J2350, J4350 and J6350. It is a free upgrade for customers with maintenance contracts.