Smallest Cheapest ASA/PIX

[Tommouse]

I'm looking for the smallest of the PIX/ASA line. I'm looking for the smallest version of that line that still is "normal" as I don't want some gimped out version. I want full CLI and VPN functionality. The smallest I've found is the ASA 5505 or the PIX 501 both for around $400. I was hoping there would be something cheaper than that. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Jamsan]

Buy used.

 

[drebo]

The cheapest Cisco firewall appliance is the ASA5505 10-user basic feature set.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833120135

As far as "full featured" goes, it does everything...just not as much as the Security Plus does. For instance, it is limited to three VLANs on the integrated 8 port switch: 'inside', 'outside', and a limited 'dmz', with no trunking available. Also, VPN capability is limited to 10 peers, as opposed to 25 with the Security Plus version.

It also has a 10 client limit. This means that you can only have 10 simultaneous connections outside the network.

 

[MulLa]

eBay is definately your best bet for good cheap Cisco gear. Tho the ASA might still be failrly expensive. You might want to consider a PIX if it runs a reasonably recent OS, they are fairly similar to the ASA in terms of commands.

 

[drebo]

A PIX 501 will only run 6.3 or lower, and you're not likely to find them any cheaper on eBay.

 

[Dooling37]

I recently got a used PIX 506E off ebay for ~$250. It runs fine. If you don't mind using slightly out-of-date software, I'd recommend it -- it has all the functionality that I need for a home network firewall, without some of the functionality I'd just assume do without -- IDS, content filtering, etc.

There are some way-cheaper PIXs advertised on ebay "as is" that presumably means they're either broken or haven't been tested at all -- buyer beware.

 

[azev]

you can sometimes get a 515 pix for about $300, and it is compatible with the latest software which makes them almost equal to asa.

 

[TritonDrew]

Just picked up a NEW cisco ASA 5505 on Ebay for $270 after the MSFT rebate and current Ebay promotion.