First Generation Firewalls Don’t Cut it!

Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) have rapidly become a must-have countermeasure for today’s security and compliance conscious organizations. Simply put, this is because NGFWs overcome the deficiencies and challenges of conventional, stateful inspection firewalls that rely solely on IP addresses, ports, and protocols for classifying and controlling network traffic. In particular, by adding application awareness and control, integrated threat prevention, and the ability to account for other contextual information (e.g., user identity) on top of legacy network-layer capabilities, NGFWs:

• Provide the ability to effectively control exactly which applications are being used on the network, how they are being used, and who is using them while also preventing associated threats, despite the fact that
  the majority of applications now rely on only a handful of protocols (e.g., HTTP and HTTPS), and the proliferation of evasive techniques such as the use of non-standard ports, protocol tunneling, SSL encryption, and port-hopping
  
  
• Reduce device sprawl, network complexity, and the inevitable gaps in one’s defenses by obviating the need for numerous “helper” products (e.g., standalone network IPS, gateway anti-virus, URL/content filtering, etc.)

At least that is the case in theory. As the saying goes, however, the devil is in the details. In reality, there is considerable variation from one product to the next in terms of how NGFW capabilities are being achieved, and, therefore, in terms of how well they deliver on their supposed value propositions.

Start the conversation today with High Point Networks about replacing your old Firewalls. Contact us

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High Point Networks is bringing a Network Security Basic Administration (NS-101) course for the CSSA Certification to Fargo in March. This 2-day course will allow students to design, implement, and troubleshoot SonicWALL security devices running SonicOS firmware.

This course, formerly titled Network Security Essentials Administrator, provides you with the background, knowledge, and hands-on experience to begin designing, implementing, and troubleshooting SonicWALL security appliances running SonicOS firmware.

This technical training covers configuration and deployment of the SonicOS firmware. You will become familiar with a wide spectrum of SonicWALL's innovative feature set, such as Unified Threat Management (UTM), Single Sign On, VPN, SSL VPN, and Content Filtering Service. As you examine the  wide array of security features SonicOS has to offer, you will learn validation of settings and troubleshooting techniques using the SonicWALL diagnostic tools. Formative evaluations (knowledge checks and hands-on exercises) are incorporated throughout this course to test new skill sets.

Interested?
If you would like to attend this training, please contact High Point Networks at 877-850-6459 or info@highpointnetworks.com for details.

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Catch Shady
1/17/12

Protect what you value most with a Video Surveillance solution from High Point Networks.

Our mission is to help you make the most of network video's potential to protect people, property, assets, optimize processes and improve business efficiency.

As the driving force in network video, our partners at Axis and Aimetis will provide the expertise and experience to help you use video surveillance to achieve your goals.

Axis provides a complete range of solutions for a broad spectrum of industry segments and applications. Whether you need a few cameras, or a few thousand, our solutions are easy to install and easy to adapt to changing needs. In short, cost-effective and future-proof.

We also offer specific solutions for specific situations. Does your existing analog CCTV system need to be expanded and modernized? Are you installing your first IP surveillance system? We will provide a scalable, open-standard solution delivering enduring results: indoor, outdoor, wired, wireless, and in even the most extreme conditions and remote locations.

Don't let Shady go unseen.

Learn more about our Video Surveillance solution.

Axis IP Surveillance Brochure

Aimetis Symphony Brochure

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High Point Networks Implements Pay IT Forward Program
1/11/11

"Pay IT Forward" is an employer-sponsored program that offers High Point Networks' employees the opportunity to make contributions to charitable organizations of their choice. Employees are encouraged to choose a charity, foundation or non-profit organization that is personally meaningful to them. High Point Networks made charitable contributions to 26 different organizations totaling $14,000 this past holiday season.

High Point Networks believes that vibrant, healthy communities have strong charitable and educational organizations. These are supported by the volunteer time and financial contributions of community citizens and local businesses. We understand the importance of a high quality of life to a healthy business environment.

High Point Networks is a leader in business and in the communities we serve. We empower our employees to stand up for a cause which often inspires others to get involved. Our goal with this program is to help instill confidence and optimism, and to make a difference in the lives of other people.

Contributing to organizations and community groups that employees care about enables High Point Networks to promote a more positive work environment and build shared pride in the company's role in the community. We had a profitable and successful year in 2011 at High Point Networks and welcome the opportunity to "Pay IT Forward".

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Bishop joins Professional Services Team
1/9/12

High Point Networks, LLC has hired a new employee to their professional services team.

Kyle Bishop has been hired as a Systems Engineer. Bishop is a 2003 graduate of Minnesota State Community & Technical College with a degree in Computer & Network Technology. He has been employed in the IT industry for the past 8 years.

Kyle enjoys golf, basketball and hunting in his free time. He resides in Fargo with his wife and two children.

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Alteon Release 28.1 Is Now Available!
12/22/11

Alteon release 28.1 introduces new and exciting capabilities to the Alteon product line and it's a key component in Radware's VADI 2.0. With release 28.1, the Alteon product line is positioned as the most comprehensive, visionary and advanced ADC in the industry.

Some of the new capabilities in Alteon release 28.1 include:

• Enhanced virtualization capabilities with multi OS support for vADCs
• Full IPv6 support with IPv6 ready logo certification
• Industry leading Layer7 content switching capabilities for HTTP and DNS
• Complete central management of all Alteon ADC devices and vADCs in the data center through Vision management system
• Introduction of the new Alteon 5224 & 5224 XL platforms that provide unmatched throughput range from 1 to 18 Gbps
• Alteon VA supports additional virtualization infrastructure – including ESXi 5.0, KVM and OpenXen
• DNSSec support in SLB and in GSLB
• Troubleshooting tools improvements
• SYN attack protection enhancements

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Secure the iOS Revolution with your Existing SonicWALL Solution.
12/13/11

The iOS revolution is upon us - smartphones and tablets are everywhere. Notably, iOS devices such as Apple® iPads® and iPhones® have emerged as a preferred mobile platform. For the user, flexibility, quality and ease-of-use is unmatched. But for IT professionals, security and management is problematic. Unmanaged devices connecting to network resources through unsecured hotspots are a recipe for disaster.

The good news is that, beginning today, you can use any SonicWALL SSL VPN solutions by simply downloading an app via the App StoreSM to extend the robust security you rely on today, everywhere - at no cost.

The SonicWALL Mobile Connect™ unified client app for Apple iOS provides Apple iPad and iPhone users full access to networked resources over encrypted SSL VPN connections. The result is high security and data integrity for users outside and inside the network – anytime, anywhere. Available now via the App Store, SonicWALL Mobile Connect provides secure SSL VPN connections to SonicWALL Aventail® E-Class Secure Remote Access (SRA), SRA for SMB or SonicWALL Firewall appliances.

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Introducing RiOS 7.0 from Riverbed - New Features Reinforce Commitment to Optimize Applications Customers Care about Most
12/7/11

Riverbed Technology announced new features to its Riverbed® Optimization System (RiOS®) - RiOS 7.0. This release expands the company's already broad set of features within Steelhead appliances to include optimization for live video streaming delivered over http, user datagram protocol (UDP), and IPv6. RiOS 7.0 also includes embedded Cascade Shark for on-demand packet capture and analysis as well as Skipware for satellite optimization. Finally, RiOS 7 features enhance virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and Quality of Service (QoS) to provide organizations with greater control over business critical applications.

These new capabilities reinforce Riverbed's commitment to optimization, broaden the company's ability to support key enterprise applications and extend its leadership in delivering speed, scale, simplicity and security to the globally connected enterprise.

Key Features in RiOS 7.0:

• Native stream splitting for Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight
• Optimization for UDP and IPv6
• Optimization for encrypted Lotus Notes
• Embedded Cascade Shark and Skipware
• End-to-end Kerberos support for Microsoft applications
• Auto-configuration for HTTP authentication
• Improved CIFS and HTTP pre-population

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INFO-TECH Names Extreme Networks #1 in Data Center Products for Cloud Networks
11/17/11

Some of the largest businesses, governments and technology companies run their data centers on Extreme Networks®. More than 700 customers worldwide use our data center products.

Three different analyst groups include Extreme Networks in their recent data center reports:

• The Dell'Oro Group rated Extreme Networks as a top five vendor for data center revenue and total Ethernet ports shipped (Top of Rack fixed and End of Row modular switches).
• Gartner, in its recent Competitive Landscape: Data Center Ethernet Switches, Worldwide, 2011 Update, named Extreme Networks a Data Center "Network Specialist." | Read More
• INFO-TECH Research Group rated Extreme Networks as a "champion" in the data center and hosted cloud markets. Extreme Networks was the only vendor rated "exemplary" for its data center products.

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Partner Feature

Why is the network so slow right now?
Have you ever been asked that question and not been able to adequately answer it?  The newest version of SonicOS firmware helps to address that question.

Using a combination of the Real-Time Monitor and App Flow Monitor in SonicOS 5.8, we can begin to answer that question.  The Real-Time Monitor can tell us what application is consuming the most bandwidth while the App Flow Monitor will allow you to find out who is generating the traffic.  By combining these two new features with Pilxer International’s Scrutinizer you have an off the SonicWALL historical record.

If visibility into your network is what you need, consider upgrading your SonicWALL to SonicOS 5.8.

Learn more about the SonicOS Platform

SonicWALL: Demos on Demand - Now Available HighPointNetworks.com

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It’s Time to get Massive
As bandwidth speeds increase and tighter security regulations become the norm, providing a reliable next generation firewall solution within a data center has never been so easy.  SonicWALL’s SuperMassive E10000 series firewalls extend SonicWALL’s Internet security platform from the WAN to multi-gigabit speeds.  All the traditional features that you have grown to love with the SonicWALL (IPS, GAV, and Application Intelligence) can now be placed inside even the most bandwidth intensive environments.  Depending on the bandwidth requirement you need, there is a SuperMassive firewall that will fit your requirements.

Learn more about the SuperMassive E10000 Appliance Series

Sweet Suite!

High Point Networks is proud to support the Fargo Force and we want you to be our guest. High Point has a suite for the second straight year and it’s a great view to watch our local USHL team play. As a customer of High Point Networks, we want you to join us for a game this season. If you have a game in mind that works for you, please contact your Account Manager to check on availability. Go Force!

www.fargoforce.com

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Video Surveillance in HD: What are you seeing?

This development is now starting to have an impact on the video surveillance market, as customers ask for higher image quality standard. The possibility of clearer, sharper images is a long sought quality in the surveillance industry, i.e. in applications where objects are moving or accurate identification is vital.

It can be argued that some of these requirements can be met with megapixel network cameras. However the notion of “megapixel” is not a recognized standard but rather an adaptation of the industry’s best practices and it refers specifically to the number of image sensor elements of the digital camera. With high resolution follows huge amounts of image data, which more often than not leads to compromises on frame rate. A megapixel camera alone is therefore not synonymous with high image quality.

In contrast, a network camera that complies with any of the given HDTV standards is guaranteed to provide a certain resolution, frame rate and color fidelity, thereby ensuring video quality at all times.

The image quality improvements brought by high-definition TV has been well received and generates great demand in the consumer market. Consequently, a similar trend can already be seen in the traditional video surveillance market. HDTV-compliant network cameras deliver a resolution, color representation, 16:9 aspect ratio and frame rate that are in accordance with international standards, making them an appealing solution in surveillance situations that require high quality images.

Learn more about Video Surveillance solutions from High Point Networks

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