PIX-fw vs ASA55xx

[cineca]

Which are the main differences

between PIX FW and the new ASA55xx ?

Will the ASA55xx in the future

take the place of PIX family or

will the two products coexist ?

Which the criteria to choose between them ?

Thanks to anyone will answer.

Alessandro Asson

[itchampnz]

The ASA runs the Pix 7 code. In time it will replace the pix I would imagine as it is a natural upgrade.

The ASA has the added benfits of extra modules you can add like the SSM etc.

All depends on what your goals are. Personally having worked on both from a fw perspective they are the same, but the ASA certainly rocks when it comes to extras...

[joneschw1]

We just implemented an ASA5510. It is working well. I recently went from a PIX515e 6.3.4 to the ASA. The 7.0.x code is a little different, and I don't feel as confident yet as I did with the 6.3.4 on the traditional PIX.

The ASA has done very well for us thus far. If I have any major complaints it is as follows:

THERE IS NO FREAKING DOCUMENTATION OUT THERE.

Most of the documentation out there is really still pix specific. There is not much in the way of utilizing the additional functions of the ASA or even everything else that it can do beyond the legacy pix stuff. That really stinks. Furthermore, there is not a Cisco press book out on it yet. It doesn't hit the presses until sometime this month I believe/hope.

THat being said, looking at the two devices, I just really got the sense that the ASA would be the better long term solution b/c it seems apparent that Cisco is going to phase out the PIX in favor of this device. The price points are basically the same.

[andy-gerace]

You might find this helpful:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6120/products_configuration_guide_chapter09186a00804522f6.html

[itchampnz]

I do not agree with you on doco, there is plenty of doco on the Cisco website, and there is 2 Cisco Press books out, I have them both. What particular parts are you wanting doco on, I 'll see if I can point you in the right direction.