1-3. Hardware and Performance
Cisco offers firewall functionality in a variety of hardware platforms, many of which are network appliances, where the firewall is contained in a standalone chassis. These include the Cisco PIX Security Appliance and Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) platforms.
The FWSM is a “blade” or module that can be used in a Catalyst 6500 switch chassis. This moves the firewall presence into an infrastructure switch itself rather than an external appliance.
Cisco also offers a firewall function as part of the Cisco IOS software, which can be run on many router platforms. This function allows an existing router to become a firewall too. Chapter 11, “Cisco IOS Firewall: Controlling Access,” and Chapter 12, “Cisco IOS Firewall: ...
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