Self-Defending Networks: The Next Generation of Network Security

Chapter 3. Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Overview

The Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) line combines the functions of a firewall, Virtual Private Network (VPN), and intrusion prevention system (IPS) in a single appliance. This product line is adaptive, which means that it provides several mechanisms that enable the network to be self-defending. The ASA product line is also built to be extensible to add new self-defending capabilities like antivirus, antispam, antiphishing, and antispyware protection, which are supported in the Content Security and Control Security Services Module (CSC-SSM) on the ASA product line.

The ASA product line contains several models, including the Cisco ASA 5505, Cisco ASA 5510, Cisco ASA 5520, Cisco ASA 5540, ...