Critical Links' EdgeBox Creates Ample Opportunities for Solution Providers - Security Features
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With robust connectivity options and line-of-business
applications, extensive security becomes a must-have. Here, yet again, the EdgeBox
impresses. The unit includes a full suite of security products, which starts
off with a stateful inspection firewall. Solution providers will find complete
implementations of VPN for remote user access (L2TP, PPTP), site-to-site
(IPSec), anti-spam, anti-virus (based on ClamAV, McAfee and Sophos) and content
filtering.
Security is further enhanced by the inclusion of
NAC features that control how employees and visitors access the network. Access
can be granted or denied per user, service, IP, time of day and source (VPN, LAN,
wireless). EdgeBox’s NAC supports authentication through a captive portal,
802.1X, and remotely through RADIUS, LDAP or AD.
The unit offers one last surprise, and that comes
from the integrated NAS (network-attached storage) and printer server. The
system provides scalable storage capacity and redundant disks (RAID) for
critical business data and allows the sharing of MS Windows files, setting disk
quotas, and configuring automatic backup to a remote server or an external USB
disk drive. The print server works with most USB
printers and allows users running Windows to quickly share a printer.
For solution providers and their customers, the management
features of the unit are of critical importance. Here, Critical Links strove to
create a unified management console that can be accessed remotely. The
management console is fully Web-based and allows the configuration of all
aspects of the system by non-IT experts. Processes such as adding new
users/hires are fully integrated, meaning that a vast array of settings (e-mail,
phone extension, Wi-Fi credentials, VPN settings, file server area with quotas
and backup setting, etc.) can be completed in just a few minutes with the EdgeBox
Management interface.
Perhaps the only downside to the EdgeBox is business
continuity. Simply put, if the device fails, so does all of a business’s most
important IT capabilities. Critical Links has thought that scenario through and
offers a “virtual EdgeBox” solution. Here, a solution provider can host a
virtual copy of the customer’s EdgeBox, which is constantly updated. If the
EdgeBox fails, the solution provider can quickly switch the customer over to
the virtual implementation until the actual unit is replaced.
Critical Links is currently recruiting new
partners and only sells via the channel. EdgeBox starts at $2,500 and increases
in price depending on the number of seats needed and EdgePacks ordered.
Solution providers can expect healthy margins on the hardware and software, and
can garner revenue from the installation and support of the unit. The failover
option can add recurring revenue for solution providers hosting virtual EdgeBoxes,
while remote management fits keenly into the MSP model.
Solution providers looking to build opportunity in
the SMB market will be well-served by the EdgeBox product line.
