What is our primary use case?
We are the system integrators. We don't SonicWall ourselves, but we are responsible for the implementation to the end customer and provide three years of support.
It can be used by users who work outside of the office, wherever they are in the world. It is part of the SonicWall VPN, and SSL-VPN is configured to the particular application. Netextender is a SonicWall application, and the VPN is also proprietary to SonicWall.
What is most valuable?
It is very good because it's easy to use, and customers can easily understand it. It was very handy to use. It is a simple application and very easy to use. There were no challenges regarding this particular application.
It can support multifactor authentication. Also, it is a very basic application. We can connect with just the username, password, and server address. Another thing is that we can use a custom port for the VPN.
What needs improvement?
In the past, customers wanted an application that could run directly upon starting the PC, automatically connecting to the firewall. We were not able to do it in NetExtender. This was something customers wanted, but we couldn't provide due to NetExtender's limitations. I feel NetExtender might have rolled out this feature.
In future releases, introductions of AI features would be really helpful. For example, we faced a situation where a customer wanted to allow Office 365 access without any kind of internet, just through the local internet. Office 365 has multiple dynamic IPs and URLs that can be updated daily, making it difficult to allow.
If there were an AI-based solution that could bring those URLs and new IP addresses to the firewall and add them to the rule, that would be very helpful. That is just one scenario; there are multiple things AI could help with.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been implementing it for about six to seven years now.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is stable. But sometimes, we face issues with some Windows versions. For example, some users are still using Windows 7, which is expired and no longer supported by Microsoft. In that case, we cannot install and run NetExtender properly on that system.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It supports scalability features. It is easy to scale.
How are customer service and support?
It is very satisfactory. They are always available. When we call, they are available within 10 to 15 minutes.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Currently, I work with Check Point. But it is a new start for me. For the past two months, I've been working with the product and trying to gain knowledge about it.
The functionality and features are also different, not just the price.
One thing I found with SonicWall is that when customers require configurations regarding user-based authentication URLs, and if they want to bind bandwidth to a particular username or do routing on a user basis, it is not possible with SonicWall.
How was the initial setup?
It is very easy to install. You just need to click next-next-next, and it will be installed like any other application.
It is compatible with various other systems. No issues.
Maintenance is not required for the application itself. Once installed, it will continue to run. However, we recommend users update the application when any updates are available.
What was our ROI?
It is cost-saving because it is comparatively cheaper. Also, if we buy it once, it will last for five to seven years because they come with the latest generation. If you buy it once, I'm sure it will last for the next seven to eight years because the hardware is capable of that.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Pricing is a simple thing. We have the key, and we need to enter it in the SonicWall official portal. That's all.
Compared to others, it is cheaper. When we compare it with Palo Alto, Check Point, or Fortinet, it is a little cheaper.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I would rate it an eight out of ten.
*Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Integrator