Cisco ASA55xx Firewalls

ASA55xx Series

Cisco’s series of Adaptive Security Appliances

Bryley Systems Inc.Business Technology Solutions Since 1987

Agenda

• Default Capabilities• Models• Optional Capabilities

ASA Capabilities

• Stateful/Deep Packet Inspection Firewall• IPSec VPN Endpoint• SSL VPN Endpoint• Virtualization• Anti-X• Intrusion Prevention

Firewall

• Default firewall rules– Outbound traffic is allowed unless otherwise

specified– Inbound traffic is denied unless otherwise

specified• Stateful packet inspection ensures that

responses to outbound traffic match outgoing requests

ASA Firewall

• ASA assigns a security level to each interface– inside is 100, outside (Interent) is 0, DMZ is

typically assigned 50– Default rules allow free flow from higher security

level to lower security 0 level• NAT/PAT– Allows for more servers with fewer public Ips

• Deep packet inspection

IPSec VPN

• Used for LAN-to-LAN connections• Workstation clients for Windows, Macintosh,

Linux• Maximum connections depends on model• No additional licenses required• EasyVPN– Simplified configuration– Inbound connections only

SSL VPN

• No pre-installed client – connect with web browser

• Licensed by simultaneous connections (2 connections permitted for testing)

• Clientless connection– Simplest configuration– Limited to web applications– Some client-server applications are SSL VPN aware

SSL VPN

• Cisco AnyConnect VPN client• Downloaded on-the-fly• Full network access (if desired)• Windows/Macintosh/Linux• May not function of user rights on client

computer limited

IPSec vs SSL

IPSec• Workstation configuration

required• Administrator can configure

VPN then restrict user access

• Access as if client machine on LAN

• Has pre-shared key in addition to user password

• No additional cost

SSL• Browser-based from any

computer• Limited access if user does

not have right to install applications

• Need to use web applictions to ensure access

• Vulnerable to password compromise

• Extra cost feature

ASA Models

• ASA5505 - SOHO/Telecommuter• ASA551x • ASA552x• ASA554x• ASA555x - Large enterprise• ASA558x - Datacenter/ISP

Main Office, Integrated Protection

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

ASA5505 – Base License

• 10/50/Unlimited internal devices• 10 Simultaneous VPNs• 8 10/100 Ethernet ports – assigned to VLANs• 2 Power over Ethernet• 3 VLANs • One VLAN must be isolated from

communicating with one of the others.

ASA5505 – Telecommuter setup

ASA5505 – Security Plus

• 25 Simultaneous VPNs• Ports must be assigned to one of three

interfaces, up to 20 trunked VLANs permitted• Communications between interfaces restriced

by standard firewall rules• Failover to backup ISP for outbound access

ASA551x – Base License

• 250 Simultaneous VPNs• 3 – 10/100 Ethernet ports – Firewall interfaces• 1 – 10/100 Ethernet port – Management only• Up to 50 Trunked VLANs• SSM Slot for Content Filter or Intrusion

Prevention Module

ASA551x – Security Plus License

• 250 Simultaneous VPNs• 3 – 10/100 Ethernet ports• 2 – 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports• Up to 100 Trunked VLANs• SSM Slot for Content Filter, Intrusion

Prevention Module, or 4 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet Port module

• 2 included/5 maximum Security Contexts

ASA552x

• 750 Simultaneous VPNs• 1 – 10/100 Ethernet port• 4 – 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports• Up to 150 Trunked VLANs• SSM Slot for Content Filter, Intrusion

Prevention Module, or 4 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet Port module

• 2 included/20 maximum Security Contexts

ASA554x

• 5000 Simultaneous VPNs (2500 SSL)• 1 – 10/100 Ethernet port• 4 – 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports• Up to 200 Trunked VLANs• SSM Slot for Content Filter, Intrusion

Prevention Module, or 4 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet Port module

• 2 included/50 maximum Security Contexts

ASA555x

• 5000 Simultaneous VPNs• 1 – 10/100 Ethernet port• 4 – 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports• 4 ports selectable 1000T/SFP Fiber ports • Up to 250 Trunked VLANs• No SSM Slot• 2 included/50 maximum Security Contexts

Content Security and Control Module

• Standard License– Anti-virus– Anti-Spyware– File blocking

• Plus License adds– Anti-SPAM– URL Filter– E-mail content control

Content Security and Control Module

• CSC-SSM-10– 50/100/250/500 users– ASA5510 and ASA5520

• CSC-SSM-20– 750/1000 users– ASA5510 , ASA5520, ASA5540

• Subscription required for updates

Advanced Intrusion Prevention

• Compares every packet against a signature database

• Alerting or automatic blocking• Update subscription required