1/9/2014 Author: Felicia
I've been using fireware 11.8 since the October 2013 release. Initial bugs were fixed through several CSP (customer service packs), and 11.8.1 just came out today. I was recently asked what's new in 11.8, so I thought I would share my perception of the positive benefits of fireware 11.8 over older versions of fireware.
I have already upgraded to 11.8.1 and haven't found any hard problems after about a day of use. WatchGuard remains the security appliance world leader in terms of features and value. One of the big factors I appreciate is their rapid deployment of patches. WatchGuard also regularly adds features to the fireboxes via new fireware versions. Last I checked, Cisco only released security updates for their firmware twice a year.
What's new in Fireware 11.8 that I'm actually using?
- Youtube for schools
- Firewatch in the webUI now has a Dimension look and feel to it. So a small version of Dimension is right on the appliance and is called Firewatch.
- wireless access point management enhancements abound (and another one with 11.8.1)
- SSO enhancements (Android, iOS, Mac OSX support)
- BOVPN enhancements (now supports dynamic routing, policy-based routing, or static routing)
- WebUI is now mobile ready meaning it's convenient to view it from your mobile device
- enhanced IPv6 support
- enhanced DLP logging, performance statistics, and security statistics logging
- DLP (data loss prevention) functionality
- WAP management VLAN tagging
- SSO port tester feature
- global SNAT setting allows for clearing active connections when the affected SNAT policy is modified
