This section provides answers to the most commonly asked product questions. Select your product below in order to jump to that section:
Astaro Security Gateway |
Where can I download Astaro Software and manage my licenses?
All Astaro software and the license management area can be found in MyAstaro.
Which hardware platforms can be used with the Astaro Security Gateway software solution?
Users are able to use any Intel-compatible server or PC that meets the following minimum recommendations: Intel Pentium III 900 MHz, 512MB RAM, 10 GB hard disk drive and above.
Are printers counted as a user with Astaro Security Gateway software licences?
Yes. Every device which has an IP address and is protected by the Astaro Security Gateway is counted as a “user”.
Which services/modules get load-balanced in a HA/Cluster?
The following modules/applications are load balanced:
Is it possible to mix Astaro Security Gateway appliance types in clusters?
Although technically feasible, we do not recommend using different appliance types within a cluster. This is because the lowest performing unit will limit the overall throughput of the whole cluster.
Is it possible to apply an Astaro Security Gateway hardware license on Astaro Security Gateway software and vice versa?
No. Astaro’s hardware and software products use different licensing models and are not interchangeable.
Will the Astaro Security Gateway continue to function when the maintenance has expired?
Yes. As long as your subscriptions have not expired, the security applications will continue to function. However, they will not receive any pattern or firmware updates and will be therefore vulnerable to new threats within days.
Why does Active-Active High Availability need subscription licensing as opposed to Active-Passive High Availability?
With Active-Active High Availability, you are able to concurrently use your subscription services on all appliances in contrast to Active-Passive High Availability. You therefore require an active license for each subscription and unit.
Is it possible to upgrade from a small hardware appliance to a larger appliance?
Currently there is no standard upgrade path for hardware appliances. However, you are able to easily increase the performance of your hardware appliance by adding another similar unit and running both as a cluster. You are able to cluster up to a maximum of 10 units. Contact your Astaro Partner for all current upgrade options available to you.
Is there a home use license available and how do I get one?
Home use licenses are available via MyAstaro and include all subscriptions at no cost. Home user licenses are limited to ten protected IP addresses.
How do I acquire the Email Encryption functionality?
The Email Encryption functionality is included for free as part of the Mail Security Module subscription.
Which virus scan engines are available in Astaro Security Gateway?
Astaro Security Gateway uses open source as well as commercial virus scan engines. Although the virus scan engines work concurrently, they are completely independent from each other and therefore offer protection rates not found in any other UTM solution.
Which operating systems/network systems does Astaro work with?
Astaro Security Gateway interoperates with all network, server and client systems that might be connected via standard Ethernet interfaces. Astaro itself runs on its own hardened Linux OS, and does not require the pre-installation of another operating system first.
Is the performance of hardware appliances sufficient for complete protection?
Astaro’s hardware appliances are based on sophisticated Intel-compatible network systems, providing complete protection for the number of users recommended.
Can the Astaro Security Gateway 110 be upgraded to an Astaro Security Gateway 120 appliance?
Yes. Just contact your Astaro partner to arrange an upgrade key which converts your ASG 110 into a 120.
Are system updates automatically downloaded and imported?
Yes. In contrast to many other solutions, Astaro Security Gateway is able to automatically download and import not only pattern but also firmware updates.
Is it more worthwhile to invest in hardware appliances rather than software?
When it comes to installation simplicity, repair services, and optimal hardware design, hardware appliances offer many advantages in contrast to software. However software appliances might be a better alternative if you would like to use a preferred hardware option.
How do I find the right sized ASG model for my company?
Your certified Astaro partner will be able to provide you with detailed sizing guidelines for any network size.
Does the ASG offer a router function or do I need an additional router?
Astaro Security Gateway offers comprehensive router functionality including dynamic routing protocols such as OSPF, hence avoiding the need for you to maintain an additional solution just for routing in most cases.
What do I need a Proxy for?
A Proxy is essentially an application that is able to completely decode and re-encode each packet sent from a sender to a receiver. They are able to not only scan the complete packet, but also replace or change any header information (like IP addresses) or any part of the content, hence allowing the extraction of malicious components only.
Can administrator roles have different user rights?
Astaro Security Gateway currently offers two administrator roles with different rights: the standard administrator with unlimited rights and the auditor with read-only rights for certain components and reports. Looks for more roles to be available soon!
What does the 90 day warranty include?
Starting with the activation of the license key, the customer receives 90 days of software warranty. During this period, customers can use Astaro software services and web-based technical installation support free of charge.
Why is maintenance so important and why shouldn’t products be sold without them?
Astaro maintenance services not only offer valuable technical support, but also instant hardware replacement services. Pattern and software updates are also included, which are a pre-requisite for protecting your network against the latest types of threats.
With Email Encryption, can users employ S/MIME and OpenPGP simultaneously?
No. If you configure both S/MIME and OpenPGP for an individual user, emails sent by this user will be signed and encrypted using S/MIME by default.
Can users change OEM or appliance licenses into software licenses or use with other machines?
Please contact your certified Astaro Partner or reseller for more information on licenses exchanges.
Astaro Web Gateway |
Is it possible to mix Astaro Security Gateways and Astaro Web Gateways in a single network?
Yes. You can use an Astaro Web Gateway in the same network as an Astaro Securtiy Gateway and make use of all functions and features of both solutions. Note that the ASG provides all the same abilities as the AWG.
Is it possible to upgrade from an Astaro Web Gateway to an Astaro Security Gateway?
No. Astaro Web Gateway is designed as a web security product and cannot be upgraded to the Unified Threat Management functionality of Astaro Security Gateway.
Are there additional modules or subscriptions available for Astaro Web Gateway?
Astaro Web Gateway is designed as a web security product and comes with a special web subscription. Further subscriptions or options are not available.
Is it possible to apply an Astaro Web Gateway hardware license on a Astaro Web Gateway virtual appliance and vice versa?
No. Astaro’s hardware and software products use different licensing models. They are not interchangeable.
Will the Astaro Web Gateway continue to function when the maintenance has expired?
Yes. As long as your subscriptions have not expired, the security applications will continue to function. However, they will not receive any pattern or firmware updates and will therefore be vulnerable to new threats within days.
Is it possible to upgrade from a small hardware appliance to a larger appliance?
While there is no "standard" upgrade path for hardware appliances, you are able to easily increase the performance of your hardware appliance by adding another similar unit and running both as a cluster. You are able to cluster up to a maximum of 10 units. You can also contact your Astaro Partner for any other upgrade options that are available to you.
Is there a home user license available for Astaro Web Gateway?
No. However, the Astaro Security Gateway home user license contains all the web security features found in Astaro Web Gateway. Astaro Security Gateway home use licenses are available via MyAstaro.
When should I use Astaro Web Gateway?
Astaro Web Gateway is designed for customers who would like to keep their existing firewall solutions and require comprehensive web security via a high performance solution.
Does Astaro Web Gateway support Astaro Report Manager?
Yes, Astaro Web Gateway is supported by Astaro Report Manager.
Astaro Mail Gateway |
Is it possible to mix Astaro Security Gateways and Astaro Mail Gateways in a single network?
Yes. You can use an Astaro Mail Gateway in the same network as an Astaro Security Gateway and make use of all functions and features of both solutions. Note that the ASG provides all the same abilities as the AMG.
Is it possible to upgrade from an Astaro Mail Gateway to an Astaro Security Gateway or Astaro Web Gateway?
No. Astaro Mail Gateway is designed as a mail security product and cannot be upgraded to Unified Threat Management functionality or combined with web security features.
Are there additional modules or subscriptions available for Astaro Mail Gateway?
Astaro Mail Gateway is designed as a mail security product and comes with a special mail subscription. Further subscriptions or options are not available.
Is it possible to apply an Astaro Mail Gateway hardware license on a Astaro Mail Gateway virtual appliance and vice versa?
No. Astaro’s hardware and software products use different licensing models; they are not interchangeable.
Does Astaro Mail Gateway still work when the maintenance contract expired?
Yes. All security applications will continue to work until their subscription expires, too. However, without maintenance contract you will not receive any pattern or firmware updates, possibly exposing you to new security threats.
Does Astaro Mail Gateway support Astaro Report Manager?
Yes, Astaro Mail Gateway does support Astaro Report Manager.
Is it possible to upgrade from a small hardware appliance to a larger appliance?
While there is no "standard" upgrade path for hardware appliances, you are able to easily increase the performance of your hardware appliance by adding another similar unit and running both as a cluster. You are able to cluster up to a maximum of 10 units. You can also contact your Astaro Partner for any other upgrade options that are available to you.
Is there a home user license available for Astaro Mail Gateway?
No, however the Astaro Security Gateway home user license contains all the mail security features found in Astaro Mail Gateway. Astaro Security Gateway home use licenses are available for free via MyAstaro.
When should I use Astaro Mail Gateway?
Astaro Mail Gateway is designed for customers who would like to keep their existing firewall solutions and require comprehensive mail security and a high performance solution.
Is Astaro Mail Gateway supported on Astaro Command Center?
Astaro Command Center supports all Astaro appliances, the Astaro Security Gateway, Astaro Web Gateway und Astaro Mail Gateway.
Astaro Command Center |
How much does Astaro Command Center cost?
Astaro Command Center software and virtual appliances can be downloaded free of charge via MyAstaro. For Astaro Command Center Hardware Appliances, please check our Try Before You Buy offering.
What are the advantages of the hardware appliance over the software-version?
The key advantages are:
Do I need special licenses for the hardware appliances?
Yes. As with all other Astaro Gateways, special basic licenses (for each model) are required. The software/virtual appliances licenses cannot be applied to hardware and vice versa.
Can Astaro Gateway hardware, software and virtual appliances be managed by Astaro Command Center?
Yes. All types of Astaro Gateway appliances can be managed by Astaro Command Center.
How does Astaro Command Center alert about threats?
Astaro Command Center offers various views for alerting about threats, including the high level dashboard as well as detailed list views.
Astaro Report Manager |
Is it possible to use Astaro Report Manager with products from other manufacturers and how much does it cost?
Astaro Report Manager does support many third party products. Price for a one-time license starts at 795 Dollar.
What is a system identifier and when do I need one?
A system identifier includes unique system information like hardware components, MAC addresses and others, used to unambiguously identify the Astaro Report Manager server. It is needed for generating a licence key for that specific system.
Astaro VPN Clients |
Are there licensing fees for the SSL VPN Client?
No. The SSL VPN client is delivered free of charge, in unlimited quantity, with every Astaro Security Gateway appliance.
How many concurrent SSL VPN tunnels can be established?
For Astaro Security Gateway software, the number of concurrent SSL VPN tunnels is limited by the number of licensed users. For Astaro Security Gateway hardware, the limit is not set by license (except for the ASG110 model) but rather through the performance of the appliance model. Please contact your certified Astaro partner for more information.
Are VPN connections also counted as users?
Yes. Each protected device, either connected directly or via a roadwarrior VPN tunnel to the gateway, is counted as a user.
Does Astaro Secure Client also support WLAN and UMTS?
Yes. The Astaro Secure Client supports a broad range of WLAN and UMTS devices and allows monitoring and configuration of many devices directly from within the client GUI.
Are VPN connections restricted within the license size?
For VPN connections, the same restrictions apply as for any other users/IP addresses used with ASG software appliances.
Miscellaneous |
Where can I find more general and technical information?
More technical information can be found via the following resources:
Further collateral and all Astaro software downloads can be found in MyAstaro.
Is there an online demo available?
Yes. We currently have online demos available for Astaro Security Gateway, Astaro Web Gateway and Astaro Command Center.
Where can I find sales documentation such as presentations, price lists, competitive analysis etc?
This information is available through your certified Astaro partner.