SonicWall CSSA

SteveO86

Anyone got this? I've been elected to be the first one in my company to go to this training course and get certified. Not sure how to feel about a 2-day class, I mean useful could 2 days really be? Plus I've never used a SonicWall device so this should be interesting.

Hopefully this doesn't off-balance my QoS studies too much...

cisco_trooper

Yikes. 2-day training camp to get certified in a device you've never touched. Got it. I know nothing about the certification but this seems like a waste of time. View it as a break and don't let it set you off course. I'm not a fan of "going to training."

SteveO86

I hear you.. Either the device is going to be exceptionally easy or I am going to be spinning my wheels (Which I doubt I mean the technology of Routing, IPSec, Firewalls are essentially the same across vendor devices). Either way I need to get this certification for my company to acquire their SonicWall partnership status.

I guess your right this will be a nice break, I get to hold-up out of town (not on my dime either) so I guess this won't be all bad.

Now back to QoS labbing... (How sad am I.. I got the next 4 days off work and instead of going out I'm labbing LOL)

Bl8ckr0uter

They are easy to support and set up. It is gui based and there is a online demo that will show you all of what you need to know to get abreast of the interface. You should be fine.

SteveO86

I like your confidence!

As long as the GUI isn't like the SDM

(I'll probably look for that online demo when the class-date gets closer just so I can get a better idea of what to expect)

Bl8ckr0uter

Personally I think the gui is many many miles better than SDM and maybe a few miles better and CCP and ASDM.

SteveO86

In my opinion:
SDM = Just plain horrible
ASDM = Usable only to watch logs and see the graphs on the main page.
CCP = Unbearably slow. (I only used CCP to see NBAR traffic in a pie chart!)

CLI is just so much quicker for me anything with a GUI has to be slower. I'll be keeping an open mind with SonicWall since it is an entirely different vendor.

Slowhand

I was set to take the CSSA back in 2007, but I didn't stay with the company that required long enough for them to pay for it, and I didn't really have the interest to keep pursuing it after I had moved on. SonicWall devices aren't difficult to manage, and with your prior networking experience it should be a breeze to learn what you need to pass the exam. Since you've already got your CCNP and CCNA: Security, the primary concern you'll have is "how do I do this the SonicWall way as opposed to the Cisco way?" while you're sitting in on that class.

the_Grinch

We are a Sonicwall partner, but I'm not a huge fan of their equipment. The interface is clunky and a bit of a pain to deal with. I found it wasn't as straight forward as it could/should be. Good luck, they are really a joke compared to the Cisco stuff you are use too, so you will be fine!

Chivalry1

I will save my opinion about SonicWall. I have spent enough time on there Customer Support line just for them to tell me that that is "not an option". I rank SonicWall somewhere between firewall's Watchguard and ZoneAlarm. LOL.

Have a good 2-day vacation!!

wrwarwick

I've supported many Sonicwall devices in the past few years, and trust me, you will be absolutely, 100% okay. The GUI is very easy to pick up and use and will be no trouble with your background. And unless they have changed it, the test is open book, so, ummm, yeah, no brainer (although I know of some techs who have failed the open book exam... Shame...)

The test and certification is more of a sales pitch for Sonicwall than an actual networking certification such as a Cisco or Juniper exam. Even with one Sonicwall certified individual, an organization gets tremendous discounts on the gear.

Not sure what your companies business model is mainly, but I have seen tons of Sonicwalls in the SMB market. They are cheaper than Cisco devices, and offer standard features in one appliance that an SMB might want, such as, web filtering, virus protection, etc, along with standard networking features. They are a cheap solution for a small company with a single internet comnection, but I cannot see them being used for much more. Honestly, they are almost a glorified Linksys. Heck, my home Linksys with DD-WRT can probably do almost as much.

Hypntick

4 of the guys at work have this one, we all get to do it. From what I hear, it is insanely easy to do. Then again you've never touched the device, but if you can navigate the gui, you'll do just fine.

ptilsen

Bl8ckr0uter wrote: »

They are easy to support and set up. It is gui based and there is a online demo that will show you all of what you need to know to get abreast of the interface. You should be fine.

This.

They do have some more advanced features and you do need to learn to do things the Sonicwall way. The CSSA cert isn't tremendously valuable in and of itself, though any MSP that standardizes on Sonicwall would value it.

ParsonsJem

Steve086, if you have not already taken the training and the exam, then i wish you could luck. It is an easy couple of days as long as you understand the concepts and technology behind it.
I myself have taken this, and it was not difficult at all, the training and exam does only touch on the basic level of stuff and does not go in depth to any of the technology within the devices.
Only after the training when you actually start playing with one that you can actually see how complex but versatile they are.
I have set-up quite a few with varying depths of complexity. From single Wan connection with no real frills just locking it down for security, to 3 Wan connections with load balancing, failover and force routing traffic across particular WAN connections.

Good luck with your other studies, i wouldn't lose any sleep over this one.

SteveO86

Yea the class was very basic...... Basic LAN/WAN, with IPSec, then same specific SonicWall features..

Knowing the basics of IPSec, NAT, routing, networking and it's simple...

NightShade1

Dont like sonicwall... bleh.. i had to install that when i just entered in this company.... they stop selling it as fortinet its was a way better... and it is...sonicwall is more for really small companies or companies that does not want to spend too much money...

SteveO86

Yea I think our business model will involve Sonicwall for our small one site networks... just need something cost effective.

SteveO86

Took the class last Monday/Tuesday, took the exam a few hours ago.. Passed.. obviously since it's open book. I'd say it covered a good amount of the test was normal IPSec/NAT operation, all the rest was SonicWall specific configurations. (VPN, UTMS, Wireless, etc) If you've worked your way around a GUI a few times it's a no brainer.

Now... back to QoS!!