The Top Layer IPS offers good protection features. This product
includes what Top Layer calls Three Dimensional Protection. This device
uses the IPS for protection against malicious content, a firewall that
uses stateful packet filtering, and protection from denial of service
and other rate-based attacks. This product is capable of handling a
wide range of threats, including worms, viruses, spyware, P2P
applications, file-based remote exploits, trojans, DDoS and exploits of
Microsoft vulnerabilities.
We found this product simple to use. Deployment takes just a few
minutes and the device is almost completely set-up out of the box. The
Java-based webGUI is clean and well organized with an intuitive
navigation structure. We found setting policy to be simple and
straightforward as well. Just a few quick clicks of the mouse and the
appliance was up and running.
This device performed very well throughout our testing. We found
that the simplicity of setting the policy and configuring the rule set
really helped in keeping the protected devices safe. Once we configured
the policy this box kept all attacks from getting through.
This product comes with excellent documentation. The quick start
card states, "IPS protection in less than 30 minutes." We found this to
be exactly the case. The steps are well organized and the set-up
procedure is easy to follow. Also provided is the configuration and
management guide. This guide gives considerable detail on tweaking
settings, advanced configuration and setting up logging and reporting.
This guide is well written and easy to read and contains many
screenshots and topology diagrams.
Top Layer does have a few support resources on their website —
including an FAQ section, as well as white papers and case studies —
but most of their support is offered via contracts. Support offered via
contract includes many features, but most important are updates and
24x7 tech and emergency phone support.
At a price of roughly $35,000 this product sits on the higher end of
the scale for IPS. However, this device or several devices can also be
used with the Top Layer SecureCommand Center, which can manage many
other security devices all in one place using the Top Layer Network
Security Analyzer. This device provides a lot of protection and
flexibility for a good price.
SC Magazine has awarded IPS 5500-150E v 5.12 its Best Buy.