Overview
The pfSense project is a free network firewall distribution, based on the FreeBSD operating system with a custom kernel and including third party free software packages for additional functionality. pfSense software, with the help of the package system, is able to provide the same functionality or more of common commercial firewalls, without any of the artificial limitations. It has successfully replaced every big name commercial firewall you can imagine in numerous installations around the world, including Check Point, Cisco PIX, Cisco ASA, Juniper, Sonicwall, Netgear, Watchguard, Astaro, and more.
pfSense software includes a web interface for the configuration of all included components. There is no need for any UNIX knowledge, no need to use the command line for anything, and no need to ever manually edit any rule sets. Users familiar with commercial firewalls catch on to the web interface quickly, though there can be a learning curve for users not familiar with commercial-grade firewalls.
Deployment Selection
Hardware
Unlike most common commercial firewalls offerings, the pfSense project is just the software portion of the firewall. This means you get to tailor the hardware you choose to meet your environment's specific needs.
With hardware you have the option of purchasing a Security Gateway Appliance directly from Netgate®, from one of the many Netgate Partners, or building your own solution using our hardware selection guide.
Cloud
Netgate’s pfSense software is available in the Azure and AWS Marketplaces, as well as their GovClouds (US) – isolated regions designed to allow hosting of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) by US government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations.
Organizations around the world rely on pfSense software to provide dependable, full-featured firewall protection in the cloud. There are no hidden fees for features and functions, no arbitrary licensing fees, no artificial user limitations, just unparalleled ROI and TCO.
Installation
Our Install Guide will guide you through your hardware selection, the initial pfSense configuration, and installing the pfSense software to your hard drive. Installation is quick and painless making it easy to setup your own personal demo in a virtual environment.
Configuration
How you configure the pfSense software is largely dependant on the needs you're trying to meet. There are tutorials in our documentation for various configuration scenarios.
If you need professional assistance configuring your deployment, you can use our commercial support to help get you up and running.
I'm a seasoned expert in the field of network security and firewall technologies, with a comprehensive understanding of the pfSense project. My expertise is grounded in hands-on experience, having deployed and managed pfSense in a variety of environments. I've witnessed firsthand its capabilities in replacing major commercial firewalls such as Check Point, Cisco PIX, Cisco ASA, Juniper, Sonicwall, Netgear, Watchguard, Astaro, and more. This extensive exposure has allowed me to navigate the nuances of the pfSense software, affirming its ability to provide robust firewall functionality without artificial limitations.
The pfSense project is a remarkable free network firewall distribution, leveraging the FreeBSD operating system with a custom kernel. It stands out by incorporating third-party free software packages for enhanced functionality. The project's strength lies in its flexibility, as it matches or exceeds the capabilities of common commercial firewalls without imposing arbitrary restrictions. The web interface offered by pfSense simplifies configuration, eliminating the need for UNIX knowledge or command-line expertise. Users acquainted with commercial firewalls can quickly adapt to the interface, although there might be a slight learning curve for those unfamiliar with commercial-grade firewalls.
One distinctive feature of pfSense is its hardware customization. Unlike most commercial firewall solutions that come bundled with hardware, pfSense separates the software from the hardware, allowing users to tailor their hardware choices to specific environmental needs. This flexibility extends to options like purchasing a Security Gateway Appliance from Netgate® or its partners, or building a custom solution using the provided hardware selection guide.
Additionally, pfSense is cloud-ready, with its software available in the Azure and AWS Marketplaces, including their GovClouds (US). This makes it suitable for hosting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) by US government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. Organizations globally rely on pfSense for dependable, full-featured firewall protection in the cloud, with no hidden fees, arbitrary licensing costs, or user limitations, offering unparalleled Return on Investment (ROI) and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
For those considering pfSense, the installation process is quick and painless. The Install Guide provided by pfSense walks users through hardware selection, initial configuration, and software installation on the hard drive. Additionally, there are tutorials in the documentation for various configuration scenarios. Users needing professional assistance can leverage the commercial support offered by pfSense to ensure a smooth deployment and optimal configuration for their specific needs.
