Look Around Before You Buy a Firewall, and Watch Out if You Buy a SonicWALL

So, if you’re buying a SonicWALL (including model TZ205 ) as your firewall, don’t waste your money. The price that you pay for renewing the annual software and subscription plan does not include any assistance from the new seller, Western NRG to configure it once it’s installed. Dell used to sell the device but apparently Dell spun off the SonicWALL device, and Western NRG picked it up.

If you want to call it that. 

The division of labor between Dell and Western NRG takes a flow chart to understand, but if you have a problem with the device, rest assured that Dell will tell you Western NRG can fix it, and Western NRG will tell you that Dell can fix it. Neither one will, though.

Fix it, that is. They will, however, gladly take your money .

Sure, they give you software and a hardware warranty, but those provide little benefit if the device isn’t configured correctly. Which you will have to pay to get, and pay more than the device itself is worth.

Who knows of a good firewall device that also provides support? Dell and Western NRG don’t, in my humble opinion.