The new XGS Series desktop appliances, recently launched by Sophos Firewall, have been specifically designed for distributed locations such as retail franchises and branch offices. These remote locations often lack an on-site IT staff, making firewall installations challenging due to limited resources.
With the introduction of true zero-touch deployment in v20 MR1, Sophos Firewall takes it a step further with the new 2nd Gen XGS Series desktop appliances, which are the first products to come equipped with this capability out of the box. This feature allows for easy deployment with zero touch, eliminating the need for additional fees or professional services that some other vendors may require.
One of the key benefits of Sophos’ zero-touch deployment is that it does not require a USB device, making the process even simpler. The firewall will automatically connect to Sophos Central to download configuration information, streamlining the deployment process.
For those who still prefer to use a USB device, that option is still available. The zero-touch solution offers flexibility to cater to different preferences and scenarios.
The process of zero-touch deployment involves a few simple steps:
1. Add the new firewall in Sophos Central.
2. Drop-ship the device to the desired location and connect it to the Internet.
3. The firewall will automatically connect to Sophos Central.
4. Complete the configuration in Sophos Central.
To provide a visual overview of how zero-touch deployment works, a demo video is available for reference. This video showcases the seamless process of setting up the firewall with minimal manual intervention, emphasizing the simplicity and efficiency of the zero-touch deployment feature.
For detailed information and guidance on zero-touch deployment, users can refer to the online documentation provided by Sophos Central. This resource offers comprehensive instructions and best practices for a successful deployment process.
In addition to zero-touch deployment, upgrading from the XG Series to the latest XGS Series appliances is made easy with the new any-to-any backup/restore assistant with port mapping. This feature allows for a smooth transition and ensures that configurations are seamlessly transferred to the new devices.
To perform the upgrade, users can follow these steps:
1. Take a configuration backup of the XG Series device before deploying the new XGS Series.
2. Once the new device is online, it will automatically upgrade the firmware to the latest release.
3. Restore the backup of the XG Series device to the new firewall using the port-mapping assistant.
4. Re-register the firewall with Sophos Central to ensure continued connectivity and management.
For more information on the 2nd Generation XGS Series desktop firewalls and their features, users can refer to the launch announcement and video provided by Sophos Firewall. These resources offer a detailed overview of the capabilities and benefits of the new appliances, highlighting their ease of deployment and user-friendly features.