F5 BIG-IP software from Seattle-based F5 Networks is a load balancing and application protection solution suite available on cloud or via virtual editions, on a subscription or perpetual licensing basis.
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Ivanti Connect Secure
Score 8.8 out of 10
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Ivanti Connect Secure provides an SSL VPN solution for remote and mobile users from any web-enabled device to corporate resources - anytime, anywhere. Connect Secure (ICS) is a widely-deployed SSL VPN for organizations of any size, across every major industry.
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Pricing
F5 BIG-IP
Ivanti Connect Secure
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
F5 BIG-IP
Ivanti Connect Secure
Free Trial
No
No
Free/Freemium Version
No
No
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
No
Yes
Entry-level Setup Fee
No setup fee
Required
Additional Details
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More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
F5 BIG-IP
Ivanti Connect Secure
Considered Both Products
F5 BIG-IP
No answer on this topic
Ivanti Connect Secure
Verified User
Engineer
Chose Ivanti Connect Secure
The F5 product was more complicated to manage and requires more time to get used to. Juniper VPN is simpler. F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager may be better if you need other side solutions like load balancing and GSLB. So, it really depends on your requirements.
Definitely in larger environments, more mature organizations that obviously have the budget to spend and want best in class. Where it struggles is those organizations that don't have the funding and money to spend on it and need more basic functionality. So I'd say that's smaller customers we've worked with and kind of mid-market. They tend to get scared when they get the quotes. Also we've had some struggles with account team consistency. So for the sales team, just a lot of turnover and a lot of missteps on customer calls.
Pulse SDP is well suited in an environment where the majority of employees are working remotely or have extensive business travel. In today's environment where cybersecurity is of the utmost importance for all organizations, Pulse SDP provides a solid level of security for those remote employees or those traveling.
I mean from a basic level, it actually satisfies all the use cases we have, which is basically to have multiple web servers for the front end and then you want that to be equally split across. The traffic comes in from all over the world. We use DRA protection and everything, but then we also internally want to make sure all the servers are being utilized and we provide much more availability across all servers. We just make sure BIG-IP sits in between and handles the traffic accordingly. And it's pretty basic and it comes to drawing traffic. It's pretty easy to configure and set it up and then forget.
Recently we have been deploying F5 web application firewall and we have started the deployment. We have already moved applications out there, but we are not yet to the point wherein I could comment any positive feedback or any negative feedback because we are still going through it, right. But as far as I'm concerned, I don't see any drawbacks or any shortcomings on the F5 product lineup.
The option to connect before logging in using Network Connect is EOL, and the alternative is not good enough currently (requires machine authentication).
It's not difficult to understand the parts of application configurations and features. Setting up new virtual servers with multiple profiles, certificates, and nodes is easy for new users through the web interface, which also translates to programability in scripts, DevOps, or other configuration management use-cases. Users from different backgrounds such as networking and infrastructure can use F5 BIG-IP, while users who are familiar with API calls can easily configure objects without needing to understand the platform at all.
On the occasions when we've had to engage f5 support, they have been great. They have always resolved our issues quickly and been easy to work with and professional. The reason I give them a 10 out of 10, however, is because when we've had issues that have crossed over between the f5 BIG-IP, our Cisco switches, and our Microsoft IIS server the f5 support representatives have been extremely knowledgeable about every product and device involved and have been able to troubleshoot end-to-end without having to engage other vendors.
At Adecco, first and foremost, we have Pulse SDP easy to use for our employees. This is a critical factor for us because employees are spending much less time calling into support than engaged in high payoff activities. However, when I have called in for support, Pulse SDP has been responsive and effective.
That's the one thing that really stood out. It was a lot easier to use from an administrator standpoint, so I think that's the one thing that really made our team decide to go with this product versus another competitor. Just ease of use.
The F5 product was more complicated to manage and requires more time to get used to. Juniper VPN is simpler. F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager may be better if you need other side solutions like load balancing and GSLB. So, it really depends on your requirements.
