SonicWall + Aventail + Next Move?

This is an excellent combination and a good deal for both companies. SonicWall picks up a SSL VPN-based, remote access gateway with policy-based, access controls and endpoint security FAR RICHER than SonicWall's own SSL VPN products. Aventail gains channel strength and no longer carries an unbearable cost structure as an independent vendor with a single product line (Aventail lost $10M on $18M of revenue in 2006.)

Now SonicWall needs to acquire advanced NAC technology that deals with both remote and local access and integrate its individual access products - including its own network intrusion prevention product. This will take at least 18 to 24 months. Meanwhile the highly competitive "access gateway" landscape is changing rapidly. (A comprehensive analysis of the evolving admission and access control marketplace is available at the Secure Access Central security portal.) SonicWall appears capable and committed to becoming a top-tier access control vendor but this will remain a difficult challenge.