Content filter query... what's the best? 1

[cajuntank]

I am in charge of a K-12 network for over 1600 nodes. I am looking to replace our outdated, yet still somewhat working, Cisco Content/Cache Engine with Websense 5.X.

I have a Sonicwall 5060 Pro series appliance that will have content filtering (premium package) included, but I don't think this will be as in depth as I want it to be. So I am looking and investigating dedicated appliances that do content filtering & protocol shaping. I'll let my Sonicwall do the IPS, Anti-X, Firewall functions, and maybe content filterng as a failover should this "new" appliance fail.

I have talked to a salesperson and asked about some product and inquired about Barracuda's box. He said it was a good box, but mentioned that I'd be happy with a box from Cymphonix. He said in his opinion it had more functionality and was 50% better than the Barracuda.

I will do a demo of the box, but I would like to know what some other people are using and what they like or dislike about their solution?

TIA

 

[bezking]

OpenDNS.com works every time for my network, and it's FREE!

 

[cajuntank]

I've been told about the OpenDNS site before for poing your forwarders to. As soon as I get away from my currrent provider (forced to use their DNS, firewall, bla bla), I'm going to try them out.
Do you use any type of hardware based filtering?