Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server

ISA Server is part of the Microsoft .NET Enterprise Server family, which comprises a comprehensive set of server applications for quickly building, deploying, and managing scalable and integrated Web-based solutions and services. Designed with mission-critical performance and integration in mind, the .NET Enterprise Servers are built from the ground up for interoperability using open Web standards such as XML. The .NET Enterprise Servers, along with the Windows 2000 operating system, supply the foundation for the .NET platform, which enables the third-generation Internet: where software is delivered as a service; is accessible by any device, at any time and any place; and is fully programmable and customizable. Microsoft explicitly designed the .NET platform to enable the rapid development, integration, and orchestration of any group of Web services and applications into a single comprehensive solution.

ISA Server is an extensible enterprise firewall and Web-cache server that integrates with Windows 2000 for policy-based security, acceleration, and management of Internetworking. ISA Server provides two tightly integrated modes: a multilayer firewall and a high-performance Web-cache server. The firewall provides filtering at the packet, circuit, and application layers; stateful inspection to examine data crossing the firewall; control of access policy; and routing of traffic. The cache improves network performance and the user experience by storing frequently requested Web content. You can deploy the firewall and cache on dedicated servers separately, or integrated on the same box. Sophisticated management tools simplify policy definition, traffic routing, server publishing, and monitoring. ISA Server builds on Windows 2000 security, directory, VPN, and bandwidth control. Whether deployed as a set of separate firewall and cache servers or in integrated mode, ISA Server can enhance network security, enforce consistent Internet usage policy, accelerate Internet access, and maximize employee productivity for organizations of all sizes.

ISA Server 2000 Enterprise Edition is Microsoft’s scalable enterprise firewall and Web-caching server. Microsoft designed ISA Server Enterprise Edition to meet the performance, management, and scalability needs of high-volume Internet traffic environments with centralized server management, multiple levels of access policy, and fault tolerance. ISA Server Enterprise Edition provides fast, secure, and scalable Internet connectivity for mission-critical environments.

Administrators must secure the network access points of corporate networks against hackers and unauthorized access. Blocking traffic and shutting down ports aren’t sufficient or feasible in an Internet-connected organization. Having security solutions that “look inside” network traffic to validate application-specific requests mitigates risks. ISA Server Enterprise Edition provides organizations with the stateful-packet inspection and application-layer firewall protection required to protect against today’s sophisticated attacks. With ISA Server Enterprise Edition’s application-level filtering technology, you can mitigate attacks such as Code Red and Nimda at the firewall before they enter company networks.

ISA Server Enterprise Edition integrates with Microsoft Management Console (MMC) and AD to provide a single directory to validate and manage all access requests for application data or services. This enables consolidation of access control and authorization policy in a centrally managed, replicated, and secure repository. ISA Server Enterprise Edition is also designed to work best with Exchange 2000 and IIS to provide fast and secure access to email and Web content.

The following sections describe some of the more significant product capabilities of ISA Server.