C H A P T E R
1-1
Cisco PIX Device Manager Installation Guide
78-15483-01
1
Overview
This chapter describes the Cisco PIX Device Manager (PDM) Version 3.0 and the system requirements
for this version.
Note
In this guide, the term “PIX Firewall” refers to all models running PIX Firewall software Version 6.3
unless specifically noted. PIX Firewall software Version 6.3 is required for PDM Version 3.0.
This chapter includes the following sections:
•
Introduction, page 1
•
Data Encryption Overview, page 2
•
PIX Firewall System Requirements, page 4
•
PC/Workstation Requirements, page 6
Introduction
Cisco PIX Device Manager (PDM) is a graphical user interface (GUI) that manages Cisco PIX Firewalls.
PDM, a signed Java applet, uses certificates and HTTPS (HTTP over SSL) to securely transmit
information between PDM and the PIX Firewall. (Enter “https” in your browser to use HTTPS.)
PDM provides the following:
•
GUI—Lets you configure, manage, and monitor security policies across a network.
•
PDM Startup Wizard—Creates a basic configuration that allows packets to flow securely through
the PIX Firewall from the inside to the outside network.
•
VPN Wizard—Creates a basic configuration that lets you easily set up a remote access VPN or
site-to-site VPN.
•
Monitoring and Reporting Tools—Provides real-time and historical data, summarizing network
activity, resource utilization and event logs, allowing performance and trend analysis. You can detect
and interrupt unusual activity with PDM’s logging and notification.
•
Graphical Tools—Creates graphical summary reports showing real-time usage, security events, and
network activity. Data from each graph can be displayed in increments you select (10 second
snapshot, last 10 minutes, last 60 minutes, last 12 hours, last 5 days) and refreshed at user-defined
intervals. You can view multiple graphs simultaneously to do side-by-side analysis.
–
System graphs: Provides detailed status information on the PIX Firewall, including blocks used
and free, current memory utilization, and CPU utilization.
