Watch out Barracuda, here comes the Brazilian competition

BRAZILIAN COMPANIES Bluepex and Kitframe descended on Buenos Aires to showcase an interesting line of linux powered network security appliances and anti-vandal cabinets, respectively.

While walking around the EXPOCOMM 2006 show floor, with my brain exploring the offerings looking for eye-catching and noteworthy kit, I saw from a distance what looked like Barracuda appliances... or something like the old Cobalt appliances. I was wrong: it was the Bluepex Security Solutions booth, a new and interesting sighting in this year's edition of the show.

Linux-powered Firewall and Security appliances from BluePex

BluePex, a Brazilian company, was offering its complete line of security appliances, from its Anti-spam appliances to its more advanced internet server appliance which can also act as a firewall, controlling and blocking unwanted Instant Messenger and P2P traffic.

Asked about what CPU architectures and OS they use, the company's representatives said they use "our own tweaked linux version" and about CPUs, the salesman said the low-end appliances use MIPS based RISC CPUs, while the high-end appliances use a small PC motherboard with Intel-compatible processors.

Administration screen in Portuguese language

The high-end firewall offering from BluePex, the FW-3000 offers high-end features like traffic shaping, QoS enforcement for VOIP traffic, load-balancing and VPN pass-through. Of course, all the configuration and setup can be done with a web browser, in point and click fashion. I only have one complaint: the administration screens showed were still in Portuguese language, perhaps in the hurry of transporting them to Argentina. However, the company promises to have English language firmware units next time, and also to do Spanish translations of the configuration screens.

Close-up of the BluePex hardware

Unlike in previous years, the folks at Barracuda didn't have any physical unit, just pictures and leaflets of the company's kit, which was a noticeable contrast to these newcomers from Brazil who let people touch and interact with the live appliances. Asked about pricing, the BluePex folks said they had no price lists on the show floor, but pressed about giving an indicative cost, he said "approximately $3,000 for a firewall appliance". If you consider the going prices for buying specific-function Barracuda appliances, it seems to me like this company from Brazil has an interesting pricing edge. However, it remains to be seen if the per-user licensing charges end up being more expensive than Barracuda's touted "flat charge".

BluePex security solutions is headquartered in Brazil, with offices also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has also expanded to reach the U.S. marketplace, with a distribution warehouse in Miami, Florida and a sales office in Philadelphia.

The booth showcasing Barracuda Network's kit had no units on display,
just leaflets. They didn't seem too worried about the Brazilian landing...

Kitframe / Uniklima

Telcos installing its RF equipment, routers and other expensive kit at the customer's premises, on rooftops, and even in unwatched remote locations can avoid vandalism and the stealing of equipment, while also keeping equipment running cool thanks to the company's line of heat exchangers and indoor air conditioners.

Kitframe / Uniklima booth. Bet this could be a small apartment in Tokyo?

The company's Uniklima unit creates cooling solutions for use in electric and electronic panels and cabinets. The solutions range from small air conditioners mounted outside the cabinets to "Air/Air heat exchangers" which can be mounted into indoor and outdoor cabinets. The heat exchangers create a temperature difference with the external environment, making the cabinet or panel interior usually 6 to 12 degrees cooler. The heat is removed by using opposite air flows, separated by aluminium plates and assembled in a "dissipation block".

The company's high-end offerings include internal air conditions for outdoor telecommunications equipment cabinets, which feature a backup DC-powered "emergency ventilation system" which comes to life in case of malfunction of the air conditioner or loss of power, ensuring the renewal of the internal air so that the heat generated is removed ensuring the safety of the electronic equipment while the repair crew arrives. Plus, all outdoor units are have "anti-vandal" design, with all screws on the inside of the units. You can't see a single screw from the outside, and the door lock can be completely removed, leaving the door in the locked state. Interesting kit!.µ

L'INQs:
Bluepex.com
Uniklima.com.br
KitFrame.com

See also:
Argentina, reversal of fortune
Fernando's recommended reading
EXPOCOMM Argentina 2006 coverage (updated list)
Expocomm Argentina 2005 coverage
EXPOCOMM Argentina 2004 coverage