A Network appliance is a PC with different ports and softwares (such as PfSense firewall) designed to optimize and secure OT networks services and operations.

  • Specialized Functionality such as firewalls, routers, switches, load balancers, and intrusion detection/prevention systems

  • Rack or desktop format depending on the network size ( from 3 RJ45 ports to many copper and fiber ports)

  • Ease of Deployment

  • Optimization and Acceleration: such as content delivery network (CDN) appliances help deliver web content more efficiently by caching and serving it from servers closer to the end-users.

  • Scalability

  • Integration with Other Systems to  ensure that these appliances can be part of a larger, cohesive network infrastructure