Production Status USG20W-VPN (USG FLEX 50W): Discontinued?

SierraTech

Greetings,

I was looking to purchase another USG20W-VPN (USG FLEX 50W) for a client and have been told by vendor it has been discontinued.

Is this indeed the case?

Zyxel_Judy

Hi @SierraTech and @DeanH ,

The USG FLEX 50AX offers:

• No UTM license requirement to run USG FLEX 50AX as an SPI firewall. You only add the UTM if you want to use some advance security features.
• Support for up to 64 concurrent logged-in devices if you deployed the authentication feature (e.g. web authentication). However, if you merely use DHCP for your LAN devices without authentication, it won't be limited by "64". Note that: Generally, the device's user number will vary depending on which features are enabled.
• Flexible management options through either Nebula cloud or the local Web Configurator interface

For detailed specifications, please refer to the USG FLEX 50AX datasheet.

electsystech

I think it's been replaced with the Flex 50AX https://www.zyxel.com/us/en-us/products/next-gen-firewall/usg-flex-firewall-usg-flex-50ax

Zyxel_Judy

Hi @SierraTech ,

As @electsystech mentioned, the USG20W-VPN (USG FLEX 50W) has been replaced by the USG FLEX 50AX, which supports wireless standards 802.11 ax/ac/n/g/b/a, while the USG20W-VPN only supports 802.11 ac/n/g/b/a.

In the U.S., you can purchase these devices through U.S. distributors/resellers

https://www.zyxel.com/us/en-us/where-to-buy/distributors

or from the Zyxel online store

https://store.zyxel.com/

SierraTech

Thank you @electsystech and @Zyxel_Judy!

I reviewed the website, and vendor specifications. I have some questions or clarifications listed below:

1. Please verify, to use SPI firewall, does it require "UTM Security Pack license"
   unlike USG FLEX 50W?
2. Number of users is limited to 10. Hopefully this is applies to VPN users only?
3. I assume Nebula is an option, and still can be accessed and configured using "Web Configurator"?

Thank you for your assitance, I ordered a USG FLEX 50W for my client, since I have deployed them in the past, and looking for a solution that does not require yearly license to use ZYWALL.

-Bob

mMontana

For point 3, "non AX" version still can be accessed and configure via "Web Configurator". Internet connection mandatory at setup, firmware update mandatory during setup before any actual configuration, password change mandatory at first login.

And trial start mandatory while starting configuration. Take care to verify any subscription-based service is disabled if you're not using them.

DeanH

We are also looking for a replacement for the USG FLEX 50W.

So, the USG FLEX 50AX is only able to be managed by Nebula? What is the per unit cost on that?

Looking on the ZyXEL online store it is out of stock. We will be checking with the distributors.

mMontana

So, the USG FLEX 50AX is only able to be managed by Nebula?

I'm sorry for this phrase, @DeanH because i was telling exactly the opposite.

I'm quoting myself, with some addons

________________________________________________________________________________________

For point 3, "non AX" version still can be accessed and configured via "Web Configurator", without using Nebula.

In this phase, a Internet connection is anyway mandatory.

At first login, the standard password might be requested for a change. So forced logout and relogin after changing password.

At second login, you'll be forced to update your device to the latest firmware available. At the end of update, mandatory reboot and re-login.

At third login, you will be prompted for take one of the two routes: Nebula or locally managed. then you start configur that.

AFAIK there is only one firmware, and you can choose between two paths. If you take the Nebula path you need to delete it from your nebula account (not only remove it from a site, but delete it from the account) and then reset it, or otherwhise will be taken "hostage" from Nebula at any reset.

________________________________________________________________________________________

All above applies only to "USG Flex 50 AX"

USG Flex 50H is a totally different device which is Nebula only, currently.

Zyxel_Judy

Hi @SierraTech and @DeanH ,

The USG FLEX 50AX offers:

• No UTM license requirement to run USG FLEX 50AX as an SPI firewall. You only add the UTM if you want to use some advance security features.
• Support for up to 64 concurrent logged-in devices if you deployed the authentication feature (e.g. web authentication). However, if you merely use DHCP for your LAN devices without authentication, it won't be limited by "64". Note that: Generally, the device's user number will vary depending on which features are enabled.
• Flexible management options through either Nebula cloud or the local Web Configurator interface

For detailed specifications, please refer to the USG FLEX 50AX datasheet.

electsystech

All the flex 50 series can be managed without Nebula.

SierraTech

@Zyxel_Judy

Thank you for clarification!

I went ahead and ordered a USG20W-VPN, and vendor shipped a USG20-VPN which did not please me at all. I can use USG20-VPN since I'm going to deploy APs for WiFi, hopefully I will see a partial credit.

I didn't wnt to order the AX until I knew the answers you provided.

Thanks again!