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CacheGuard-OS
Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
What it is
CacheGuard-OS is a Linux-based operating system that turns a machine into a network appliance for securing and optimizing traffic. It combines firewalling, IPsec VPN, web application security, content caching, antivirus inspection and traffic shaping. It runs on x86 and x64 hardware, either on bare metal or as a virtual machine, including VMware, Hyper-V and Proxmox. Administrators can configure appliances through a CLI or browser-based Web GUI; a Manager installation can centrally manage multiple Gateways. Network tools include stateful packet filtering, NAT and PAT, certificate management, URL filtering, and a WAF that can use custom rules and IP reputation lists. WAN features include HTTP compression and multi-WAN routing with automatic failover. Downloads include ISO images and OVA virtual editions, including free editions for a 10-user Gateway and a Manager for two Gateways. CacheGuard-OS is free to use, with optional paid subscriptions for URL blacklists and extended antivirus signatures. The listed Free plan is free. Basic support is free; Standard and Premium support require paid subscriptions.
For and against
For
- Runs on bare metal or supported virtual machines.
- CLI and browser-based Web GUI configuration.
- Manager can manage multiple Gateways centrally.
- Free editions include a 10-user Gateway.
- Multi-WAN routing includes automatic failover.
Against
- Optional blacklist and extended antivirus updates are paid subscriptions.
- Standard and Premium support require paid subscriptions.
- Support contracts apply to one appliance serial number.
The verdict
CacheGuard-OS brings several network security and traffic functions into one appliance, with physical and virtual deployment options. Check optional update subscriptions and support-contract limits against your deployment needs.
Who it suits
It suits organizations seeking a self-hosted Linux network appliance with firewall, VPN, web filtering and WAN features. It may also suit administrators who need to manage multiple Gateways centrally.
Plans and prices
CacheGuard-OS
Free indefinitely; install capacity selected during setup; excess capacity can slow or block traffic
Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
On the record
- Consolidated functions
- The platform combines firewalling, VPN, web application security, content caching, antivirus inspection and traffic shaping.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- CacheGuard-OS is available for x86 and x64 machines and supports bare-metal or virtual-machine installation, including VMware, Hyper-V and Proxmox.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Download formats
- Downloads include installation ISO images and OVA virtual editions, including free editions for a 10-user Gateway and a Manager for two Gateways.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- CacheGuard-OS is free to use, while the aggregate OS is governed by the CacheGuard License Agreement and CacheGuard Technologies software is licensed under GPLv3.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Management
- Appliances can be configured through a CLI or a browser-based Web GUI, and a Manager installation can centrally manage multiple Gateways.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Network protection
- Its firewall uses stateful packet filtering, NAT and PAT, and the maker says common attacks including DoS, SYN flood and IP spoofing are blocked by default.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Optional updates
- URL blacklists and extended antivirus signatures are optional subscription services, and the page states one blacklist download per day per category and public IP.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- CacheGuard-OS is a Linux-based operating system designed to secure and optimize network traffic by turning a machine into a network appliance.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Security of downloads
- The maker recommends verifying downloads with GPG and publishes SHA1 signatures and PGP signatures for its listed OS images.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- Basic support is free; Standard and Premium require paid subscriptions, with stated maximum response delays of next business day and 10 hours respectively.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support limit
- Standard and Premium support contracts apply to one appliance serial number, and a Manager contract does not cover the Gateways it manages.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- VPN and PKI
- It supports IPsec VPN and includes a PKI for certificate management and an embedded OCSP server for certificate revocation.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- WAF
- The WAF can use generic filters, custom regular-expression rules, IP reputation lists and antivirus scanning to protect web applications.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- WAN optimization
- Features include web caching, HTTP compression, traffic shaping and multi-WAN routing with automatic failover when a WAN connection is unavailable.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Web filtering integrations
- URL filtering supports blacklists, whitelists and regular expressions, and can work with LDAP or AD/Kerberos authentication servers.cacheguard.com · read 7 Oct 2026
