With Shrew Soft, everything is configured easily under one tool, making it easy to switch back and forth. That can easily get messy and difficult, if the tools wind up conflicting with each other.
In a scenario where a user needs to connect to multiple networks, and if they don't have the same type of server, that user would normally have to install client software for each connection. One thing I like about Shrew Soft is the fact that it supports multiple VPN servers. There are how-tos for open source gateways including OpenSWAN, StrongSWAN, m0n0wal, and pfSense.
The Shrew Soft Website offers a thorough wiki with detailed setup instructions and screenshots on how to configure products from specific vendors. Some advanced features are supported, including Split Tunneling, Split DNS, Nat Traversal, IKE Fragmentation, Packet Pre Fragmentation, Dead Peer Detection, Hybrid XAuth and automatic client configuration.
Considering the increasing numbers of Macs in the workplace, having a single client for all platforms would make the software a much stronger competitor. The fact that Macs aren't supported is disappointing. Read Our McAfee Family Protection 2.0 Review For organizations with a heterogeneous network, Shrew Soft's software allows them to standardize on one VPN client, regardless of the operating systems running. The client supports a variety of operating systems, including Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, several Linux distributions, and OpenBSD.
It can handle Cisco VPN connections that rely on pre-shared keys or certificates (IPSec) or with An圜onnect (SSL VPN).
There are instructions on the Juniper Networks knowledgebase on configuring the client to work with SRX Services Gateway and ScreenOS firewalls, as well. The software's website has instructions on configuring the software to work with Adtran NetVanta, Check Point NGx, Cisco ASA, Cisco IOS, Cisco PIX, DrayTek, Fortigate, Fritz!Box, Juniper SSG (with and without certificates), Lancom, Linksys, NetASQ, Netgear, Sidewinder 6.x, Sidewinder 7.x, Sonicwall, and ZyXEL Zywall. Shrew Soft's VPN client is capable of working with VPN servers from several major commercial vendors, including Cisco, Zyxel, and Juniper Networks. Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. ( See how we test.) With these products, you can create a VPN connection between individual endpoints and have secure connection on the fly. If you don't have a VPN server handy-either as a stand-alone product or as a feature on a firewall or a router-you would be better served looking at one of the all-in-one VPN software such as our Editors' Choices Logmein Hamachi and Comodo Unite. If you already have a VPN server, then you should definitely consider Shrew Soft. Shrew Soft's VPN software is a true VPN client in that it connects to an existing VPN server, whether that's from the big giants such as Cisco or Juniper, or from smaller players such as Cisco's Linksys. The Shrew Soft VPN client takes the complexity out of the equation and makes establishing the VPN connection as simple as possible for the end-user. However, many of the vendor client offerings can be expensive and difficult to install. Organizations are increasingly offering employees remote VPN access to protect their network, data, and applications from outside threats. Shrew Soft VPN Client (Free) is a freely available IPSEC client for Windows and Linux machines used to connect to a Virtual Private Network.