Firewalls Under Central Control: Multi-Vendor Management with the COD Module
Firewalls are the backbone of every enterprise IT – and at the same time often the unloved "stepchild" of daily admin work. Whether it is updates, rule maintenance, alias synchronization, or VPN monitoring: anyone managing multiple sites or tenants quickly gets lost in "interface hopping."
Especially in heterogeneous environments where, alongside classics like pfSense , specialized solutions such as DynFi or the solution preferred by Secure 2 Fiber, AIMdefense , are in use, central management has been a challenge until now.
The COD Firewall module solves this problem. We bring order to your infrastructure and consolidate the management of different firewall systems into a single, multi-tenant interface.
One Interface for All: AIMdefense, OPNsense, pfSense & DynFi
The COD module was designed to cover the entire lifecycle of your security infrastructure – across vendors and true to real-world practice.
1. Centralized Device and Update Management
No more paper-chasing with version numbers. COD supports the admin with:
- Cross-vendor overview: See the status of AIMdefense, OPNsense, pfSense, and DynFi in a single list.
- Automation: The system regularly checks the status and availability of all connected firewalls.
- Bulk management: Roll out configurations or updates efficiently without having to log in to each individual web GUI.
2. Intelligent Alias and Zone Management
Whether AIMdefense or pfSense – the logic behind your rules should be consistent.
- Central repository: Maintain aliases (IPs, networks, ports) centrally in the COD database and push them back to the respective devices in a targeted way.
- Safety check: COD detects nested references across system boundaries and prevents the accidental deletion of objects still in use.
- Zone concept: Group firewalls by site or security zone. A new alias for the "Headquarters" site is automatically distributed to all firewalls there – no matter which vendor is in the rack.
3. Real-Time Monitoring & SSH Terminal
No more switching between different monitoring tools.
- Metrics at a glance: CPU, RAM, and traffic data from all systems flow directly into the COD dashboard.
- Direct access: Need to dig deep into the configuration? Launch, directly from COD, an SSH session in the browser. The credentials are stored securely, so you can work on the console without any detours.
Security & Compliance Through Automation
- Certificate management: COD monitors the expiration dates of certificates and CA chains. Timely email notifications prevent the sudden failure of VPNs or web services.
- Backup strategy: Store configuration backups of your AIMdefense, DynFi, or pfSense instances centrally and in each vendor's official format.
- Maintenance planning: Integrate planned maintenance windows directly into the COD calendar. That way the whole team knows when each firewall is scheduled for work.
Honest Engineering: Flexibility as Standard
We at extocode know that the IT world is constantly changing. Our module is designed to leverage the strengths of each system:
- Preference for AIMdefense: Thanks to our close partnership with Secure 2 Fiber, AIMdefense is optimally integrated and, for many of our customers, the first choice for high-security environments.
- Openness: Whether OPNsense derivatives like DynFi or the classic pfSense – we use modern APIs (REST) or secure fallback methods (SSH/XML) to ensure maximum compatibility.
Conclusion: The Freedom to Choose, the Security of Control
With the COD Firewall module, you choose flexibility. You are not locked into a single vendor but use the system that best fits your site – while management stays central, efficient, and secure in COD.
Would you like to integrate AIMdefense or your existing OPNsense/pfSense landscape into COD?
Contact us for a live demo. We'd be happy to show you how to take your firewall management to the next level!