Courses & Learning · Course review · Updated 17 October 2026
Network Security with Arista (Untangle) NG Firewall reviewA short course on Arista (Untangle) NG Firewall setup and its free security apps
Very good
Brent score, out of 5
A concise, practical introduction to Arista NG Firewall, the product formerly known as Untangle: installation, the dashboard, basic networking, firewall rules, web monitoring and the free 'Lite' security apps, plus OpenVPN. At about 2.5 hours with 31 lectures, it suits SMB admins who want to get a box running quickly. It has few ratings so far (4.1 out of 5 from 11 students).
Level
All levels · 2.5 hours
Instructor
Amjid Ali on Udemy
Best for
SMB IT admins evaluating or deploying Arista (Untangle) NG Firewall
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Best for
- SMB IT admins evaluating or deploying Arista (Untangle) NG Firewall
- Schools and small offices that want web monitoring and filtering
- Admins who prefer an app-based firewall over pf-style menus
- Learners who want a short course they can finish in an evening
Skip it if
- Anyone wanting deep coverage of paid Arista apps and policies
- Engineers who prefer pfSense or OPNsense
- Learners who need long, lab-heavy training
You need a proper firewall for a small office or school, with web filtering and visibility into what people are doing online, but you do not have time to learn a command-line-heavy platform. Untangle, now sold as Arista NG Firewall, promises an app-based approach that is easier to manage.
This Udemy course gets you from hardware choice to a working Arista NG Firewall: installing it, finding your way around the dashboard, connecting it to your network, writing rules, monitoring web traffic, adding free security apps and setting up OpenVPN. It is taught by Amjid Ali, the founder of this site, so keep in mind that we have a stake in it.
Here is what the 31 lectures cover and who will get the most from them.
What is Network Security with Arista (Untangle) NG Firewall?
A self-paced Udemy course marked All Levels, with 7 sections, 31 lectures and about 2.5 hours of video. It covers an introduction to Arista NG Firewall (formerly Untangle), deployment from hardware requirements to installation, configuration including the dashboard, basic networking and firewall rules, essential free security apps (web monitoring, Application Control Lite, Virus Blocker Lite, intrusion prevention, captive portal), VPN setup with OpenVPN and a commercial VPN service, and an optional networking basics section on DHCP and IP address classes.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Short and focused: 31 lectures, about 2.5 hours
- Covers hardware requirements, install options and the dashboard
- Shows the free apps: Application Control Lite, Virus Blocker Lite and web monitoring
- Includes intrusion prevention, captive portal and OpenVPN setup
- Optional networking basics section for newcomers
What could be better
- Only 11 student ratings so far, averaging 4.1/5
- Focuses on free 'Lite' apps; paid Arista features get little coverage
- Last updated in March 2025
- Several lectures cover a commercial VPN service rather than the firewall itself
Overall
Very good
- Content depth3.7
- Practicality4.2
- Value4.1
- Up to date3.9
What the course covers
What you’ll learn
- Choose hardware and install Arista (Untangle) NG Firewall
- Navigate the dashboard and configure basic networking
- Create firewall rules and monitor web traffic
- Use Application Control Lite and custom signatures
- Enable Virus Blocker Lite and intrusion prevention
- Set up a captive portal and OpenVPN remote access
Deployment basics
Hardware requirements, installation options and preparing the install media, then setting up on hardware or a virtual machine.
Dashboard and networking
Learn the Arista ETM dashboard and NG Firewall interface, configure basic networking and connect the firewall to your LAN.
Firewall rules and web monitoring
Build firewall rules and monitor web traffic to see what users and devices are doing on the network.
Free security apps
Set up Application Control Lite with custom signatures, Virus Blocker Lite, intrusion prevention and a captive portal for guests.
Remote access
Configure OpenVPN for remote users, and route traffic through a commercial VPN service.
Udemy prices change often and courses are frequently on sale, so check today's price on the course page; Udemy says eligible courses can be refunded within 30 days of purchase, subject to its refund policy.
Who gets the most from it
School network visibility
A school IT coordinator deploys NG Firewall and uses web monitoring and application control to see and limit what student devices access.
Small office upgrade
An office manager with some IT skills replaces a basic router, adds virus blocking and intrusion prevention, and gives remote staff OpenVPN.
Guest Wi-Fi control
A cafe or clinic uses the captive portal so guests accept terms before getting online, on a separate network from staff.
How to get the most from it
- 1
Check the hardware requirements lecture against your spare machine or VM
- 2
Enroll on Udemy and watch the free preview
- 3
Install Arista NG Firewall following the deployment section
- 4
Set up basic networking and your first firewall rules
- 5
Add the free security apps and test OpenVPN from outside your network
Network Security with Arista (Untangle) NG Firewall alternatives
| Product | Choose it when |
|---|---|
| Network Security with Arista (Untangle) NG Firewall 4.0 | SMB IT admins evaluating or deploying Arista (Untangle) NG Firewall |
| pfSense Firewall Training4.4 | Choose the pfSense course for a longer, more in-depth path on a free, widely used open-source firewall. |
| OPNsense Firewall Training4.0 | Choose the OPNsense course if you want an open-source firewall with frequent releases and a modern interface. |
| Mastering pfSense (book)4.2 | Choose the book if you want a written firewall reference. |
Network Security with Arista (Untangle) NG Firewall: frequently asked questions
Is Untangle the same as Arista NG Firewall?+
Yes. The course explains that Arista Next-Generation Firewall evolved from Untangle, and it teaches the product under its Arista name.
How long is the course?+
It has 7 sections and 31 lectures, about 2.5 hours of video.
Does the course cover paid Arista apps?+
It focuses on the free tools, such as Application Control Lite, Virus Blocker Lite, intrusion prevention, captive portal and OpenVPN. Paid apps get little coverage.
Do I need networking knowledge?+
Basic networking knowledge such as TCP/IP helps. There is an optional networking basics section on DHCP and IP address classes.
Who teaches it?+
Amjid Ali, the founder of this site. He has a 4.4 instructor rating on Udemy across his courses.
Can I get a refund?+
Udemy says eligible courses can be refunded within 30 days of purchase, subject to its refund policy.
Final verdict
Is Network Security with Arista (Untangle) NG Firewall worth it?
If you are deploying Arista (Untangle) NG Firewall for a small office or school and want the essentials fast, this short course covers setup, rules, free security apps and VPN in one sitting. Watch the preview and enroll at today's Udemy price.
Enroll on UdemyAffiliate link · we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Reviewed by
Amjid Ali, Founder and editor
Amjid Ali is a Melbourne-based AI and automation lead, author of five books on infrastructure, automation and digital transformation, and a corporate trainer whose courses on n8n, Proxmox, firewalls and ERP have taught thousands of IT professionals.
Last updated 17 October 2026 · How we review
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