Does anyone else giggle when Microsoft announces security products? The words "Microsoft" and "security" just seem to be opposites sometimes. This product, though, looks like it will get the job done.

As it happens, the Intelligent Application Gateway 2007 (heaven forbid they release a product without the year as part of the name), isn't 100% home-grown Microsoft technology. Rather, the Redmond boys bought a company called Whale Communications last summer and it is providing the underlying technology for the product. Microsoft did integrate its Internet Security and Acceleration Server (ISA Server) into the Whale Communciations software, and Voila!

Looks like two OEMs, Network Engines and Celestix Networks, are on board to produce the necessary hardware components. The products will cost between $6000 and $13000.