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SPECIFICTION
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CacheGuard-OS

cacheguard.com

Free plan WebLinuxSelf-hosted
Visit cacheguard.com
Spec score 8.2 #4 of 29 in Firewall Management Software

What it is

CacheGuard-OS turns an x86 or x64 machine into a Linux network appliance for securing and optimizing network traffic. Its combined functions include firewalling, IPsec VPN, web application security, content caching, antivirus inspection and traffic shaping. Install it on bare metal or as a virtual machine, including VMware, Hyper-V and Proxmox. Administrators can configure an appliance through a CLI or browser-based Web GUI; a Manager can centrally manage multiple Gateways. The firewall uses stateful packet filtering, NAT and PAT, and the maker says it blocks common attacks such as DoS, SYN flood and IP spoofing by default. URL filtering supports lists and regular expressions, with LDAP or AD/Kerberos authentication. The WAF offers generic and custom filters, IP reputation lists and antivirus scanning. WAN tools include HTTP compression and multi-WAN routing with automatic failover. The OS is free to use. Optional subscriptions cover URL blacklists and extended antivirus signatures; Standard and Premium support also require paid subscriptions.

Spec sheet

Purpose
CacheGuard-OS is a Linux-based operating system designed to secure and optimize network traffic by turning a machine into a network appliance.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
Deployment
CacheGuard-OS is available for x86 and x64 machines and supports bare-metal or virtual-machine installation, including VMware, Hyper-V and Proxmox.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
Support
Basic support is free; Standard and Premium require paid subscriptions, with stated maximum response delays of next business day and 10 hours respectively.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
Headquarters
Issy-les-Moulineaux, FranceRead 28 Sep 2026 · cacheguard.com
Consolidated functions
The platform combines firewalling, VPN, web application security, content caching, antivirus inspection and traffic shaping.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
Management
Appliances can be configured through a CLI or a browser-based Web GUI, and a Manager installation can centrally manage multiple Gateways.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
Security of downloads
The maker recommends verifying downloads with GPG and publishes SHA1 signatures and PGP signatures for its listed OS images.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
Support limit
Standard and Premium support contracts apply to one appliance serial number, and a Manager contract does not cover the Gateways it manages.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
VPN and PKI
It supports IPsec VPN and includes a PKI for certificate management and an embedded OCSP server for certificate revocation.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
WAF
The WAF can use generic filters, custom regular-expression rules, IP reputation lists and antivirus scanning to protect web applications.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
WAN optimization
Features include web caching, HTTP compression, traffic shaping and multi-WAN routing with automatic failover when a WAN connection is unavailable.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com
Web filtering integrations
URL filtering supports blacklists, whitelists and regular expressions, and can work with LDAP or AD/Kerberos authentication servers.Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com

Plans and prices

CacheGuard-OS Free Free indefinitely; install capacity selected during setup; excess capacity can slow or block traffic Read 7 Oct 2026 · cacheguard.com

Every CacheGuard-OS plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Combines firewall, VPN, WAF, caching and traffic shaping.
  • Runs on bare metal or virtual machines.
  • Manager can centrally manage multiple Gateways.
  • Multi-WAN routing supports automatic failover.
  • Basic support is free.

Limits

  • Optional blacklist and antivirus signatures require subscriptions.
  • Standard and Premium support are paid.
  • Standard and Premium support cover one appliance serial number.

Who it suits

It suits organizations seeking a self-hosted network appliance with traffic security, filtering and WAN optimization in one system. A CLI, browser GUI and central Manager offer different ways to configure appliances.

Verdict

CacheGuard-OS combines network security and optimization functions, with both command-line and browser-based management. The OS is free to use, while selected security updates and higher support tiers are optional paid services.

Where Specifiction places it

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