Chapter 1: Upgrading—Overview

Blue Coat® strongly recommends that you read this document before attempting to upgrade to SGOS 4.x from previous ProxySG operating systems.

Existing features and policies might not perform as with previous versions, and upgrading to this version might require some additional configuration tuning. This SGOS version provides high security for the network, so when downgrading to previous versions, not all configurations and policies are retained.

Changes Between SGOS 3.x and SGOS 4.x

Unlike SGOS 3.x, SGOS 4.x does not permit upgrades from SGOS 2.x or CacheOS 4.x. All systems must be upgraded to SGOS 3.2.4 before being upgraded to SGOS 4.x. For information on the correct upgrade path, see Table 2.1, “Upgrade Paths” on page 7.

If you attempt to download the next major release and you receive an error message saying that the download failed due to policy deprecations, your policy uses constructs that are no longer supported in SGOS 4.x. You must correct any policy syntax problems before upgrading.For information on checking on policy deprecation, see "Policy Deprecation" on page 22.

If the upgrade path is followed, most of the current settings on the ProxySG are maintained after the upgrade. New or transformed settings in SGOS 4.x are taken from the original settings wherever possible.

About the Document Organization

This document is organized for easy reference, and is divided into the following sections and chapters:

Table 1.1: Document Organization

Chapter Title

Description

 

 

 

Chapter 1

Introducing the Upgrade/Downgrade

Upgrade differences between SGOS 3.2.x and SGOS 4.x. Blue

Guide

 

Coat documentation and documentation conventions are

 

 

also discussed.

 

 

 

Chapter 2

Upgrade Behavior, General

This chapter discusses general upgrade issues, including the

 

 

required upgrade path and licensing.

 

 

 

Chapter 3

Upgrade Behavior, Specifics

This chapter identifies new features in SGOS 4.x and

 

 

discusses any upgrade/downgrade issues.

 

 

 

Related Blue Coat Documentation

Blue Coat 6000 and 7000 Installation Guide

Blue Coat 400 Series Installation Guide

Blue Coat 800 Series Installation Guide

Blue Coat 8000 Series Installation Guide

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Blue Coat Systems SGOS 4.x Changes Between Sgos 3.x and Sgos, About the Document Organization, Chapter Title Description

SGOS 4.x specifications

Blue Coat Systems SGOS 4.x is a robust operating system designed for the Blue Coat ProxySG series of appliances, which serve as content filtering and web security solutions. The SGOS (Secure Gateway Operating System) is crafted to enhance network performance while providing extensive security and policy enforcement capabilities. This article delves into the numerous features, technologies, and characteristics that define SGOS 4.x, making it an essential tool for organizations looking to fortify their web traffic management and security.

One of the standout features of SGOS 4.x is its advanced web filtering capabilities. The system employs a comprehensive URL categorization database that allows organizations to enforce content policies effectively. By categorizing millions of web pages, SGOS enables users to block or allow access to specific sites based on their content category, ensuring a safe browsing experience for employees and preventing access to harmful or non-work-related content.

Another notable technological characteristic of SGOS 4.x is its accelerated SSL decryption. As encrypted traffic continues to dominate the web, it becomes increasingly important for organizations to inspect this traffic for potential threats. SGOS 4.x offers robust SSL decryption capabilities that allow organizations to analyze encrypted traffic while maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of the data being transmitted. This attribute not only strengthens security but also aids in compliance with regulatory requirements.

SGOS 4.x is also equipped with exceptional caching and content delivery features. By caching frequently accessed content, the system reduces load times and optimizes bandwidth usage. This caching mechanism is enhanced by predefined policies that dictate how content is stored and retrieved, significantly improving user experience while reducing operational costs.

Furthermore, SGOS 4.x supports advanced reporting and analytics features. The integrated reporting tools provide administrators with insights into web usage patterns, bandwidth consumption, and security incidents. These insights facilitate informed decision-making and allow organizations to refine their web usage policies based on actual user behavior and threat landscape analysis.

In terms of scalability, SGOS 4.x is engineered to support a wide range of deployment scenarios, from small businesses to large enterprises. The architecture is designed to efficiently handle varying volumes of traffic without compromising performance or security, making it a flexible solution for diverse organizational needs.

Overall, Blue Coat Systems SGOS 4.x presents a powerful platform for web security and traffic management. With its advanced filtering, SSL decryption, caching, and analytics capabilities, SGOS 4.x remains a vital solution for organizations aiming to enhance their security posture and improve operational efficiency in an increasingly complex web environment.