Why MSPs are switching from SonicWall NetExtender to DefensX.

NetExtender’s legacy VPN approach gives users full network access and forces you to manage per-device clients. DefensX delivers browser-based Zero Trust remote access — with less risk, fewer tickets, and a better MSP margin.

Ideal for MSPs standardizing on modern ZTNA/SASE instead of maintaining aging VPN clients.

The problem with NetExtender for MSPs

SonicWall NetExtender is a traditional SSL VPN client that drops users onto the network with full Layer 3 access — great for 2008, painful for MSPs in 2025 who must secure hybrid work, BYOD, and compliance at scale.

Operational friction & ticket volume

Legacy VPN

● Per-device client installs, updates, and OS compatibility issues.
● “VPN won’t connect” tickets whenever endpoints, drivers, or firewalls change.
● Complex split-tunnel and routing configs for each customer environment.
● Extra work to onboard contractors, third parties, and BYOD devices safely.

Security model that’s too “flat”

Broad network access

● NetExtender operates as a network-level VPN, giving users broad access to internal IP ranges and resources.
● Once connected, lateral movement is possible between applications and servers if a credential is compromised.
● No native browser-level controls like isolation, web DLP, or keylogger protection.

How DefensX modernizes MSP remote access

DefensX turns any browser into a secure digital workspace with Zero Trust Network Access — replacing legacy VPN/VDI complexity with simple, policy-based access to apps from managed or unmanaged devices.

Browser-based Zero Trust, not network VPN

DefensX ZTNA

● Users access only the apps and resources they’re entitled to — not the entire internal network.
● Security is embedded directly into the browser session: posture checks, session controls, and continuous monitoring.
● Works on both corporate endpoints and BYOD with policy-based controls and no heavy client.
● Built-in data protection features like DLP, isolation, and keylogger protection to keep customer data in the browser, not on the device.

Built for MSP scale and margins

MSP-ready

● Eliminate per-OS VPN package management — one experience in any modern browser.
● Standardize remote access across customers, reducing training and support time for your engineers.
● Aligns with your security stack: Zero Trust, SASE, secure web gateway, and cloud app protection.
● Easier to package, price, and report as a recurring cybersecurity service for your clients.

NetExtender vs DefensX — at a glance

Use this comparison in sales decks and QBRs to explain why you’re recommending a move away from full-tunnel VPNs.

Capability	SonicWall NetExtender	DefensX
Access model	Network-level VPN (Layer 3 access to internal network)	Application-level Zero Trust access from the browser
Client footprint	Installed VPN client per device/OS	Browser-based secure workspace; minimal endpoint footprint
BYOD & contractors	Risky without additional controls; broad network exposure	Policy-controlled access from managed and unmanaged devices
Built-in data protection	Relies on other tools for DLP/browser isolation	Web DLP, session isolation, keylogger protection at the browser layer
MSP operational load	High: installs, upgrades, endpoint issues, tunnel routing	Lower: consistent, browser-based access across customers
User experience	“Turn on VPN first” workflow; can slow all traffic	Click-to-app experience inside a secure browser session
Future-readiness	Traditional VPN model, harder to align with SASE/Zero Trust	Zero Trust & SASE-aligned, built for modern hybrid work

What switching means for your MSP practice

The move away from NetExtender isn’t just a tech refresh — it’s a business decision that reduces risk and support load while opening new recurring security revenue.

Stronger security, fewer tickets, better margins.

Package DefensX as your standard for secure remote access. Position it as a replacement for legacy VPNs and thin clients, and tie it directly to compliance, ransomware defense, and remote work enablement.

Identify top VPN-heavy customers and contractor use cases.
Map key applications to browser-based Zero Trust access policies.
Pilot DefensX with a small user group alongside NetExtender.
Roll out tenant-by-tenant, decommissioning VPN dependencies as traffic shifts.
Use reduced tickets and stronger posture as proof points in QBRs.

Ready to sunset NetExtender?

We’ll help you design a migration plan, position DefensX in your stack, and build a standard offer you can roll out across your customer base.

MSP FAQ: Moving off NetExtender

Address objections you’ll hear from technical champions, security teams, and end users when you recommend a move away from traditional VPN clients.

“Can my users still access on-prem apps?”

Yes. With a Zero Trust approach, users connect to the apps they need (HTTP(S), RDP, SSH and others via the browser), instead of being dropped onto the entire internal network. The experience is familiar — but far more controlled and auditable.

“What about performance versus a full VPN tunnel?”

Because only the relevant application traffic is secured through the browser session (not every packet on the device), users often see faster, more consistent performance than full-tunnel VPN, especially on lower-quality home networks.

“Is this a rip-and-replace project or can we phase it?”

You can onboard customers gradually. Start with a single high-value app (like RDP to finance systems or a critical line of business app) and expand coverage over time while NetExtender remains as a fallback until you’re confident to turn it off.