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Best affordable firewall for small businesses

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On May 29, 2020

Best affordable firewall for small businesses

firewall price firewalls small business firewalls SMB

Affordable firewalls that won’t leave you dreaming of bigger budgets

Affordable firewalls are a necessity for small businesses. Especially if they need strong network security in place fast. However, finding an affordable firewall can be tough. Not sure sure how to find SMB firewalls that give real bang for the buck?

Find the best affordable firewall you can rely on for years to come with a few options Firewalls.com recommends:

**What sets an affordable firewall apart from a cheap firewall?**

Firstly, what do we mean by an affordable firewall? We mean a next generation firewall that reliably delivers high-speed performance and advanced security at a cost-efficient “pound for pound” level. Many third party authorities such as NSS Labs and Gartner measure and quantify high quality, affordable firewalls. This is often done with metrics like “Total Cost of Ownership” and “Price per Protected Mbps.”

Firewall vendors are constantly racing to extend enterprise-grade, multi-gig firewalls to smaller and smaller user bases. The Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) era has grown fully ripe. Now savvy SMBs can get even newer next-er generations of NGFWs. If they know where to look.

Fortinet 40F – Affordable firewall with jaw-dropping stats

The FortiGate 40F launched in 2020 as part of Fortinet’s new F-Series firewalls. The tiny titan FortiGate 40F can reach speeds of up to 5 Gigabits per second. That’s twice as fast as the FG-50E which costs over $50 more! And don’t forget its purpose-built processor for top-notch Secure SD-WAN capabilities.

The tech specs for the FG-40F are insane for such an affordable firewall.

SonicWall TZ 350 – Affordable firewall built to stop ransomware

SonicWall launched the TZ series as NGFWs for SMBs. Now the next gen of NGFWs are sprouting up with new additions like the SonicWall SOHO 250 and SonicWall TZ 350. The SonicWall TZ350 is faster and supports more SSL VPN licenses than the TZ300.

With SonicWall Capture Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) enabled, you get a super fast cloud-based sandbox that uses AI and behavior-based scans. First, identify potential threats. Then isolate them in quarantine. Finally, detonate them before they can touch your network. This squashes the threat of ransomware right in your inbox.

Sophos XG 106 – Affordable firewall with added on-board memory

The Sophos XG 106 is a major revision of the XG 105. The XG 106 includes upgraded onboard memory RAM. XG firewalls use an integrated Solid State Drive (SSD).

Sophos XG firewalls are affordable, but still satisfy the cravings of network admins looking for advanced features, increased visibility & control, and synchronized real-time security.

WatchGuard T35 – Affordable firewall made to grow with you

WatchGuard T-Series Firebox appliances are built with scalability in mind. That means if your small business doesn’t stay a small business, you can easily expand your network security setup without having to rip and replace from the ground up.

The term “future-proof” is often used to describe the T-Series. WatchGuard makes it easy to upgrade existing services and add emerging tech to your current setup.

SonicWall NSa Firewalls: How to choose & buy an NSa firewall

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On May 21, 2020

SonicWall NSa Firewalls: How to choose & buy an NSa firewall

firewalls SonicWALL sonicwall nsa

What is a SonicWall NSa firewall?

SonicWall NSa firewalls are next-gen appliances built to provide unified, advanced threat protection and centralized network management to mid-sized businesses. In short, if your network supports between 100 and 2,500 users, an NSa firewall may be right for you.

To begin, we’ll compare features of NSa and TZ firewalls. After that we’ll explore NSa firewall tech specs and how to boost your SonicWall firewall with smart security services like AGSS.

What’s the difference between SonicWall NSa firewalls & TZ firewalls?

SonicWall NSa and TZ firewalls share a lot in common. For example, both support cloud-based sandbox capabilities with SonicWall Capture ATP as well as many of SonicWall’s patented security features like Re-assembly Free Deep Packet Inspection (RFDPI) and Real-Time Deep Memory Inspection (RTDMI).

NSa Series is best suited for:

Large branch offices & distributed enterprises
Data centers & corporate HQs
Hotels, convention centers, & dorms
Doctors’ & dentists’ offices

TZ Series is better suited for

Retail spots & restaurants
Small offices & home offices
Law firms, satellite offices, and outposts

In other words, the NSa series may be a bit too large for smaller businesses. We recommend checking out SonicWall TZ entry-level firewalls instead. After that, expand your know-how with our SonicWall TZ firewall article spotlighting the SonicWall SOHO 250 and SonicWall TZ350.

Comparing NSa firewall prices & tech specs

The best way to compare NSa firewalls is by visiting our SonicWall Firewall Comparison page or a SonicWall NSa datasheet. Similarly, you can compare critical stats at-a-glance with this snapshot of NSa firewalls by price and performance.

SonicWall NSa 2650

Appliance Only MSRP: $2,495.00
Max Throughput: 3.0 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 1.5 Gbps
Built-In Storage (SSD): 16 GB
Max SSL VPN Licenses: 350

SonicWall NSa 3650

Appliance Only MSRP: $3,995.00
Max Throughput: 3.75 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 1.75 Gbps
Built-In Storage (SSD): 32 GB
Max SSL VPN Licenses: 500

SonicWall NSa 4650

Appliance Only MSRP: $6,495.00
Max Throughput: 6.0 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 2.5 Gbps
Built-In Storage (SSD): 32 GB
Max SSL VPN Licenses: 1,000

SonicWall NSa 5650

Appliance Only MSRP: $10,995.00
Max Throughput: 6.25 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 3.4 Gbps
Built-In Storage (SSD): 64 GB
Max SSL VPN Licenses: 6,000

SonicWall NSa 6650

Appliance Only MSRP: $23,595.00
Max Throughput: 12.0 Gbps
Threat Prevention Throughput: 5.5 Gbps
Built-In Storage (SSD): 64 GB
Max SSL VPN Licenses: 6,000

TotalSecure Advanced for SonicWall NSa firewalls

NSa firewalls include all the basic security features needed to secure your SMB. But bad guys go way beyond the basics. Therefore, small businesses should not rely on a bare-bones deployment. On the contrary, even small businesses should license advanced security services for SonicWall firewalls to empower admins. As a result, they’ll be able to stop more threats and better control network traffic.

Stop zero day threats like malware cocktails with behavior-based threat scanning
Rely on 24×7 support from SonicWall experts to keep you up & running around the clock
Detonate ransomware payloads in a secure, virtual environment with cloud-based sandboxing
Clean up inboxes from unwanted spam, email-borne threats, & elusive phishing schemes

Learn more about SonicWall AGSS to secure your small business against malware, ransomware, and zero day exploits.

Sophos XG 86 & XG 106 function as secure VPN appliances

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On May 15, 2020

Sophos XG 86 & XG 106 function as secure VPN appliances

firewalls Sophos xg 106 xg 86

Sophos XG 86 & XG 106 firewalls stand in as secure VPN appliances

Sophos XG 86 and Sophos XG 106 appliances are powerful next generation firewalls many small businesses use to as their primary cyber threat defense. However, these mighty little devices are far more versatile than admins give them credit for! Did you know the XG 86 and XG 106 can both stand in as dedicated VPN platforms to secure temporary remote work spikes? So you won’t need a Sophos RED (remote ethernet device) or other comparable VPN appliance.

A Sophos XG 86 firewall costs about the same as a Sophos RED and similar competing remote access devices. Yet it can perform even better than SMA devices if a split-tunnel deployment is required. This substitution is possible because Sophos XG firewalls come with a basic set of security features and services. They include the ability to deploy Sophos site-to-site VPN tunnels. Since this feature is part of the XG firewall base license, that also means no recurring fees or renewals are necessary.

Remote access security ensured

With your remote workers accessing company applications and resources through a firewall-facilitated VPN tunnel, you ensure the onboard and advanced Sophos security features they enjoy at the office protect users working from home as well. Those include Network Protection, Synchronized Security, and the Sophos Heartbeat. Bundle your Sophos XG 86 firewall with an EnterpriseProtect Plus package that includes advanced Web Protection to get a solution ideal for split-tunnel VPN deployments.

Ease management & deployment of remote access users

Another great benefit of using your Sophos XG 86 or XG 106 firewall as a stand-in for a secure remote access device is ease of management. Manage all your site-to-site tunnels and connected users intuitively through the Sophos XG Firewall single-pane-of-glass management dashboard. Simplify remote work chaos by monitoring and managing traffic with the same tools you would in the home office.

Sophos XG 86 vs Sophos RED

Remote workers returning? XG 86 can shift back to a security role
XG 86 offers more flexible secure access options like SSL & IPSec VPN
Centrally manage XG 86 VPN deployments with Sophos Central
Protect traffic routed through split tunnel setups that Sophos RED does not secure

How to use an XG Firewall for secure remote access

Using an XG 86 or XG 106 (for even more power and user support) in place of a RED or similar secure access device is simple. A Sophos XG firewall will act as a server that waits for incoming connection requests. This is quick and easy to configure with a few clicks to turn on “RED Status.” You can see full detailed instructions for this VPN setup in the Sophos Knowledge Base.

Ruckus Wireless indoor & outdoor wireless APs fit any budget

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On May 11, 2020

ruckus wap

Ruckus Wireless indoor & outdoor wireless APs fit any budget

Ruckus Wireless takes wireless security to the next level with its ZoneFlex and Unleashed wireless access point families. Ruckus is shaping the future of connectivity – its ICX network switches can make even the most complex wireless network deployments possible. Whether you’re looking to extend fast, secure Wi-Fi to a classroom, hotel room, or hospital room, Ruckus Wireless has you covered with high-performance, next generation appliances.

Ruckus security made easy

Small businesses, retail spaces, hotels, schools–no matter the venue, wireless devices are multiplying and growing hungrier for bandwidth every year. Running a small business in 2020 means secure, high-performance wireless connectivity is a necessity, not a luxury. Ruckus security services mixed with the lightning fast speeds of its security processors means you don’t have to sacrifice speed for safety.

Not every small business has the budget or IT talent to handle a complex wireless network configuration. And still fewer SMBs have the spare time to manage a wireless security infrastructure once deployed, but Ruckus makes deployments simpler with intuitive management dashboards, affordable prices, and controller-less solutions like Ruckus Unleashed access points.

Choosing the right Ruckus AP

ZoneFlex R-Series Access Points are great for:

Cafeterias, classrooms, & campuses
Small offices & retail locations
Convention floors
Hotel lobbies, guest rooms, & hallways

ZoneFlex T-Series Access Points are great for:

Outdoor hospitality spaces & common areas
Campus quads & satellite classrooms
Harbors, ports, beachside, & marinas
Outdoor venues & sports stadiums

ZoneFlex H-Series Access Points are great for:

Hotel guest rooms
Classrooms & hospital rooms
University residence halls

Ruckus ICX Network Switches

Ruckus ICX network switches combine enterprise-grade security features with intuitive management and a flexible solution that lets small businesses easily scale up their switch solution by stacking additional network switches. If you’re paying your ISP for a gigabit Ethernet connection, why lose it to the network? Ruckus Wireless ICX switches deliver high-performance uplinks to small and mid-sized businesses.

TZ Firewall – Entry level firewalls for small businesses

By Andrew Harmon

Posted On May 1, 2020

TZ Firewall – Entry level firewalls for small businesses

firewalls SonicWALL tz

Which TZ firewall is right for your small business?

SonicWall TZ firewalls have been securing small business networks for over a decade, and these next generation firewalls continue to evolve even to this day, with highly acclaimed new entries like the SonicWall TZ350. So what makes the SonicWall TZ firewall such a mainstay on network security shortlists?

Entry-level firewalls with out of this world features

Advances in throughput and processing allow SonicWall TZ firewalls to pull off some slick tricks. For example, the new SonicWall SOHO 250 (classified as a TZ firewall) extends the capability to use Capture ATP cloud-based sandboxing even in a home office setting. Imagine having that level of advanced, enterprise-grade protection on your home network! The kids have a sandbox in the backyard, and you’ve got one guarding your family photos.

TZ Firewalls scan for zero day and other unknown cyber threats with behavior-based scanning that pairs machine learning with an ever-expanding archive of global threat intelligence. Fileless malware and memory exploits are put to rest by SonicWall TZ firewalls using Real Time Deep Memory Inspection (RTDMI), which can detect threats in fractions of a nanosecond. To stop ransomware and encrypted threats, TZ firewalls scan the entirety of all inbound and outbound traffic across multiple security processors with Reassembly-Free Deep Packet Inspection (RFDPI).

Real Time Deep Memory Inspection

Included in SonicWall Capture Cloud
Spot threats before they demonstrate malicious behavior
Hackers cannot hide behind custom encryption
Detects threats in less than 100 nanoseconds
Learn more about RTDMI

Reassembly-Free Deep Packet Inspection

Included with every SonicWall TZ firewall
Scan inbound & outbound data with very low latency
High-speed traffic analysis with no buffering or proxying
Stop evasion techniques that most engines miss
Learn more about RFDPI

SonicWall sizing guides make it easy to compare TZ firewalls

Deciding which TZ firewall is right for your small business network can take some serious consideration. Maybe your small office would benefit from the power-over-ethernet features of the SonicWall TZ300-POE or TZ600-POE models. Most TZ firewalls also support wireless networking such as the SonicWall TZ350 Wireless-AC or TZ400 Wireless-AC. Which TZ firewall you choose ultimately comes down to your unique needs as a small business.

Tips for finding the right firewall fast

Use the firewall sizing guide on our Homepage
Filter by other options & features in the sidebar
Compare options on the TZ firewall comparison page
Live chat with our certified experts for better pricing

Firewalls.com offers a SonicWall TZ firewall comparison page where you can easily navigate TZ firewall specs and highlight rows to compare entry level firewalls. If you’re looking for something a little bigger, we also offer SonicWall comparison pages for mid-sized NSa firewalls and enterprise NSa firewalls.

If you want to go straight to the source, check out our network security datasheets page where you’ll find all the latest datasheets and spec sheets for SonicWall, Sophos, Fortinet, WatchGuard, Barracuda, Cisco Meraki, and Ruckus Wireless.

TZ firewall experts on your schedule

Deciding which firewall your small business will rely on as a primary method of protecting both company and customer data is a big, big step. Plus, these are super complicated appliances that should never be chosen on a whim!

Firewalls.com employs a team of experts that has been both trained and certified by the manufacturer partners we represent. That means when you click on the Live Chat button, you’re connecting with a real person who lives and breathes TZ firewalls full time. Chat or call 317-754-7914 to get special pricing, expert recommendations, and all of your TZ firewall questions answered fast.

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