The Firebox M290 is a rack-mount next-generation firewall built for small businesses and branch offices with up to about 75 users. It runs WatchGuard's full security stack, including intrusion prevention, web filtering, application control, and advanced malware detection, on a compact 1U appliance that fits in any standard equipment rack or network closet.

With antivirus, IPS, and application control all active, the M290 delivers 1.18 Gbps UTM throughput. Raw firewall throughput reaches 5.8 Gbps, and VPN throughput (IMIX) comes in at 800 Mbps. These figures are measured using real-world test methodologies, not theoretical maximums.

The M290 ships with eight 1 Gbps RJ45 ports, two USB ports, and one serial console. One open expansion bay accepts an optional module: 4x1G copper, 4x SFP fiber, 2x SFP+ fiber, or 4x 10G multispeed ports. This lets you customize connectivity without replacing the appliance as your network evolves.

Yes. The M290 includes SD-WAN with multi-WAN failover, dynamic path selection, and jitter, loss, and latency measurement. It also supports BGP, OSPF, and RIP dynamic routing along with QoS traffic management by policy or application.

Yes. The M290 integrates with WatchGuard Cloud for zero-touch deployment and centralized management. You stage a configuration in the cloud portal and ship the appliance directly to a remote location. Once it powers on and connects to the internet, it downloads its configuration automatically, eliminating the need for on-site IT at installation time.