Meeting small business demands while delivering enterprise-level scalability, TZ SonicWall Firewalls have come a long way. They’re the perfect choice for small to mid-size organizations, as well as distributed organizations with SD-branch locations.
While there are plenty of models to choose from, it’s important you make the right choice for the full scope of your network security demands. This article explores the SonicWall TZ series firewalls, important features, and the steps you should consider to end up with the right piece of hardware.
Which TZ SonicWall Firewalls are Right for Your Small Business?
SonicWall firewall hardware from the TZ series has been securing small business networks for well over a decade. These next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) continue to evolve even to this day, with highly acclaimed new entries like the SonicWall TZ380.
So, what makes the SonicWall TZ series such a mainstay on network security shortlists? It’s a combination of entry-level accessibility and years of support with forward-thinking security measures. Determining which model is right for your current and future operations involves taking a look at the topic from multiple angles.
Entry-Level Firewalls With Leading Edge Security Features
Advances in throughput and processing allow SonicWall TZ firewalls to pull off some slick tricks. For example, the new SonicWall TZ380 includes Gen 8 tech, zero-touch deployment, and a surprising range of advanced protections.
The newest TZ firewalls are built with the future of network security in mind. You can see this in specific features like Cloud Secure Edge Connector support, higher port density, high connection counts, real-time visualization, and the list goes on.
In addition to that, TZ firewalls stop ransomware and encrypted threats by scanning the entirety of all inbound and outbound traffic across multiple security processors. This is made possible with Reassembly-Free Deep Packet Inspection (RFDPI), a staple in the TZ series. Below, you can find a few more specific details that make the Gen 8 TZ firewalls such a great choice for small network security demands.
SonicOS Gen 8 highlights from TZ hardware firewalls:
- Combines firewall, switching, and wireless capabilities into a single device
- Zero-touch deployment supports rapid, simultaneous rollout of multiple devices with ease
- Supports TLS 1.3, SD-WAN, real-time visualization, and leverages Capture ATP with RTDMI for advanced security and threat detection
- High port density offers substantial support for scaling businesses, including the ability to support multiple PoE devices
- Cloud Secure Edge Connector provides adaptive access to applications regardless of location or endpoint
Considering things like throughput, VPN, and user limitations are important as well. Between the size of your workforce, current network demands, and where you plan to scale to, all of these factors play a role in the piece of hardware that’s best for you.
For example, the TZ480 and 680 models share a few similarities, but you’d find some clear differences in security capabilities across several important categories. In the table below, you can find a quick comparison between SonicWall’s new Gen 8 TZ firewalls.
| Specifications | TZ380 | TZ480 | TZ680 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max SSO Users | 1,000 | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| Firewall Throughput (Gbps) | 3.5 | 4 | 5 |
| TLS/SSL Throughput (Mbps) | 600 | 650 | 800 |
| Max DPI Connections | 250,000 | 350,000 | 600,000 |
| SSL VPN Licenses Supported | 2 (100) | 2 (150) | 2 (250) |
The datasheet is guaranteed to offer much more detailed specs here, but this is a great, simple comparison you can reference. Whether you’re looking at the TZ380, TZ680, or another model from the series, you might find a few similarities here and there. Overall, you’re bound to find stronger capabilities as you scale through the TZ ranks.
Finding the Right Firewall Device From the TZ Series
For those who are just getting their start in network security hardware or are looking for an upgrade, you can’t go wrong with Gen 8 TZ solutions. However, those aren’t the only options available to you from this lineup from SonicWall.
Tips for finding the right TZ firewall for your business:
- Determine the number of users, devices, and expected traffic for your business network
- Consider specific security features you might need, such as RTDMI, VPN support, and Cloud Edge Security
- Think about scalability and what kind of connectivity options you might need, whether it’s the number of ports or PoE capabilities
- Leverage SonicWall buyer’s guides and comparison articles for a streamlined approach to the most important data points
- Don’t hesitate to seek out expert advice on the best tailored options for your specific use case
Maintaining a reliable network security architecture definitely requires a long-term plan, but you don’t have to navigate that on your own. There’s plenty of supporting information out there that can help you streamline your approach to the best firewalls possible.
The Final Word
Deciding which firewall your small business will rely on as a primary method of protecting both company and customer data is a crucial step. Considering the technical nature of firewall hardware, choosing the best small business firewalls is a thorough process in itself.
Firewalls.com employs a team of experts that has been both trained and certified by the manufacturer partners we represent. Give us a call or send in a message for direct answers to your most technical questions with supporting guidance on which TZ SonicWall firewalls are best for your specific needs.
