Another strong firewall from the Gen 8 NSa lineup of SonicWall models, the NSa 3800 is built for mid-range networking demands. Moreover, this includes the likes of distributed environments, and the 3800 is more than capable of supporting a range of 200 to 500 users on a single network.
Outside of the firewall appliance specs, you’ll also find a variety of unique benefits hidden within SonicOS 8. This article offers a look at the ins and outs of the NSa 3800 firewall to help you determine how it aligns with your network requirements.
Key Takeaways:
- 12 Gbps firewall throughput for mid-range and distributed enterprise environments
- Encrypted traffic protection helps companies inspect and secure protected network communications
- Advanced security features include IPS, malware analysis, app control, DNS Security, and URL filtering
- SonicOS 8 management offers centralized admin and support for zero-touch deployment
- Enterprise networking includes Secure SD-WAN, dynamic routing, high-speed VPN, and more
SonicWall NSa Series 3800 Specs and Throughput
Combining high-density connectivity with multi-gigabit traffic, the NSa 3800 is more than enterprise-ready. While it may be aimed at mid-sized, growing organizations, the capabilities of this firewall show you it’s built to offer scalable support. Take a quick look at the table below for a clear understanding of what you’re getting out of the specs here.
| Specifications | SonicWall NSa 3800 |
|---|---|
| Firewall Throughput | 12 Gbps |
| Threat Prevention Throughput | 8 Gbps |
| App Inspection Throughput | 9 Gbps |
| IPS Throughput | 8 Gbps |
| Anti-Malware Inspection Throughput | 8 Gbps |
| TLS/SSL Inspection and Decryption Throughput | 3 Gbps |
| IPSec VPN Throughput | 8 Gbps |
| Max Connections (SPI) | 3,000,000 |
| Max Connections per Second | 90,000 |
| Site-to-Site VPN Tunnels | 3,000 |
| Storage | 256 GB (Expansion up to 512 GB) |
| Interfaces | 24 x 1 GbE 10 x 10G SFP+ 2 x USB 3.0 1 x Console 1 x Management Port |
These numbers are a good view of what a high performance firewall looks like, but the specs are far from the only details that matter. Without the right security features to match, you won’t be getting the protection your business network deserves.
SonicWall NSa 3800 Security Features
If you thought the specs were impressive, the feature set in this enterprise firewall takes it to even greater heights. A few leading examples of these features include app control, intrusion prevention, and malware analysis.
You’ll also be able to make use of URL filtering, DNS security, and even Geo-IP support. Overall, your network benefits from an ecosystem of proactive and reactive security measures.
Enterprise Firewall Protection
As with any network security strategy, there are layers to the overall umbrella of enterprise firewall protection. For example, whereas intrusion prevention focuses on malicious network activity, VPN capabilities make sure your connections are secure.
Moreover, app control is great for handling oversight of application traffic. You’ll also have more than enough control to handle where your connections are coming from, even with a distributed workforce.
Advanced Threat and Encrypted Traffic Protection
The security features behind this firewall go deep. In the topic of advanced and encrypted traffic protection, there are numerous layers at play here as well.
Cloud-based sandboxing analyzes potentially suspicious content, and Real-Time Deep Memory Inspection (RTDMI) is there to help identify advanced threats. I’d also like to point out the reputation-based content filtering here, which makes sure all of your business network connections only see what they need to see.
SonicWall NSa 3800 Firewall Management and Networking
Firewall specs and security features are great and all, but they wouldn’t be much without SonicOS 8. This is a big part of what makes the NSa 3800 feel like such an intuitive workflow at every step.
In addition to that, the zero-touch deployment helps simplify the process, whether you’re new or simply making a hardware transition. When you also take the networking capabilities into account, the big picture around the 3800 starts to get pretty clear.
SonicOS 8 and Centralized Management
Regarding the modern interface and intuitive workflows, you can thank SonicOS 8 for a lot of that. Your centralized management comes from SonicWall’s Network Security Manager (NSM), and that’s just the cusp of the simplicity with this firewall.
Having that single pane of glass management gives you a unified approach to your network oversight. SonicOS 8 is not only there to handle current demands, but to make sure you’re covered as your company shifts and grows.
Networking and Connectivity Features
I can’t forget to mention the SD-WAN support either. It’s a crucial component to networking capability, and this is especially true for enterprise environments. Having dynamic routing on your side gives you the flexibility to manage different connectivity and traffic management requirements.
High-speed VPN and secure connections are a breeze too. Don’t forget, SonicWall has a whole ecosystem of network security solutions. That means your next-gen firewalls from the manufacturer work just fine with the network switch and access point hardware.
Is the SonicWall NSa 3800 the Right Firewall Appliance for Your Business?
No matter how you spin it, the NSa 3800 comes down to being an excellent mid-range business firewall solution. With a sizable user rating and a stacked list of specs, capabilities, and unique features, your network is in good hands. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go through your due diligence.
Here’s how you discern if the NSa 3800 firewall is right for your operation:
- Consider your organization size and how many users you’re managing
- Evaluate existing throughput requirements for your network
- Determine what level of traffic inspection is needed
- Review the need for specific security requirements and cross-reference with what SonicWall offers
- Examine exact networking requirements regarding SD-WAN, dynamic routing, high availability, and more
- Understand the scope of your management preferences for now and in the near future
Knowing your own network requirements inside and out makes it a whole lot easier to sort through firewall reviews. If you were to ask me, I’d say look for more than just reliable specifications and security features. It helps to have expert support to back your decision-making when it comes to the sensitive nature of business IT.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, out of all of the SonicWall models, the NSa 3800 stands as a great option for many mid-size organizations. Don’t let the specs make you feel like this firewall is putting your network in a box for the next few years.
The hardware is built to be scalable to a degree that offers years of support and ushers you into the next upgrade when you’re ready. Of course, speaking directly with our team at Firewalls.com is a sure-fire way to avoid any confusion when you’re trying to find the right firewall hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SonicWall NSa 3800 Designed For?
The NSa 3800 is a Gen 8 mid-range firewall designed for medium-sized businesses and distributed network environments.
How Much Firewall Throughput Does the SonicWall NSa 3800 Provide?
It delivers up to 12 Gbps of firewall throughput.
What Security Features Does the SonicWall NSa 3800 Offer?
You’ll find that the NSa 3800 includes features like intrusion prevention, app control, malware analysis, DNS security, Geo-IP support, and much more.
Does the SonicWall NSa 3800 Support Encrypted Traffic Inspection?
Yes, it provides 3 Gbps of TLS/SSL inspection and decryption throughput, on top of support for TLS 1.3 traffic inspection.
What Management and Networking Features Does the NSa 3800 Include?
The NSa 3800 firewall makes use of SonicOS 8 and offers support for centralized management, zero-touch deployment, dynamic routing, and more.
