Focusing on the differences between Gen 7 and Gen 8 NSa’s, SonicWall 4700 vs 4800 are both aimed at unique target markets. Although both firewall models support the same user range, the specs start to vary when it comes to throughput and other surrounding categories.
The Gen 7 hardware is still going strong, but that doesn’t mean it should be the first choice for every company. Looking at the newer Gen 8, you’re getting a robust set of features and specifications that’ll offer years of support.
Comparing the NSa 4700 vs 4800 highlights improved performance, enhanced security features, and scalability for modern enterprise networks. This article dives into their differences as well as the similarities, so you can determine which is right for your network security.
The Strength of the SonicWall NSa Series
Regardless of the NSa SonicWall model, the series as a whole is known for its high-performance network security. This goes for mid-range to enterprise-level networks, and the protection against cyber threats is robust, to say the least.
There are also several flexible licensing options available, and newer models, such as the 4800, are built with Gen 8 technology. Featuring improved throughput and encrypted traffic handling, it’s an obvious upgrade for those coming from Gen 7. However, for newcomers, it’s important to look into what both generations have to offer.
What is the SonicWall Firewall NSa 4700?
Built to be a mid-range firewall solution, the NSa 4700 can handle up to 2,500 users. It comes with a simple management interface and a range of comprehensive security features.
As far as the specs go, here’s how it stacks up at a glance:
- Firewall Throughput: 18 Gbps
- Threat Prevention Throughput: 9.5 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 10 Gbps
- IPSec VPN Throughput: 11 Gbps
- Connections per Second: 115,000
Impressive on its own, but this barely scratches the surface of the full picture. It’s more than enough for a quick comparison, but we’ll get into the specs on this one a bit more later on.
What is the SonicWall NSa 4800 Firewall Hardware?
In many aspects, the NSa 4800 is quite similar, just with the added upgrades from Gen 8. You’ll find features like malware analysis, intrusion prevention, Geo-IP, and the list goes on.
Here’s how the NSa 4800 compares to those same specs listed above:
- Firewall Throughput: 20 Gbps
- Threat Prevention Throughput: 13 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 13 Gbps
- IPSec VPN Throughput: 11 Gbps
- Connections per Second: 140,000
It’s easy to see from this alone that the NSa 4800 is a bit stronger in comparison. Once again, these aren’t the only details that matter when it comes to a SonicWall network security appliance. Both models are stacked with features and impressive capabilities, but we’re here to itemize what makes them different.
A Detailed SonicWall 4700 vs 4800 Comparison
Other angles like interfaces, VPN tunnels, and different throughput categories matter as well. For those who are new, purchasing a firewall is like making a multi-year commitment.
To save time, money, and avoid potential security risks and downtime, you have to know which model is best for your operation. The table below offers a quick but relatively detailed comparison that makes the technicalities easy to digest.
| Specifications | NSa 4700 | NSa 4800 |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall Throughput (Gbps) | 18 | 20 |
| Threat Prevention Throughput (Gbps) | 9.5 | 13 |
| Application Inspection Throughput (Gbps) | 11 | 13 |
| IPS Throughput (Gbps) | 10 | 13 |
| Anti-Malware Inspection Throughput (Gbps) | 9.5 | 13 |
| TLS/SSL Inspection and Decryption Throughput (Gbps) | 5 | 4.2 |
| IPSec VPN Throughput (Gbps) | 11 | 11 |
| Connections per Second | 115,000 | 140,000 |
| Site-to-Site VPN Tunnels | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Interfaces | 6 x 10G/5G/2.5G/1G (SFP+) 24 x 1GbE Cu 2 USB 3.0 1 Console 1 Mgmt. port | 24 x 1GbE Cu 8 x 10G SFP+ 1 console (RJ45 to DB9) 2 x USB (USB type-A) |
It’s important to note that just because the 4800 is stronger in a few areas, it doesn’t mean that it’s automatically the better option. You don’t have to bite off more than you can chew just to secure your business network. The reality is that you need to have a thorough assessment of your network security demands before the decision gets any easier.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between SonicWall 4700 vs 4800 has a lot to do with throughput and interface capability. While these models share a few similarities, there’s more than enough to make them unique in their own right.
The NSa 4700 is cost-effective and a reliable mid-range option that smaller businesses can grow with. That is, until the end of life (EOL) date comes around. Whereas the NSa 4800 comes with their new Gen 8 tech and a broader range in throughput capability.
If you’re still feeling stuck on the decision, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team members at Firewalls for the additional guidance you need. With years of hands-on hardware and industry experience, we can point you in the right direction.
