While we are here to compare the SonicWall NSA 2700 vs NSA 2800, it’s more important to look at the generational differences. Not only in their individual specs, but also in the leap in performance between Gen 7 and Gen 8.
If you spent a little time in the datasheets, you’d find that Gen 8 is definitely built off of Gen 7’s foundation. Performance isn’t the only consideration here, as the 2800 from the NSA series will be the perfect upgrade for existing users of the 2700.
Without looking into what makes the 2800 such a great option, you could potentially hold your network back from what it needs. Network security isn’t just about having the right firewall hardware, but maintaining hindsight on scalability. This article dives into a comparison of SonicWall NSa 2700 vs NSA 2800, so you feel ready when it’s time to upgrade.
Overview of the SonicWall NSA 2700
The NSA 2700 might be a bit lower in the catalog lineup, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t more than capable for mid-range companies. You can generally determine this by its user cap, which is between 100 and 200 devices.
Here are a few more details for a closer look:
- Firewall Throughput: 5.2 Gbps
- Threat Prevention Throughput: 3 Gbps
- Application Inspecion Throughput: 3.6 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 3.4 Gbps
- Anti-malware Throughput: 2.9 Gbps
If you know anything about firewall hardware, then you know the specs detail a lot more than that alone. However, it’s one of the easier surface-level comparisons you can make against the new NSA 2800.
What's New With The SonicWall NSA 2800 Firewall?
Whether you’re familiar with SonicWall firewalls or not, you’re treading new waters when it comes to the NSA 2800. This model comes from their Gen 8 series of firewall solutions, which is impressive to say the least. Support for 200 to 500 users to an overall higher Gbps across many specs is just the start of the upsides here.
Here’s how the NSA 2800 compares to those hardware specs mentioned above:
- Firewall Throughput: 8 Gbps
- Threat Prevention Throughput: 6 Gbps
- Application Inspection Throughput: 7 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 7 Gbps
- Anti-malware Inspection Throughput: 6 Gbps
As you can see, the 2800 is a lot stronger in essentially every category. Of course, these aren’t the only details that matter when it comes to your network setup. With a focus on medium to larger enterprise networks, the 2800 is a bold and long-term firewall solution.
Direct Comparison of SonicWall NSA 2700 vs NSA 2800
From interface details to storage capacity, to form factor, and even power supply, the datasheets tell it all. Understandably, that can be a lot to sort through, and can make comparing the details a bit confusing to navigate. The table below summarizes many more key details about both SonicWall firewalls to point you down the right path.
| Specifications | NSA 2700 | NSA 2800 |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall Throughput (Gbps) | 5.2 | 8 |
| Threat Prevention Throughput (Gbps) | 3 | 6 |
| Application Inspection Throughput (Gbps) | 3.6 | 7 |
| IPS Throughput (Gbps) | 3.4 | 7 |
| Anti-malware Inspection Throughput (Gbps) | 2.9 | 6 |
| IPSec VPN Throughput (Gbps) | 2.1 | 5.5 |
| Connections per Second | 21,000 | 50,000 |
| Max Connections (SPI) | 1,500,000 | 2,000,000 |
| Site-to-Site VPN Tunnels | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Power Supply | 60W | 90W |
| Storage | 64 GB M.2 | 128 GB M.2 |
| Interface | 16 x 1 GbE 3 x 10G SFP+ 2 x USB 3.0 1 x Console 1 x Management port | 16 x 1 GbE 3 x 10G SFP+ 2 x USB 3.0 1 x Console 1 x Management port |
You’re always free to read into the datasheets any time you like, but the table above is the summary you need to get the ball rolling. It’s evident that the NSA 2800 is quite a bit stronger in pretty much every category. As always, determining which is right for you comes down to a combination of factors. For the most part, this is weighted between your current network security needs and what you’re going to scale to.
Let’s Wrap Up
While the NSA 2700 continues to be a solid performer, many organizations are already finding that their evolving network demands call for more power, advanced security, and future-ready features. Rather than waiting for the NSA 2700 to reach end-of-life, now is the ideal time to upgrade to the NSA 2800—especially if your business needs higher throughput, improved threat protection, or more flexibility to scale. Making the move early ensures you’re not just reacting to a future deadline but actively strengthening your network today.
Want to learn if the NSA 2800 is the right fit for you? Talk one-on-one with the experts at Firewalls.com or request a quote for a new NSA 2800 below.
