With the new advancements in Gen 8 tech from SonicWall, businesses are starting to compare the SonicWall NSA 3700 vs NSA 3800. Understandably so, as the first thing that comes to mind about new-gen firewalls is, what exactly makes it different?
A lot of that can be determined by looking at the datasheet, but that doesn’t make for a very streamlined comparison. Whereas both firewall models are more than capable in today’s market, the NSA 3800 is better prepared for the future. This article highlights exactly why that is by focusing on the specifications that help Gen 8 stand out from the crowd.
A New Generation of Enterprise Firewalls
SonicWall is no stranger to developing enterprise-level firewall solutions. However, they’re more than aware of the fact that innovation can’t ever stop in this space. If businesses are going to protect their network security for the long term, they need infrastructure that can match that demand.
Once again, for the record, the NSA 3700 still stands strong as a viable option. However, when compared to the new benefits found in Gen 8 SonicWall firewalls, you might feel a bit differently. From a bird’s-eye view, Gen 8 firewalls like the NSA 3800 deliver stronger performance across the board. To know if it’s time to make a transition, you need to know what kind of specs you’re committing to.
What is the SonicWall NSA 3700 Firewall?
Geared more towards mid-range operations, the NSA 3700 firewall is impressive in its own right. It’s built to support 200 to 300 users, and there are several security licenses available offering a variety of benefits.
Here’s a quick look at the specs in the SonicWall NSA 3700:
- Firewall Throughput: 5.5 Gbps
- Threat Prevention Throughput: 3.5 Gbps
- Application Inspection Throughput: 4.2 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 3.8 Gbps
- IPSec VPN Throughput: 2.10 Gbps
It’s safe to assume the firewall offers a lot more than that, but it’s definitely a good reference for what it can do. More than supportive for many operations, but those same companies will eventually be eyeing something better. That’s where the 3800 network security appliance comes into the discussion.
What's new with the SonicWall NSA 3800 Firewall?
While you can definitely find some similarities in Gen 8 hardware, there’s a lot more to help it stand out on its own. More specifically, the NSA 3800 can withstand 200 to 500 users, clearly rated for organizations that are expecting some growth.
Check out the same specs below for a quick look at how the 3800 differs:
- Firewall Throughput: 12 Gbps
- Threat Prevention Throughput: 8 Gbps
- Application Inspection Throughput: 9 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 8 Gbps
- IPSec VPN Throughput: 8 Gbps
Clearly, Gen 8 is quite a bit stronger on every level here. For those who know anything about network security or firewall tech, you know that isn’t the only data that matters. Interface details, connection thresholds, and storage are other details that matter just as much.
Choosing Between SonicWall NSA 3700 vs NSA 3800
Aside from the technical aspects here, it’s also important to remember that every firewall model eventually reaches its end of life. That means the NSA 3700 will eventually start to phase out, making the 3800 an obvious choice.
For right now, you won’t have to worry about it as that date hasn’t even been announced. The table below gives you the actionable information you need to discern which firewall model is right for your operation.
| Specifications | NSA 3700 | NSA 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall Throughput (Gbps) | 5.5 | 12 |
| Threat Prevention Throughput (Gbps) | 3.5 | 8 |
| Application Inspection Throughput (Gbps) | 4.2 | 9 |
| IPS Throughput (Gbps) | 3.8 | 8 |
| IPSec VPN Throughput (Gbps) | 2.1 | 8 |
| Anti-malware Inspection Throughput (Gbps) | 3.5 | 8 |
| Connections per Second | 22,000 | 90,000 |
| Max Connections (SPI) | 2,000,000 | 3,000,000 |
| Site-to-Site VPN Tunnels | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| Storage | 128GB M.2 | 256GB M.2 |
| Interface | 24 x 1GbE 6 x 10G SFP+ 4 x 5G SFP+ 2 x USB 3.0 1 Console 1 Mgmt. port | 24 x 1GbE 6 x 10G SFP+ 4 x 5G SFP+ 2 x USB 3.0 1 Console 1 Mgmt. port |
Even if they share a few similarities, the NSA 3800 shouldn’t really be looked at in the same light here. It’s the perfect upgrade from the 3700 and offers much more long-term security. You don’t need to jump ship from your current network security setup. However, now that Gen 8 is here, you can expect it to be seen as a norm for many mid-range to enterprise-level operations.
Let’s Wrap Up
If you work in IT, cybersecurity, or any other aspect of managing network security, then this tech should make you feel excited. Not only is SonicWall a trustworthy manufacturer, but they deliver time and time again on relevant firewall hardware.
When it comes to SonicWall NSA 3700 vs NSA 3800, the data points to the 3800 being a better option if you want your network to be future-proof. As always, don’t hesitate to come speak with our team about the new Gen 8 firewalls, providing expert guidance on selecting effective firewall solutions.
