If you know anything about the firewall industry, then you might have heard talks about SonicWall NSa Gen 8 landing on the market. This is more than just a new piece of hardware being introduced. It offers enhancements in the hardware, but you’ll find even more when it comes to surrounding architectures and services.
Considering the rapidly changing state of network security, modern solutions are more than welcome. Many traditional firewall solutions don’t hold up in today’s world, much of which stems from the new norm of hybrid and cloud work environments.
SonicWall NSa Gen 8 is impressive, featuring highlights like superior TLS performance, 64 GB storage that’s expandable, and more. This article is going to give you a straightforward look at what makes the new SonicWall NSa Gen 8 firewalls worth it.
How SonicWall NSa Gen 8 NSa Firewalls Stand Out
The specifications have all of the finite details, but a lot of this may not mean much without some context. Compared to previous generations from the manufacturer, Gen 8 firewalls see enhancements in areas like firewall, IPS, and threat prevention throughput.
Of course, the benefits don’t stop there. These are next-gen firewalls built for mid-range to larger enterprises, you’re getting top-tier performance on top of cost-efficiency. To add to that, both Gen 8 models, the NSa 2800 and 3800 boast the lowest total cost of ownership in their class. Before we break into all of the technicalities, it doesn’t hurt to start with a quick summary.
Key Features of SonicWall NSa Gen 8 Firewalls
There’s a lot to appreciate about this new generation of SonicWall firewalls. If you’re familiar with the manufacturer’s catalog, then some of these features might sound familiar. In the same vein, there are many technical highlights that completely surpass the capabilities of their Gen 7 hardware.
Here are a few key features that stand out:
- Runs on SonicOS 8, known for supporting enterprise-ready workflows
- Built-in support for Wi-Fi 6 firewall management
- Expandable onboard storage
- Higher throughput capabilities
- Threat research intelligence integration from SonicWall Capture Labs
- High-performance TLS 1.3 inspection
- Stellar port density with HA support and dual power supplies
- Built-in support for Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
It’s evident that the SonicWall products under Gen 8 are a powerhouse on their own. However, for some of you, these details about Gen 8 may not mean much without a clear comparison as a reference point.
How Does Gen 8 Compare to Previous Generations?
Regarding the NSa 2800 and NSa 3800, there are many firewall models from previous generations that would make for a good comparison. To help keep the information streamlined and digestible, the table below offers a comparison between the NSa 2650 and NSa 2800. At a glance, you can see where the 2800 brought some upgrades to the table.
| Specifications | NSA 2650 | NSA 2800 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 GbE SFP+ Interfaces | 0 | 3 |
| Firewall Throughput (Gbps) | 3 | 8 |
| IPS Throughput (Gbps) | 1.4 | 6 |
| Threat Prevention Throughput (Gbps) | 1.5 | 6 |
| TLS/SSL Inspection Throughput | 300 Mbps | 1.8 Gbps |
| Site-to-Site VPN Tunnels | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| Built-in Storage | 16GB | 64GB |
| Max Connections | 1,000,000 | 2,000,000 |
| SonicOS 8 Support | No | Yes |
| Managed Firewall Services | No | Yes |
| Integration with Cloud Secure Edge for ZTNA | No | Yes |
For the most part, the trend in comparisons continues from there, with the NSa 2800 surpassing in pretty much every category. Remember that these new Gen 8 SonicWall network security appliances aren’t aimed at new or smaller organizations. For those who have been growing for a while or expect to continue to scale, Gen 8 is an excellent option.
Noting the Future-Proof Design
Investing in future-proof firewall hardware is crucial for more than one reason, but a lot of it has to do with the trajectory of network security. Potential threats are more abundant than ever, and businesses need to have their attack surfaces covered. Not only that, but covered in multiple security layers.
Being future-proof in this context means being prepared for unexpected cyber threats. While there are many well-known threats that are relatively easy to defend against, that isn’t always the case.
Your business is better off by staying one step ahead, especially considering what’s at stake, not to mention laws and regulations around data compliance. Support for modern architecture, such as SD-WAN, hybrid cloud, and zero-trust security models, is important too. In short, going with a Gen 8 SonicWall firewall will have you ready for the years ahead. The realm of network security is going to continue to evolve at a pretty quick pace, which means you want to be proactive about protection.
The Bottom Line
It’s always exciting when new firewall hardware hits the market, but Gen 8 truly impresses beyond what we’re used to from SonicWall. The NSa 2800 and 3800 are aimed at larger companies, but that equally makes them a great segue from growing operations.
Small businesses will eventually need the power that these types of firewalls can deliver. If you’d like to learn more about Gen 8 SonicWall products, our expertise is just a click away. Get in touch with us to learn how you can apply Gen 8 SonicWall tech to your network infrastructure.
