If there’s one thing you can trust about SonicWall, it’s their consistency with developing stellar firewall hardware. A leading manufacturer of modern cybersecurity solutions, their Gen 8 firewalls in the TZ series have finally hit the market. Now, it’s time to compare the SonicWall TZ370 vs TZ380 to see what’s new.
While both of these firewalls are deemed high-performance, there are a few key differences you’ll want to know about. This is especially true if you want to continue scaling your network security architecture alongside your business.
From small business application to enterprise-grade security features, you want to be prepared to upgrade when the time is right. This article makes sure you know what you’re getting into by comparing the two firewalls, from their specs to best use cases and other important details.
The Expansion of the SonicWall TZ Series
For those with an existing firewall device from the TZ series, you’re likely already familiar with how the lineup has changed over time. If you’re new here, then it might feel a bit challenging to hone in on which option is best for your business.
A new generation of firewalls isn’t just about new features, but being prepared to keep your business network secure for the years ahead. Whether you’re looking for an upgrade or different firewall providers you can rely on, you’re in the right place. Both the TZ370 and TZ380 have their place in the world of cybersecurity, but only one will be the right choice for your organization’s network demands.
What is the SonicWall TZ370?
A well-respected model in network security firewalls, the TZ370 is a staple in their Gen 7 tech. It’s important to note that just because Gen 8 has made its way to market, that doesn’t mean Gen 7 is immediately on its way out. The TZ370’s end of life (EOL) date hasn’t been announced, making it still more than a viable option.
Here are a few specs you’ll want to take note of:
- Firewall Throughput: 3 Gbps
- Threat Prevention Throughput: 1 Gbps
- Application Throughput: 1.5 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 1.5 Gbps
- Max Connections (SPI): 900,000
Sure, there’s a lot more to this hardware, but these specs are a great starting point when it comes to a comparison. Reviewing the throughput in several categories will give you an idea of how this particular model stacks up to the next. While this is more than enough for many growing small businesses, it still hits a cap in some ways that may be below what you’re looking for.
What is the SonicWall TZ380?
It’s safe to say the TZ380 will have a leg up across several categories, but you shouldn’t approach this with a generalized assumption. You want to know exactly what you’re looking for and what you’re getting when it comes to network firewall hardware.
Below is a brief comparison of the same specification categories mentioned above:
- Firewall Throughput: 3.5 Gbps
- Threat Prevention Throughput: 1.5 Gbps
- Application Throughput: 2 Gbps
- IPS Throughput: 2 Gbps
- Max Connections (SPI): 1,100,000
Although these aren’t the only details that matter, it’s pretty clear where the TZ380 sits in comparison. Where the decision-making comes in is determining whether this is exactly what you need, or a bit overkill for the current state of your business. Nevertheless, sometimes what’s needed is a clear side-by-side comparison that you can easily reference as you go through this process.
Sizing Up the SonicWall TZ370 vs TZ380 Network Security Firewalls
Reviewing the throughput on each firewall is a good place to start, but that isn’t all that matters in the long run. Other details like interface design, max connection capacity, and the unique features of firewall devices matter just as much. Check out the table below to see how these firewalls stack up against each other across several important categories.
| Specifications | SonicWall TZ670 | SonicWall TZ680 |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall Throughput (Gbps) | 3 | 3.5 |
| Threat Prevention Throughput (Gbps) | 1 | 1.5 |
| Application Inspection Throughput (Gbps) | 1.5 | 2 |
| IPS Throughput (Gbps) | 1.5 | 2 |
| IPsec VPN Throughput (Gbps) | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| Connections per Second | 9,000 | 15,000 |
| Max Connections (SPI) | 900,000 | 1,100,000 |
| Max Connections (DPI) | 200,000 | 250,000 |
| Site-to-Site VPN Tunnels | 100 | 200 |
| Interfaces | 8 x 1 GbE 2 USB 3.0 1 Console | 8 x 1 GbE Cu 2 x 5G/2.5G/1G SFP+ 1 console (Micro-USB) 1 USB (type-C) |
Getting your start with Gen 8 in the TZ series isn’t solely about feature sets. It’s about preparing your business network security for the future. There are many reasons why new firewall models are common in the cybersecurity industry. A leading factor is the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats, and the hardware and solutions needed to combat them.
The Final Word
The TZ series from SonicWall has been around for quite some time, but that doesn’t mean it’s an outdated solution by any means. You’ll find this to be especially true when taking a look at everything Gen 8 has to offer.
A lot of this can be seen in the comparisons above, and the TZ380 isn’t your only option in the new Gen 8 lineup. As always, if you feel like you could use some extra guidance on the topic, reach out to us at Firewalls, and we’ll make sure you end up with the right piece of hardware.
