If you’ve been eyeing new firewall hardware, comparing the Sophos XGS 87 vs XG 86 vs XG 85 can offer some perspective. New firewalls hitting the market is a pretty common pattern, especially when you’re facing end-of-life dates for each model.
Between the feature limitations of the XG series and what newfound benefits come with XGS, there’s a lot to think about. While many XG Sophos firewalls are still getting service support, you won’t find them for sale anymore. This article takes a look at the Sophos firewall XGS 87 and what makes it a leap forward compared to the XG 86 and XG 85.
Transparency in Sophos XGS 87 vs XG 86 vs XG 85
One could argue the differences are obvious, but only if you know where to look. Regardless of the manufacturer, it’s common for new firewall models to be on the horizon. Although there is more than one upside to this, a lot of it has to do with meeting the demands of modern cyber security needs.
This is especially true when it comes to business, as network security is crucial all around the clock. Having the right Sophos firewall appliance is a part of making that happen, but knowing which is right for you can be difficult to pinpoint. Focusing on current and future expectations for your network security can help you navigate to the right Sophos firewall.
What is the Sophos XGS 87?
There’s a lot to be said about small business firewalls, and the XGS 87 is a leading example. Built for one to 10 users, it’s a great segue for businesses on track for growth. This also makes it a secure firewall solution that’ll be well worth the investment in the long run.
Here are a few important specs to take note of:
- Firewall Throughput: 3,700 Mbps
- IPS Throughput: 1,015 Mbps
- Threat Protection Throughput: 240 Mbps
- Concurrent Connections: 1,600,000
- New Connections per Second: 35,700
If you’re new to these figures, then they may not mean much yet. Once they’re stacked up against other models, it’ll make a lot more sense.
What is the XG 86?
At one time, the XG 86 was an optimal choice, but current users are looking to make a shift considering its end of life in 2025. This is a big influence to switch to the XGS 87, but that doesn’t mean its specs don’t still hold up.
As a quick example, here are a few specs you can compare with the XGS 87:
- Firewall Throughput: 3,100 Mbps
- IPS Throughput: 480 Mbps
- Threat Protection Throughput: 145 Mbps
- Concurrent Connections: 1,570,000
- New Connections per Second: 14,500
It’s understandable why anyone would see this as a step-down. In reality, it’s more than enough for many small businesses in today’s world. Just like the XGS 87, this Sophos firewall model had to come from somewhere as well. While the specifications may be rather close to each other, the XG 85 carved out its own popularity for several reasons.
What is the Sophos XG 85?
While you won’t find impressively advanced features with this particular model, it used to be a top choice at one point in time as well. The Sophos XG 85 met its end of life back in 2022. Aside from this, it stands as a great reference to how far Sophos firewall tech has come.
Take a look at the specs below to see how the XG 85 compares to the other firewall models:
- Firewall Throughput: 3,000 Mbps
- IPS Throughput: 580 Mbps
- Anti-Virus Throughput (proxy): 360 Mbps
- Concurrent Connections: 3,200,000
- New Connections per Second: 15,000
Regardless of which one you focus on, all three of these firewall models are aimed at smaller organizations. If you’re in the space of having to make a decision on upgrading, then it can help to simplify your approach a bit.
Your Next Steps in Sophos Firewall Tech
Sizing up each firewall model and focusing on the most important specs can do wonders for streamlining your decision-making. While upgrading may seem simple, this isn’t always the case, as there’s a lot to consider from a technical standpoint.
| Specifications | Sophos XGS 87 | XG 86 | XG 85 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firewall Throughput (Mbps) | 3,000 | 3,100 | 3,700 |
| IPS Throughput (Mbps) | 580 | 480 | 1,015 |
| Threat Protection Throughput (Mbps) | N/A | 145 | 240 |
| Anti-Virus Throughput (Mbps) | 360 (proxy) | N/A | N/A |
| Concurrent Connections | 3,200,000 | 1,570,000 | 1,600,000 |
| New Connections per Sec. | 15,000 | 14,500 | 35,700 |
| Xstream SSL/TLS Inspection | No | No | Yes |
| Wireless Interface | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) |
| Physical Interface | 8 GB eMMC 4 GbE Copper 2 x USB 2.0 1 x Micro-USB 1 x COM (RJ45) | 16 GB eMMC 4 GbE copper 2 x USB 2.0 1 x Micro-USB 1 x COM (RJ45) | 16 GB eMMC 4 x GbE copper 1 x SFP fiber 1 x COM RJ45 1 x Micro-USB 1 x USB 2.0 1 x USB 3.0 |
| Power Supply | External auto-ranging DC: 12V, 100-240VAC, 24W@50-60 Hz | External auto-ranging DC: 12V, 100-240VAC, 24W@50-60 Hz | External auto-ranging AC-DC 100-240VAC, 1.7A@50-60 Hz 12VDC, 5A, 60W |
There’s no need to get tripped up when it comes to upgrading your network security. You won’t be hard-pressed to find a firewall solution, but picking the right one is important. If you simply keep an eye on how the specs change and compare them to your business needs, you can get aligned pretty easily.
Final Thoughts
From network security firewalls and VPNs to everything in between, the topic as a whole can be a little overwhelming. In this case, the Sophos XGS 87 stands tall as the right choice for any small business looking to scale without interruption. For any specific questions or concerns, the Firewalls team is always here if you need us.
