Tag: xg 106

Sophos XG 86 & XG 106 function as secure VPN appliances

Sophos XG 86 & XG 106 firewalls stand in as secure VPN appliances

Sophos XG 86 and Sophos XG 106 appliances are powerful next generation firewalls many small businesses use to as their primary cyber threat defense. However, these mighty little devices are far more versatile than admins give them credit for! Did you know the XG 86 and XG 106 can both stand in as dedicated VPN platforms to secure temporary remote work spikes? So you won’t need a Sophos RED (remote ethernet device) or other comparable VPN appliance.

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Sophos XG 86 firewall

A Sophos XG 86 firewall costs about the same as a Sophos RED and similar competing remote access devices. Yet it can perform even better than SMA devices if a split-tunnel deployment is required. This substitution is possible because Sophos XG firewalls come with a basic set of security features and services. They include the ability to deploy Sophos site-to-site VPN tunnels. Since this feature is part of the XG firewall base license, that also means no recurring fees or renewals are necessary.

Remote access security ensured

With your remote workers accessing company applications and resources through a firewall-facilitated VPN tunnel, you ensure the onboard and advanced Sophos security features they enjoy at the office protect users working from home as well. Those include Network Protection, Synchronized Security, and the Sophos Heartbeat. Bundle your Sophos XG 86 firewall with an EnterpriseProtect Plus package that includes advanced Web Protection to get a solution ideal for split-tunnel VPN deployments.

Ease management & deployment of remote access users

Another great benefit of using your Sophos XG 86 or XG 106 firewall as a stand-in for a secure remote access device is ease of management. Manage all your site-to-site tunnels and connected users intuitively through the Sophos XG Firewall single-pane-of-glass management dashboard. Simplify remote work chaos by monitoring and managing traffic with the same tools you would in the home office.

Sophos XG 86 vs Sophos RED

  • Remote workers returning? XG 86 can shift back to a security role
  • XG 86 offers more flexible secure access options like SSL & IPSec VPN
  • Centrally manage XG 86 VPN deployments with Sophos Central
  • Protect traffic routed through split tunnel setups that Sophos RED does not secure

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Sophos RED 15 secure access device

How to use an XG Firewall for secure remote access

Using an XG 86 or XG 106 (for even more power and user support) in place of a RED or similar secure access device is simple. A Sophos XG firewall will act as a server that waits for incoming connection requests. This is quick and easy to configure with a few clicks to turn on “RED Status.” You can see full detailed instructions for this VPN setup in the Sophos Knowledge Base.

 

Reviewing the Features and Specs of the New Sophos XG 86 and XG 106 Firewalls

Sophos XG 86 and XG 106

Spring is the season for the New, and Sophos has sprung forth with the XG 86 and XG 106 firewalls – the latest additions to the XG firewall family. These models replace the Sophos XG 85 and XG 105 appliances – providing new options in the desktop firewall market for small business and other small office networks. While the physical appearance, software offerings, and most technical specifications remain the same as their predecessors, the XG 86 and XG 106 come complete with 4 GB of RAM – double that of the previous iterations. And at 16 GB, the XG 86 also features two times the embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC) storage of the XG 85.

Before we go further discussing these new firewall models, let’s back up and talk about the Sophos XG firewall family. XG firewalls are known for top notch visibility into both known & unknown threats. They see & stop malware, and ensure your network is secure – automatically. Top 3rd-party evaluators like Gartner, NSS Labs, and SC Media have found Sophos XG firewalls to be leaders of the network security pack. As part of a Synchronized Security Solution, Sophos XG firewalls can be managed with the Sophos Central cloud console, offering real-time communication with your endpoints and other security solutions around the clock through the Sophos Security Heartbeat. With that background, we turn our video spotlight to the new XG 86 and XG 106 firewalls in our latest feature review:

Sophos XG 86/86W Spec Snapshot

Here’s a quick snapshot of the technical specifications for this small business firewall:

Sophos XG 86

Max Firewall Throughput: 3 Gbps

NGFW Throughput: 310 Mbps

Available Interface Ports: 2xUSB; Micro USB; RJ45; 4xGbE Copper

Concurrent Connections: 3,200,000

New Connections/Second: 15,000

See the full Sophos XG Firewall Series Datasheet

Sophos XG 106/106W Spec Snapshot

Here’s a quick snapshot of the technical specifications for this small business firewall:

Sophos XG 106

Max Firewall Throughput: 3.5 Gbps

NGFW Throughput: 480 Mbps

Available Interface Ports: HDMI; 2xUSB; Micro USB; RJ45; SFP; 4xGbE Copper

Concurrent Connections: 3,200,000

New Connections/Second: 28,000

See the full Sophos XG Firewall Series Datasheet

More firewall feature reviews to see

If you’re still shopping around for the right firewall, we have more videos to compare your options. You’ll find feature reviews of the:

Already watched all the videos? Not to worry, we’ve got plenty of additional resources to help you find the firewall that’s right for your network. Take a look through our firewall buyer’s guide series and peruse our convenient comparison tables.

Focused on Sophos?

To take a deeper dive into your Sophos network security options, read through our Sophos Buyer’s Guide. In it, you’ll find information about different Sophos firewall series, security bundles, services, & even a glossary of terms to help you navigate your Sophos NGFW shopping journey.

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