Considering there’s only a minor difference in the series name; it makes sense why you might have questions about Sophos XGS 136 vs XG 135. Going through upgrades and releasing new models is part of the firewall business, but that doesn’t make it any easier to keep up with.
For example, there are many current users of the XG 135 Sophos firewall that will eventually have to make a change next year. This device’s end-of-life (EOL) is coming in March of 2025, making the XGS 136 an easy upgrade.
This is entirely intentional on the part of Sophos, but it’s still important to understand what changes have been made. As you read through this article, you’ll go through tech specs that highlight the differences between the Sophos XGS 136 and XG 135 firewall models.
A Brief Breakdown of Sophos XGS 136 vs XG 135
If you’re looking for a short version, you get overall improved performance from the XGS 136. This is heavily influenced by its dual-processor architecture, compared to the previous single processor from the XG 135.
This is just one example of how the XGS shines through this comparison, on top of other details like improved TLS inspection and more. For the IT teams, a lot of this terminology makes perfect sense, but for the everyday business owner, the XGS 136 better prepares you for the future.
What is the XGS 136 Sophos Firewall Appliance?
Although both firewalls in question are built for small to mid-size businesses, the XGS 136 is rated for up to 200 users. This may not seem wildly impressive, but it definitely covers the needs of smaller organizations. Take a look at the specs below to get a better visual of what this firewall can do.
- Firewall Throughput: 11,500 Mbps
- IPS Throughput: 3,300 Mbps
- Threat Protection Throughput: 1,000 Mbps
- New Connections per Second: 74,500
When you stack this up against what the XG 135 can do, you’ll start to see why users may eventually want to upgrade. This is aside from the fact that the XG 135 is facing its EOL in 2025.
What is the Sophos XG 135?
Better suited for small businesses or branch offices, the Sophos XG 135 is a decent option for those who are working with together budgets. This approach considered more than just upfront costs; it also considered the cost of ongoing operations as well.
Here are a few bullet points for a surface-level comparison to the XGS 136:
- Firewall Throughput: 8,000 Mbps
- IPS Throughput: 2,480 Mbps
- Threat Protection Throughput: N/A
- Antivirus Throughput (Proxy): 1,580 Mbps
Even though this is a firewall Sophos is sending to the graveyard in 2025, it’s still important to understand where exactly the XGS 136 offers an upgrade. The best way to do that is to stack the specifications right next to each other for a direct comparison.
The Sophos XGS 136 vs XG 135 In Depth
If you’re currently working with the XG 135, then some kind of upgrade should be on your mind, regardless of the XGS 136 specifically. Aside from that, there’s a reason the Sophos XGS 136 is seen as the direct segue from the 135. If you aren’t already a believer, the table below showcases how the XGS 136 is a stronger choice here.
| Specification | Cisco Meraki MX250 | Cisco Meraki MX450 |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall Throughput (Mbps) | 4,000 | 6,000 |
| Advanced Security Throughput (Mbps) | 2,000 | 4,000 |
| Max VPN Throughput | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| Max Concurrent VPN Tunnels | 3,000 | 5,000 |
| Number of Users | 750 - 1,000 | 1,000 - 2,500 |
| Wan Interfaces Dedicated | 2 x 10GbE SFP+ 1 x USB (cellular failover) | 2 x 10GbE SFP+ 1 x USB (cellular failover) |
| LAN Interfaces Fixed | 8 x GbE (RJ45) 8 x GbE (SFP) 8 x 10GbE (SFP+) | 8 x GbE (RJ45) 8 x GbE (SFP) 8 x 10GbE (SFP+) |
| Power Supply | Modular 100-220V 50/60Hz AC 2 x 250WAC PSU | Modular 100-220V 50/60Hz AC 2 x 250WAC PSU |
If you want to take your curiosity even further, it never hurts to look at the Sophos firewall wire diagram to learn more about how they work. The reality is that as the years pass by, it’s likely that the XGS 136 will eventually become an outdated model. At this time, the XG 135 isn’t the right investment or long-term firewall solution for modern network security.
The Bottom Line
While the XG 135 was at the top of its game at one point in time, that isn’t the case in today’s world. If you’re a growing small business and you need a reliable network security solution, the Sophos XGS 136 isn’t a bad starting point.
For those merely looking for some extra support in their firewall journey, we’re always a click away from the answers you’re looking for. Reach out to us any time for the insight you need on Sophos firewall appliances.
