PACKETPERF

Primary Device

Palo Alto Networks PA-545-PoE
Palo Alto Networks PA-545-PoE
★ 3.2 Value Score

Technical Specifications

  • Firewall Throughput: 5.0 Gbps
  • Threat Prevention Throughput: 3.0 Gbps
  • IPsec VPN Throughput: 3.0 Gbps
  • Max Sessions: 298,000
  • New Sessions/sec: 55,000
  • Interfaces: 8x 1G RJ45, 4x 1G/2.5G PoE, 4x 1G SFP
  • Form Factor: 1RU

Curation Review

  • ✔ Pros: Silent fanless design ideal for noise-sensitive environments; Integrated PoE with a 181W budget; High performance for branch office class; ML-powered NGFW for real-time protection.
  • ✘ Cons: Significant ongoing costs for required security subscriptions; Lack of 10GbE interfaces limits future-proofing for high-speed local networks; Premium pricing compared to competitors in the same performance bracket.
  • Est. Price: $5,400 - $6,500

Compare Against

Fortinet FortiGate 120G
Fortinet FortiGate 120G
★ 4.4 Value Score

Technical Specifications

  • Firewall Throughput: 39 Gbps
  • Threat Prevention Throughput: 2.8 Gbps
  • IPsec VPN Throughput: 35 Gbps
  • Max Sessions: 3,000,000
  • New Sessions/sec: 140,000
  • Interfaces: 18x GE RJ45 (incl. MGMT/HA), 8x GE SFP, 4x 10GE SFP+
  • Form Factor: 1RU Rack Mount

Curation Review

  • ✔ Pros: Exceptional throughput powered by the new FortiSP5 ASIC; High-density 10GE connectivity for a mid-range appliance; Dual redundant power supplies included; Integrated SD-WAN and ZTNA support.
  • ✘ Cons: High cost of mandatory security subscriptions; FortiOS can have a steep learning curve; Support and licensing can be expensive compared to lower-tier brands.
  • Est. Price: $2,900 - $3,960

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