✔ Pros:Solid mid-range throughput for enterprise deployments; Comprehensive threat prevention and inspection capabilities; Mature IPsec and SSL VPN support with good performance; Reliable platform with strong stability record; Deep integration with Cisco security ecosystem and management tools
✘ Cons:Aging platform with end-of-life approaching; Insufficient throughput for high-performance environments; High ongoing licensing and support costs; Complex configuration requiring specialized Cisco expertise; Limited scalability compared to newer Secure Firewall 4000-series models
Est. Price:
$15,000 - $24,000
Compare Against
Aruba (HPE) Aruba 9106 Gateway
★ 4.3 Value Score
Technical Specifications
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Spatial Streams (MIMO): 4x4 MU-MIMO
Aggregate Throughput: 2.4 Gbps
Radios: Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
2.4 GHz Throughput: 574 Mbps (802.11ax)
5 GHz Throughput: 1.2 Gbps (802.11ax)
Uplink Port Speed: Multi-Gigabit (10GBase-T capable with optional modules)
Max Clients: 250+
PoE Requirement: 95W (High Power PoE)
Form Factor: Compact wall-mount or ceiling-mount
Security: WPA3, 802.1X, Built-in WIPS
Curation Review
✔ Pros:Exceptional Wi-Fi 6 performance with high client density support; Integrated wireless controller reduces infrastructure complexity; Strong enterprise security features with WPA3 and threat detection; Flexible deployment (wall/ceiling mount); Excellent range and coverage
✘ Cons:High power consumption requires robust PoE infrastructure; Limited to wireless access point role, not a standalone gateway/firewall; Expensive upfront licensing for management and analytics; Proprietary controller integration required; May be overkill for small deployments