PACKETPERF

Primary Device

Cisco Secure Firewall 4225
Cisco Secure Firewall 4225
★ 3.2 Value Score

Technical Specifications

  • Firewall Throughput: 2.0 Gbps
  • Threat Prevention Throughput: 500 Mbps
  • IPsec VPN Throughput: 500 Mbps
  • Max Sessions: 8 Million
  • New Sessions/sec: 50,000
  • Interfaces: 8 u00d7 Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45)
  • Form Factor: 1 RU Rackmount

Curation Review

  • ✔ Pros: Robust mid-to-high-end threat protection with dual-core processing; Scalable session handling for enterprise networks; Strong IPsec VPN performance for remote access and site-to-site connectivity; Comprehensive Snort IPS/IDS integration; Flexible deployment options (standalone or clustering); Mature platform with extensive Cisco ecosystem integration
  • ✘ Cons: Performance overhead when Threat Prevention enabled reduces effective throughput; Higher total cost of ownership with mandatory security subscriptions; Requires additional licensing for advanced threat protection beyond basic firewall; Power consumption ~900W impacts data center operating costs; Proprietary CLI learning curve for network administrators; Limited modern container/cloud-native security capabilities compared to next-generation firewalls
  • Est. Price: $8,500 - $14,999

Compare Against

Palo Alto Networks ION 3200H-C5G-WW
Palo Alto Networks ION 3200H-C5G-WW
★ 4.3 Value Score

Technical Specifications

  • Device Type: 5G Cellular Gateway / SD-WAN Branch
  • Cellular Connectivity: 5G NR (FR1), LTE, 3G fallback
  • Broadband Interfaces: 2u00d7 Gigabit Ethernet (WAN)
  • LAN Interfaces: 4u00d7 Gigabit Ethernet
  • Management Port: 1u00d7 10/100 Ethernet
  • Throughput (5G): Up to 1 Gbps (5G downlink dependent on carrier)
  • Max Concurrent Sessions: 250,000+
  • Form Factor: Desktop/Rack-mountable
  • Dimensions: 430 u00d7 258 u00d7 44 mm
  • Weight: ~2.3 kg
  • Power Consumption: 90-150W
  • PoE Support: No
  • SD-WAN Features: Multi-WAN load balancing, failover, dynamic path selection

Curation Review

  • ✔ Pros: Dual WAN with 5G cellular provides automatic failover; Native SD-WAN simplifies branch connectivity; Compact form factor suitable for small offices; Supports multiple carriers with fallback; Enterprise-class security and DPI capabilities
  • ✘ Cons: Higher initial capital cost compared to traditional broadband-only gateways; 5G coverage varies by region and carrier; Requires separate cellular contract/SIM; Limited to Gigabit Ethernet speeds on wired interfaces; May require professional installation and configuration
  • Est. Price: $4,500 - $6,500

Popular Comparisons

Cisco Secure Firewall 4225 vs Fortinet FortiGate 400G Cisco Secure Firewall 4225 vs Aruba (HPE) Aruba 9106 Gateway Cisco Secure Firewall 4225 vs Palo Alto Networks ION 3200 Cisco Secure Firewall 4225 vs Palo Alto Networks ION 3200H-C5G-WW Cisco Secure Firewall 4225 vs Ubiquiti Dream Machine Special Edition (UDM-SE)