PACKETPERF

Primary Device

Cisco Secure Firewall 4245
Cisco Secure Firewall 4245
★ 3.3 Value Score

Technical Specifications

  • Firewall Throughput: 45.0 Gbps
  • Threat Prevention Throughput: 25.0 Gbps
  • IPsec VPN Throughput: 8.5 Gbps
  • Max Sessions: 750000
  • New Sessions/sec: 60000
  • Interfaces: 8x Gigabit Ethernet + 2x 10GbE SFP+
  • Form Factor: 1U Rack-mount

Curation Review

  • ✔ Pros: High firewall throughput (45 Gbps) with solid threat prevention performance (25 Gbps) suitable for mid-to-large enterprise networks; Strong VPN capabilities with 8.5 Gbps IPsec throughput supporting secure remote access and site-to-site connectivity for distributed organizations; Extensive port density (8x 1GE + 2x 10GE) with built-in redundancy support enables deployment flexibility and high-availability configurations
  • ✘ Cons: Relatively high acquisition cost ($18.5K-$24.5K) requires significant capital investment with ongoing Cisco security licenses adding 15-25% annual operational costs; IPsec VPN throughput (8.5 Gbps) is substantially lower than firewall throughput, creating bottlenecks for encryption-heavy architectures; Management complexity and steep learning curve requiring specialized Cisco certifications (CCNA Security, CCNP Security) for optimal maintenance
  • Est. Price: $18,500 - $24,500

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

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