Comparing Features and Performance: Fortinet FortiGate Firewall 60F vs 80F vs 100F Showdown

Selecting a firewall from the Fortinet FortiGate Firewall 60F vs 80F vs 100F models requires a balanced look at functionality and fit. This concise guide scrutinizes each model’s capacities, security features, and scalability to pinpoint which matches your network’s scale and security requirements. Whether you gravitate towards the efficient 60F, the flexible 80F, or the expansive 100F, you’ll finish this article with a clear direction for your cybersecurity investment.

Key Takeaways

• The FortiGate 60F, 80F, and 100F are tailored for small to mid-sized business security needs, with intuitive FortiOS operation and proprietary FortiASIC processors for robust cyber threat defense and high performance.

• FortiGate 80F provides mid-range businesses with 10 Gbps firewall throughput, security through Unified Threat Protection, and expansion options for adapting to the growth of the business.

• The FortiGate 100F offers enterprise-grade features with advanced security services, high-speed and scalable performance for demanding networks, effectively managing up to 1.5 million concurrent sessions.

Comparing the FortiGate 60F, 80F, and 100F: An Overview

Fortinet firewalls are more than mere barriers; they are the architects of a secure network environment. The FortiGate 60F, 80F, and 100F embody this philosophy with their tailored solutions for small to mid-sized businesses, ensuring a robust defense against the ever-growing cyber threats. These models are the fruits of Fortinet’s expertise, combining the intuitive FortiOS operating system with the prowess of proprietary FortiASIC processors to deliver performance that transcends expectations.

Key features of Fortinet firewalls include:

• Intuitive FortiOS operating system

• Proprietary FortiASIC processors

• Robust defense against cyber threats

• Tailored solutions for small to mid-sized businesses

• High performance

Fortinet has cemented its position in the United States as a premier provider of small business firewall solutions, a testament to its commitment to network security and performance.

Fortinet equips each model in the FortiGate lineup with various secure remote access options, from SSL to IPsec VPNs. This guarantees the protection of your workforce, regardless of their location. A deeper examination reveals that these firewalls fulfill a variety of modern business needs, proving their versatility beyond initial impressions.

FortiGate 60F: Compact Powerhouse for Small Businesses

The FortiGate 60F, part of the Fortinet family, stands out as a compact yet powerful solution, providing robust network security for small businesses. Its features include:

• High-speed performance

• Sleek design

• Immense power

• Suite of features to meet complex security demands

With the fortitude to cater to the network needs of all types of small businesses, this model stands as a testament to the notion that size does not dictate capability.

Performance Metrics

For businesses that juggle hundreds of applications and users, the FortiGate 60F delivers without breaking a sweat. With an impressive 1.4 Gbps of IPS throughput and 1 Gbps of NGFW throughput, this device ensures that your network’s performance remains unhampered, even as it fortifies your digital borders. VPN performance is a cornerstone of modern network security, and the 60F shines with a robust VPN throughput of 6.5 Gbps, complemented by an SSL VPN capability of 900 Mbps, empowering your remote workforce to connect securely and efficiently.

Moreover, the ability to manage up to 700,000 concurrent sessions illustrates the 60F’s prowess in supporting a multitude of interactions, a crucial feature for businesses that demand high availability and reliability from their primary firewall. While north-south traffic throughput is a noteworthy metric, the firewall’s real strength against cyber threats is highlighted by the threat protection throughput, where the 60F truly excels.

Network Interfaces and Ports

Connectivity is the lifeblood of any thriving business, and the FortiGate 60F does not disappoint. Equipped with multiple GE RJ45 interfaces, this model offers flexibility in network design, allowing you to tailor your infrastructure to your specific needs. The array of ports includes:

• 2 WAN ports for external connectivity

• 5 internal Ethernet ports for your network’s core

• 2 FortiLink ports for easy integration with other Fortinet products

• a USB port for added versatility

• a console port for direct management

This is a clear indicator of the 60F’s role as a versatile primary firewall for mid-sized businesses.

The model’s internal ports are not just about the numbers; they represent potential. Whether it’s connecting new departments or integrating advanced security services, the 60F offers the flexibility to grow with your business. Its 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps speeds are more than just numbers—they are promises of a network that moves as fast as your company does, ensuring that your operations never miss a beat.

Security Services and Features

Stepping into the realm of security, the FortiGate 60F stands tall with an arsenal of features designed to detect and deter the most persistent of cyber threats. As part of its Unified Threat Management, the 60F offers:

• Next-generation firewall capabilities

• Secure VPN connectivity

• Advanced threat protection

• Web filtering

Each component meticulously crafted to shield your digital assets. This suite of services, including application control, intrusion prevention, antivirus, and web filtering, represents the architectural pillars of a secure network.

Content filtering and gateway antivirus work in tandem with intrusion prevention services, creating a multi-layered defense that ensures comprehensive threat protection. It’s like having a team of elite security guards at every potential entry point, relentlessly scanning for intruders and neutralizing them before they can compromise your network. The 60F’s features do more than just defend—they provide peace of mind, allowing you to concentrate on business growth while it takes care of security.

FortiGate 80F: The Mid-Range Marvel

When your business starts to outgrow its britches, the FortiGate 80F steps in as the mid-range marvel, a beacon of network security for mid-sized businesses. It’s designed to handle the increased complexity of a growing company, offering enhanced features and a security processor that’s ready to tackle the modern cyber landscape head-on.

With the 80F, Fortinet introduces a model that transcends mere incremental improvements, integrating power-over-ethernet options, improved internal storage, and a USB port for additional WAN connectivity, representing a significant leap forward compared from its predecessor.

Throughput and Capacity

The FortiGate 80F is more than just a firewall - it’s a dynamic powerhouse designed to handle the continually growing demands of network traffic. With a firewall throughput capacity of 10 Gbps, it’s built to handle the data deluge of mid-sized businesses without breaking a sweat. Its threat protection throughput of 900 Mbps and IPS throughput of 1.4 Gbps are more than just impressive figures; they’re a testament to the 80F’s ability to provide robust threat protection and against advanced threats while maintaining network performance.

Secure communication is the cornerstone of modern business operations, and the 80F’s high VPN throughput at 950 Mbps ensures that your sensitive data remains confidential and secure, regardless of where it travels. It’s not just about the numbers—it’s about the confidence that your network is fortified with the strength to withstand the onslaught of cyber threats and the agility to adapt to the evolving digital landscape.

Expansion Options

As your business expands, so must your network, and the FortiGate 80F provides the necessary expansion features to accommodate this growth. With 8 GE RJ45 ports and 2 shared media WAN ports, the 80F provides the flexibility to expand your network’s reach, ensuring that no corner of your company is left unprotected. These connectivity options are not just about adding more devices; they’re about creating a cohesive, secure network that adapts to your company’s growth, enabling you to add new locations, services, and users without missing a beat.

Moreover, the 80F offers the following expansion options:

• Shared media WAN ports that can function as either RJ45 or SFP, giving you the freedom to choose the best fit for your network architecture

• Increased network robustness

• Future-proofing your infrastructure

• Support for your ambitions and ensuring that your network security drives your growth

UTM and Threat Management

The FortiGate 80F offers a comprehensive Unified Threat Protection bundle, including:

• Intrusion prevention system

• Antivirus

• Botnet IP/domain security

• Mobile malware protection

• Cloud sandboxing

• Application control

• Web and video filtering

• Antispam services

It also offers Zero Day Protection as part of its Unified Threat Management, safeguarding your network against threats not yet known or disclosed. Additionally, it provides cloud management features for seamless reporting and remote control of your network security.

Imagine your network as a castle in an epic saga, with the 80F as its guardian, its walls impenetrable and its sentinels ever-vigilant. This model doesn’t just secure your digital domain; it enhances your network’s resilience, ensuring that your business can withstand the evolving landscape of cyber threats. With the 80F leading the charge, your network security becomes a dynamic entity, ready to adapt to new challenges and shield your enterprise from unexpected threats in the digital world.

FortiGate 100F: Enterprise-Grade Features for Advanced Needs

Rising to the zenith of network security, the FortiGate 100F exemplifies enterprise-grade protection. It’s a behemoth designed to secure the most demanding networks, offering dual power supplies for unmatched redundancy and continuous operation.

When the stakes are highest, and network complexity is at its peak, the 100F rises to the challenge, providing high-speed performance and scalability that can accommodate the advanced needs of large-scale enterprises.

High-Speed Performance and Scalability

In the demanding realm of enterprise networking, speed and scalability aren’t optional - they’re essential. The FortiGate 100F delivers on both fronts, with the following features:

• Staggering throughput of up to 20 Gbps

• Built to facilitate the rapid, secure transmission of vast amounts of data across expansive networks

• Ability to manage up to 1.5 million concurrent sessions

It’s not just about moving data faster; it’s about designing a network that can grow and evolve with your enterprise. The 100F is the next generation, a titan of scalability, ready to serve the burgeoning needs of growing networks.

While speed and capacity are crucial, the 100F’s ability to adapt to network traffic variability is its true mark of excellence, especially for data centers that often experience significant east-west traffic. This adaptability ensures that your network is not just fast and vast but also intelligent, capable of responding to the unique demands of your enterprise with precision and efficiency.

Enhanced Networking Features

The FortiGate 100F offers a plethora of high-speed connectivity options, including:

• Eighteen 10/100/1000BASE-T Copper interfaces

• Two 10 GigE SFP+

• Four 1GigE SFP

• Four shared interfaces

These ports are not just ports; they are conduits to innovation, allowing your enterprise to deploy a custom network architecture that meets the most exacting requirements.

The FortiGate 100F features:

• Integrated switch fabric (ISF) technology that connects interfaces directly to the NP6XLite processor, ensuring efficient traffic offloading and peak performance

• Virtual hardware switches that offer the flexibility to create tailored network setups, including switching between different configurations

• 22 GE RJ45 ports, 4 SFP ports, and 2 10G SFP+ FortiLinks for networking flexibility

• The ability to ensure that your data flows freely and securely, irrespective of the complexity of your network.

Comprehensive Security Suite

The FortiGate 100F goes beyond securing your network by enhancing it with a suite of advanced security services. Some of the key features include:

• Application control

• Intrusion prevention

• Advanced malware protection

• Web security

• Secure cloud applications

• Spam reduction

• Attack surface security ratings

• IoT device detection

• Configuration robustness checking

• Data loss prevention

These features are designed to protect against data theft and breaches of confidentiality, ensuring that your enterprise’s sensitive information remains under lock and key.

This comprehensive security suite delivers advanced protection for both encrypted and non-encrypted traffic, shielding your site and network against malware, exploits, and malicious websites. The 100F’s capabilities are not just about defending against known threats on your site; they’re about anticipating the unknown, adapting to new attack vectors, and providing your enterprise with the peace of mind that only comes from knowing you’re protected by the best in the business.

Pricing and Value Comparison

When it comes to fortifying your digital estate, a prudent evaluation of cost against capabilities is paramount. FortiGate firewall models not only provide a spectrum of security solutions but also do so with pricing structures that take into account the diverse financial landscapes of businesses large and small. The FortiGate 100F, for instance, offers a range of licensing options, including the comprehensive FortiGuard bundles that amalgamate various security services and FortiCare support, creating a cost-effective solution tailored for the enterprise realm.

The decision to invest in a firewall transcends the initial price tag; it is a long-term commitment to the security and efficiency of your network. Despite the differences in upfront costs, the value these models provide in performance, scalability, and assurance is invaluable when compared. Hence, a comprehensive comparison of prices and features is recommended, not merely a suggestion—it’s a crucial measure to secure your business’s digital future.

Use Case Scenarios: Which Firewall Fits Your Business?

Navigating the labyrinth of network security options can be daunting, but understanding the use case scenarios for each FortiGate model can illuminate the path to the right choice for your business. The FortiGate 60F is the knight in shining armor for small businesses with up to 25 users, boasting a firewall throughput of 10 Gbps and versatility for internal segmentation, perimeter, and cloud environments. It’s the ideal candidate for those who need robust security without the complexity and cost associated with larger models.

Contrarily, the FortiGate 80F stands out as the go-to option for medium-sized businesses and organizations with multiple branch locations, prioritizing secure SD-WAN and serving as a robust security appliance. For small business environments with a larger user base, accommodating 50 to 100 users, the capabilities of the FortiGate 80F strike the perfect balance between sophistication and manageability, making it a suitable guardian for your expanding digital kingdom.

Making the Right Choice: Factors to Consider

Choosing a FortiGate firewall to protect your network involves more than just reviewing specifications. It calls for a strategic approach, taking into account scalability features that can adapt to your business’s changing needs and growth. Envisioning future network needs and potential expansion will guide you to a model that not only meets your current demands but also anticipates the future, thereby avoiding premature hardware obsolescence.

Furthermore, projecting peak throughput requirements with an additional buffer of at least 50% is essential to ensure the firewall can handle future traffic increases without faltering. The selection process should also include an evaluation of additional network infrastructure elements, such as VPNs, virtual domains, wireless access points, and switches, in order to ensure that the chosen FortiGate model harmonizes with the entirety of your network architecture.

Summary

As we draw the curtains on our exploration of Fortinet’s FortiGate firewalls, it’s clear that the 60F, 80F, and 100F are more than just gatekeepers; they are the cornerstones of a secure and efficient network. Each model offers a unique blend of performance, security, and value, tailored to empower businesses of varying sizes to thrive in the face of cyber adversities. From the compact yet mighty 60F to the mid-range dynamo 80F, and culminating in the enterprise fortress that is the 100F, Fortinet provides a suite of solutions designed to protect your digital assets with unwavering vigilance.

The journey through the FortiGate series products is one of discovery, where the paramount importance of network security in today’s digital landscape becomes ever more evident. With this guide, you are now equipped with the knowledge to make an informed decision, one that will fortify your business’s network security and ensure that your data remains safeguarded against the tides of cyber threats. It’s not just about choosing a firewall—it’s about choosing a future where your business can operate with confidence and security.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between the FortiGate 60F, 80F, and 100F models?

The main difference between the FortiGate 60F, 80F, and 100F models is their performance capabilities, scalability, their prices, and the size of the businesses they are designed to protect. The 60F is ideal for small businesses, the 80F for mid-sized businesses, and the 100F for large enterprises.

Can the FortiGate 60F handle the security needs of a growing small business?

Yes, the FortiGate 60F can effectively handle the security needs of a growing small business due to its ability to manage up to 700,000 concurrent sessions, robust VPN performance, and comprehensive security services as part of its Unified Threat Management platform.

Is the FortiGate 80F suitable for organizations with multiple branch locations?

Yes, the FortiGate 80F is suitable for organizations with multiple branch locations, especially medium-sized businesses, because of its secure SD-WAN capabilities that optimize network performance and security.

What makes the FortiGate 100F an enterprise-grade firewall?

The FortiGate 100F is an enterprise-grade firewall because it offers dual power supplies, high throughput capacity, a large concurrent session handling capability, and a comprehensive security suite for advanced protection (source: the web).

How should a business calculate its peak throughput requirements when selecting a FortiGate model?

When selecting a FortiGate model, a business should assess its current network traffic and growth projections, then calculate the peak throughput requirements with a buffer of at least 50% to accommodate future increases in traffic and prevent hardware obsolescence.