Firewalla launches Gold Plus SFP security appliance

Firewalla has launched the Gold Plus SFP security appliance, adding 10 Gbps SFP+ connectivity to its hardware range.

The new model is aimed at advanced users, professional environments and small businesses building multi-gigabit networks. It offers up to 5 Gbps of firewall processing, with one 10 Gbps SFP+ port, two 10 Gbps RJ45 ports and two 2.5 Gbps RJ45 ports.

The launch comes as faster broadband services and broader adoption of 2.5 Gbps Ethernet push more users to mix copper and fibre connections across different generations of networking equipment. Firewalla is positioning the product as a way to secure those networks through a single appliance rather than a traditional business firewall setup.

Mixed connections

The SFP+ port is designed to give customers a choice of physical connection types, depending on the module or cable used. That means the appliance can connect through fibre, direct-attach cable or RJ45-based links, which may appeal to users whose internet service and local network hardware do not share the same interface.

For example, a customer could use the SFP+ port for a compatible fibre wide area network connection while reserving the 10G RJ45 ports for a switch or server. Although the SFP+ interface supports 10 Gbps connectivity, the appliance is built to process up to 5 Gbps of secured firewall traffic.

That places the product in a specific part of the market: customers that want 10G links in parts of their network but do not need a firewall that can inspect traffic at the full 10 Gbps line rate.

Jerry Chen, Co-founder of Firewalla, linked the launch to broader changes in small-scale network design.

"Multi-gigabit networking is no longer limited to large enterprises or data centers," said Jerry Chen, Co-founder of Firewalla. "We are seeing advanced home users and small businesses build networks around 2.5G and 10G equipment, fiber connections and high-speed local services. Gold Plus SFP gives them the connectivity flexibility to build those networks while keeping Firewalla's security and visibility at the center."

Single platform

The appliance runs on Firewalla's software platform, which combines security, monitoring and network management functions. Features include intrusion detection and prevention, threat filtering, VLAN support, network segmentation, multi-WAN configuration, VPN support, traffic monitoring and policy controls.

The aim is to reduce the need for separate tools for security, monitoring and networking tasks. For smaller organisations, that could widen access to functions more often associated with more complex business networking equipment, without requiring dedicated specialist staff to manage them.

The Gold Plus SFP includes 4 GB of RAM, and its ports can be configured for wide area network or local area network use. Management is available through the Firewalla mobile app and a web-based interface. The device also supports the company's VPN options, including WireGuard and OpenVPN.

Upgrade path

Firewalla also presented the appliance as a fit for networks that evolve gradually rather than through full replacement. Many buyers, particularly smaller businesses and professional users, add faster internet services, new switches, servers or fibre runs in stages, creating mixed environments that can be difficult to manage with entry-level consumer hardware.

"People don't always upgrade their entire network at once," said Chen. "They add a faster Internet connection, replace a switch, install a new server or run fiber to another part of the building. Gold Plus SFP is designed for that. It gives customers more ways to connect today while leaving room for the network they will build tomorrow."

The product is intended to sit at the centre of setups that may include 10G switches, network-attached storage systems, workstations, media servers and multi-gigabit internet connections. It is designed to give administrators visibility over connected devices, applications, traffic flows and potential threats.

Its software model also allows new functions to be added through updates over time, rather than tying the hardware only to the features available at launch.

Gold Plus SFP will sell for USD $759.