2017-08-07T07:20:00Z

Fortigate vs Barracuda

it_user715173 - PeerSpot reviewer
  • 3
  • 81
PeerSpot user
6

6 Answers

AB
Consultant
2017-11-01T19:55:05Z
Nov 1, 2017

I've deployed Fortigate devices in a number of different networks, including some with the following characteristics:

A - 100 users, 1 office, dual 1gbit links
B - 300 users, 6 offices, main office with dual 150Mbit links, other offices with one or two 50-100Mbit links
C - Churches (single or dual links, 50-100Mbit)
D - 150 users, 4 offices, 2 data center sites, dual 1gbit links at data centers, 25-50Mbit links at offices

Product comparison that may be of interest to you
MD
Real User
2017-11-01T17:09:19Z
Nov 1, 2017

Hi Andrew - as to the network size, what metric are you using for that?

AB
Consultant
2017-11-01T16:19:50Z
Nov 1, 2017

The new generation 3 ASICs provide minimal performance even with all features turned on. This can be found in the E models.

I've found the Fortigate product matrix to be very accurate in terms of the performance levels, so you have to review that to see what the impact is going to be for a specific set of features. I haven't use WatchGuard in nearly 10 years, so no comment from me on them.

https://www.fortinet.com/content/dam/fortinet/assets/data-sheets/Fortinet_Product_Matrix.pdf

MD
Real User
2017-11-01T15:54:38Z
Nov 1, 2017

I have used Fortigates for 6 years. Like you, similar experiences augmented by an additional support subscription due to my early learning curves. What I did not realize was the speed compromises with all the security apps active - if I have a Verizon FiOS true Gig subscription, my speed was tapered down to 100 Mbps or less. That is a 90% reduction. With 6 users multiplied by cell phones accessing the same WiFi, you can imagine the data speeds we were actually working with.

So, I picked WatchGuard, the T70 specifically. The data speeds with everything turned on remains near the subscription (1 Gig) and I have the same types of protections as the Fortigate. It is too early to report the reliability and other specs since this has changed only in the last week, but the specs tell me a lot that helped me to understand what I missed on my first go-around with Fortigate. Don't get me wrong, I had zero issues over the last 6 years to Fortigate's credit. However, that speed compromise doesn't work for me. Perhaps I missed something, but my support knows the product and there were no adjustments available, other than turning certain feature off. I couldn't afford that security risk, not these days.

AB
Consultant
2017-10-31T15:26:03Z
Oct 31, 2017

What size networks are you trying to protect?

Fortinet has a range of solutions (as does Barracuda), and to broadly compare one family vs another is generally not that productive. The Fortigate family shares the same interface and overall features across the entire family at competitive price points.

Policies can be made very granular and track on users as well as devices, and on applications and not just sites.

MT
Consultant
2017-08-12T22:49:57Z
Aug 12, 2017

Barracuda is a true Next Generation firewall that can better protect your network from zero day exploits. Barracuda comes with 2 AV engines out of the box. More importantly the Barracuda firewall comes with application, mail and web filtering capabilities. Web filtering is a great way to prevent unwanted programs from stealing sensitive data. It works by blocking malicious IP addresses hackers often use in ransomeware attacks.

Find out what your peers are saying about Barracuda CloudGen Firewall vs. Fortinet FortiGate and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
765,386 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Related Q&As

Firewalls experts

Adrian Cambronero - PeerSpot reviewer
Diana Alvarado - PeerSpot reviewer
Jonathan Ramos G. - PeerSpot reviewer
Prateek Agarwal - PeerSpot reviewer
Nagendra Nekkala - PeerSpot reviewer
Sachin Vinay - PeerSpot reviewer
Hugo Alexis Espinoza Naranjo - PeerSpot reviewer
Edwin Solano Salmeron - PeerSpot reviewer