Fortinet FortiGate 500D and Cisco Meraki MX64

Firewalls are network security systems that are either software or hardware based which use rules to regulate incoming and outgoing network traffic. In essence, firewalls act as barriers separating untrusted network from the trusted network. This entails using a positive control model that restricts untrusted network from your traffic. What this means is that there is a firewall policy which defines the traffic that is allowed onto the network and denies all other traffic. These firewalls prevent scum and viruses from accessing your network. It is however very challenging to pick out the right firewall. You have to select one that will provide adequate security to your network. The type of firewall you select will be dependent on the use intended. This article helps to give a comparison between Fortinet FortiGate 500D and Cisco Meraki MX64 firewalls.
Fortigate 500D
The Fortigate 500D provides next-generation firewall capabilities for large and midsized enterprises. The system has the flexibility of being deployed at an enterprise branch or campus. It is designed to protect your network against cyber threats by powering the performance of the security processor. In addition, it identifies thousands of application and inspects them before allowing them into the network traffic. By the help of dynamic analysis, the Fortigate 500d detects unknown attacks and provides automated solutions to mitigate the attacks. The performance of the system uses purpose-built security processor (SPU) technology. It also delivers protection for SSL encrypted traffic.
The security fabric of the system is an automatically built Network Topology visualisation. This enables the system to identify IoT devices and ensure maximum visibility into Fortinet and Fabric-ready partner products. When it comes to networking Fortigate 500D provides, a great high-performance IPsec VPN capabilities, switching, routing and wireless controller for consolidating networking and still catering for security functionality. In addition, it facilitates flexible deployment including Secure SD-WAN.
Cisco Meraki MX64
The Cisco Meraki MX64 is an integrated router, internet gateway, next-generation firewall, and traffic shaper that managed over the web. The Cisco Meraki offers you a lot of features, while still maintaining simplicity in deployment and management. It has an intuitive web-based administration which eliminates the need for dedicated staff and specialised training. Moreover, the cloud-based centralised control allows for automatic firewall upgrades and multi-site networks. An integrated Sourcefire engine is used to support leading intrusion (IPS). IPS is conducted through rulesets which defines security policies to achieve high levels of protection.
The Sourcefire engine refreshes rulesets every day to make sure that protection against the latest vulnerabilities such as rootkits, exploits and viruses. Hardware configuration caters for a firewall throughput of 200 Mbps which supports up to 50 users. Cisco Meraki has a cloud-based centralised management over the web which classifies applications, devices and users through self-provisioning deployments. Networking and security are improved by utilising auto VPN self-configuring site-to-site VPN. With the MX64 you get active directory integration, client VPN (IPsec) and 3G/4G failover via USB modem.
Conclusion
The Fortigate 500D is flexible enough to handle almost everything we want it to do. The configuration is easy to use and understand. Also, it allows firewall rules to be customised by programming them in a way that makes them readable for example through naming. On the other hand, the MX64 AutoVPN features allow you a straightforward site to site tunnels that have no configuration. The system is self-managed thus it helps you to save a lot of time and effort. In comparison, the Fortigate 500D should allow backups to mitigate between different models. Both the two firewalls are incredibly reliable. However, the MX64 web operation beats the Fortigate 500D automation technology making it a little better than the 500D.