Take a quick glance at the Cisco Meraki MX firewall lineup, and it becomes clear they have quite a bit to choose from. Everybody likes having options when it comes to business decisions, but it can make it equally difficult to make the best choice.
While the manufacturer’s lineup caters to a variety of network security demands, the MX 100 and 105 Cisco Meraki firewall models are great for mid-range growth. An easy comparison you can start with is the number of users. The MX 100 is built to support 100-200 users, whereas the MX 105 is optimized for 500 to 750 users.
As you might expect, it can get a lot more technical than that, but it’s beneficial to stick to the data that matters most. This article will focus on Cisco Meraki MX 100 vs 105 to help guide you toward the right setup for your network security.
A Deeper Look Into Cisco Meraki MX 100 vs MX 105
Before you start with their differences, it’s important to know that both models are capable of small to mid-range security features. These firewall models aren’t built for already established enterprises. If anything, the MX 105 is one of the segue options that MX 100 users have down the road.
You can’t buy new hardware for the MX 100, but it still benefits from Cisco Meraki support until February 2027. Nevertheless, many businesses are likely to scale before then, making the MX 105 an easy choice for many.
While it isn’t the only Cisco Meraki firewall that would be a decent transition, the MX 105 hits a sweet spot with mid-range networks. It’s understandable that you’d base a lot of your decisions on current security needs, but it’s crucial to think about long-term solutions as well.
What is the Cisco Meraki MX 100?
The perfect option for growing small businesses, the MX 100 delivers streamlined performance through cloud management. Control access with Cisco Meraki logins and on-premise or remote oversight.
Here’s a brief look at what the specs have to say about the MX 100’s performance:
- Recommended Devices: 500
- Stateful Firewall Throughput: 750 Mbps
- Advanced Security Throughput: 650 Mbps
- Maximum VPN Throughput: 500 Mbps
- Max Concurrent VPN Tunnels: 250
This is more than suitable for a few hundred users. Not to mention the included features with security licenses and support with content filtering, advanced malware protection, and more.
What is the Cisco Meraki MX 105?
If you need something with a bit more network support, the MX 105 isn’t a bad option either. Considering it’s best for 500 to 750 users, this highlights why it would be great for growing, mid-sized companies.
Take a look at the MX 105’s capabilities below for better insight into what it’s capable of:
- Recommended Devices: 750
- Stateful Firewall Throughput: 5 Gbps
- Advanced Security Throughput: 2.5 Gbps
- Maximum VPN Throughput: 3 Gbps
- Max Concurrent VPN Tunnels: 1,000
Based on this information alone, you can see where the MX 105 is more of a workhorse. Data sheets can be convoluted when it comes to firewall tech, but looking at these comparisons are crucial for long-term outlooks on network security.
A Noticeable Difference Between Cisco Meraki MX 100 vs MX 105
There are plenty of businesses out there that are actively and happily using the MX 100. Just because they aren’t being manufactured doesn’t mean the tech doesn’t hold up. However, when it comes to comparing it to the 105, it’s easy to see where it fits in the market. In the table below, you get a direct performance comparison between the two Cisco Meraki firewall models.
Although both Cisco Meraki firewall models are diverse, comparing the two makes it much easier to determine which one aligns with your needs. At the same time, you should also consider other firewalls; the MX 105 acts as a smart upgrade from the MX 100.
The Bottom Line
Although the Cisco Meraki MX 100 is still very much in use, its end of life isn’t too far away. You already can’t find new ones being put on the market, so it doesn’t hurt to think about whether or not the MX 105 is next in line for you.
At the end of the day, if you’re merely looking at the specs, the Cisco Meraki MX 105 comes out on top. If this has created any questions for you or if you simply want to learn more, get in touch with us at Firewalls for additional guidance.