Their technical names may seem relatively similar, but the Sophos XGS 107 vs XG 106 definitely comes with a surprising list of differences. Whether you’re looking for your first business network firewall or a new upgrade, the XGS 107 is the successor here.
For those who don’t already know, it’s common for firewall models to go through lifecycles. At one time, the XG 106 was a leading choice until it was replaced by the XGS 107. Although this timeline for firewall tech is normal, it can be challenging to keep up with what’s new.
Discerning which Sophos firewall appliance is right for your business is entirely reliant on understanding the specs involved. For this article, you’ll get a clear-cut look at Sophos XGS 107 vs XG 106 and what separates them from each other.
Core Differences in Sophos XGS 107 vs XG 106
Taking a glance between the two, it’s clear the XGS 107 is a firewall Sophos built for scaling businesses. While the XG 106 was a great, cost-friendly option for smaller organizations, the XGS 107 can handle mid-sized companies with ease.
Considering the XG 106 end-of-life is just around the corner in Q1 of 2025, it only makes sense to look into the XGS 107. Although many people will eventually be forced to make a switch, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared before that final day of device support arrives. The sections below will offer transparency on both firewall models from one of the most popular network security providers on the market.
What is the Sophos XGS 107?
You’ll find that the Sophos XGS 107 is built to handle 11-25 users. However, the underlying specs can help your business scale in the future. Of course, this is on top of advanced network security features that are better suited for today’s cyber security threats.
Here are a few important specifications about the Sophos XGS 107 firewall:
- Firewall Throughput: 7,000 Mbps
- IPS Throughput: 1,355 Mbps
- Threat Protection Throughput: 330 Mbps
- Concurrent Connections: 1,600,000
- New Connections per Second: 44,400
This is more than enough for a small to mid-sized organization looking to optimize and streamline their network security. You can also take a look at a Sophos firewall wire diagram to get a thorough look at how you can integrate it with your current network setup. To truly understand what those numbers above mean, it helps to review the specs behind the XG 106.
What is the Sophos XG 106?
You can think of the XG 106 as a smaller version of the XGS 107. The end of life for this model might be coming soon, but it showcases why an upgrade in the Sophos firewall lineup has replaced it. It isn’t that the XG 106 wouldn’t be viable in today’s world, but it is outdated compared to the Sophos XGS series.
Here’s what the same specs look like in the Sophos XG 106 firewall:
- Firewall Throughput: 3,550 Mbps
- IPS Throughput: 490 Mbps
- Threat Protection Throughput: 150 Mbps
- Concurrent Connections: 1,570,000
- New Connections per Second: 14,700
With this surface-level information, it’s evident that the XGS 107 is just a bit more powerful. Taking this route for an upgrade would be smart for any small business that sees potential growth down the pipeline.
Sizing up Sophos XGS 107 vs XG 106
There’s no argument that firewall tech can seem pretty technical or convoluted to understand. One way you can avoid a lot of the back and forth and get lost in technical jargon is by directly comparing the specs without the fluff.
Both firewall models are bound to come with a few similarities, but it’s important to focus on what makes them so different. At the end of the day, the XGS 107 is a better choice for scalability and a long-term solution until its end-of-life date comes to light.
The Bottom Line
Among all of the network security providers you could choose from, Sophos is always a safe choice. That doesn’t mean you won’t get overwhelmed by their roster, as they have plenty of firewall solutions to choose from.
Between the Sophos XGS 107 vs XG 106, if you’re hoping to scale your network security alongside your business, the XGS 107 is the easy choice. The Firewalls team is always available if you need any guidance on finding a Sophos firewall appliance that’s perfect for your situation.