When evaluating Cisco's enterprise-grade firewall solutions, the FPR4110-NGFW-K9 and FPR-4120-K9 represent two high-performance options with distinct capabilities. This in-depth comparison provides security professionals with critical insights to determine the optimal solution for their network protection needs.
Feature | FPR4110-NGFW-K9 | FPR-4120-K9 |
---|---|---|
Processor | 12-core 2.8 GHz | 16-core 3.2 GHz |
System Memory | 48 GB DDR4 | 64 GB DDR4 |
Storage | 720 GB SSD | 960 GB SSD |
Firewall Throughput | 18 Gbps | 25 Gbps |
IPS Throughput | 12 Gbps | 15 Gbps |
Threat Inspection | 6 Gbps | 8 Gbps |
Power Consumption | 200W (typical) | 280W (typical) |
Network Interfaces | 12x 1/10G SFP+ | 16x 1/10/25G SFP28 |
The FPR-4120-K9 delivers 20-30% greater performance metrics, positioning it as Cisco's premium security appliance compared to the high-performance FPR4110-NGFW-K9.
Connection Handling:
FPR-4120: 1.2 million concurrent sessions
FPR4110: 900,000 concurrent sessions
Encrypted Traffic:
25% faster TLS inspection
30% more SSL decryption sessions
Lower latency impact
FPR-4120 advantages:
Shared Capabilities:
Cisco Firepower Threat Defense
Next-gen IPS/IDS
Advanced Malware Protection
URL filtering
Cloud-delivered threat intelligence
FPR-4120 Exclusives:
Hardware crypto acceleration
AI-based anomaly detection
Advanced sandboxing options
Behavioral analytics engine
Chassis Architecture:
FPR-4120-K9:
2RU enterprise chassis
Hot-swappable components
Redundant power options
Front/rear port access
FPR4110-NGFW-K9:
1.5RU compact design
Fixed cooling system
Single power supply
Front-access ports
Environmental Specifications:
Operating temperature:
Both: 0 to 40°C
Physical dimensions:
FPR-4120: 2RU, 17.5" deep
FPR4110: 1.5RU, 16" deep
Weight:
FPR-4120: 28 lbs
FPR4110: 22 lbs
Administration & Management:
Both utilize:
Firepower Management Center
Cisco Defense Orchestrator
REST API/SDK access
Multi-device management
Operational Differences:
FPR-4120 Advantages:
Centralized policy management
Enhanced traffic analytics
Granular reporting tools
FPR4110 Strengths:
Faster initial deployment
Simplified configuration
Lower administrative overhead
Real-World Performance:
Policy impact:
FPR-4120: <0.5ms latency
FPR4110: 1-2ms latency
Log processing:
FPR-4120 handles 40% more events/sec
Acquisition Costs:
FPR4110-NGFW-K9: 32,000−38,000
FPR-4120-K9: 45,000−55,000
Operational Expenditures:
Power consumption difference: ~$100/year
Rack space requirements:
FPR-4120 needs 33% more space
Support contracts:
FPR-4120 requires higher-tier licensing
Five-Year TCO Considerations:
FPR-4120 justified for:
High-security environments
Large-scale deployments
Future growth needs
FPR4110 economical for:
Enterprise perimeter security
Data center edge
Performance-focused budgets
Power Specifications:
Input options:
Both support AC power
FPR-4120 offers DC option
Energy monitoring:
Both provide real-time metrics
Efficiency Comparison:
Performance per watt:
FPR-4120: 89 Mbps/W
FPR4110: 90 Mbps/W
Idle power draw:
FPR-4120: 150W
FPR4110: 120W
Third-Party Interoperability:
Both support:
SIEM integration
Threat intelligence feeds
Cloud security services
API-based automation
FPR-4120 Enhanced Integration:
Cisco SecureX platform
Advanced SOAR capabilities
Enterprise logging systems
SD-WAN security integration
Expansion Options:
FPR-4120 accommodates:
Security service modules
Additional storage
Hardware accelerators
FPR4110 limited to:
Software-based expansion
Fixed storage capacity
Current Software Features:
FPR-4120 receives:
Early access features
Premium threat intelligence
Advanced analytics
FPR4110 gets:
Core security features
Standard threat updates
Enhanced reporting
Security Updates:
Both receive:
Regular vulnerability patches
5+ years of maintenance
FPR-4120 qualifies for:
Extended threat intelligence
Critical security updates
Future Roadmap:
FPR-4120 positioned for:
Quantum-safe cryptography
AI-driven security
Cloud-scale protection
FPR4110 focuses on:
Performance enhancements
Cloud integration
Core security updates
Select FPR4110-NGFW-K9 When:
✔ Enterprise security needs
✔ Budget 30,000−40,000
✔ Data center edge deployments
✔ Balanced performance requirements
Choose FPR-4120-K9 When:
✔ Mission-critical security
✔ Maximum throughput needed
✔ Advanced threat prevention
✔ Can justify 30-40% premium
Key Selection Criteria:
Security requirements
Network throughput needs
Threat protection level
Available security budget
The FPR-4120-K9 serves as Cisco's premium security appliance, while the FPR4110-NGFW-K9 provides excellent protection for performance-conscious enterprises. These solutions share common security foundations but differ in their maximum capabilities and expansion options.
Implementation Tip: Analyze your encrypted traffic patterns before selection—the performance difference becomes most apparent when inspecting TLS/SSL traffic at scale. Consider Cisco's Security Assessment Services for proper sizing guidance when evaluating these platforms for critical deployments.