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Firebox Modularity

Adapting to Changing Network Conditions

Network environments continue to evolve. Fiber, once restricted to enterprise data centers, is now widely available. Even small businesses have access to fiber connectivity options from their Internet service providers and regularly deploy switch equipment that provides 1 Gb or 10 Gb fiber. While firewalls provide the benefit of an all-in-one appliance with advanced security controls, for broad effective protection of your entire network they can limit network topologies – especially as the network evolves. Expandable network modules offer room to grow for the future. If the need for more network ports into the firewall grows, your business doesn’t have to do a costly rip-and-replace. Network admins can simply add a new module to the existing appliance to increase port density. WatchGuard Firebox M Series and Firebox T85 appliances allow you to add network modules to define a configuration that meet the needs of almost any network configuration.

Three Red WatchGuard Fireboxes stacked on top of each other with a red arrow going up to the right from the middle

How Does Modularity Work?

WatchGuard Firebox appliances, like all firewalls, are limited by the line speed of available network ports on the appliance. Adding more ports with network modules unlocks the performance capacity of the appliance, allowing it to achieve its maximum potential firewall throughput, while giving you the flexibility to adapt the appliance to the needs of your network.

WatchGuard Cloud screens showing Firebox Management

Installing Network Modules

Installing a network module into your Firebox is easy. The Firebox automatically detects installed interface modules when it is powered on. You must install an interface module before you can configure the interfaces. If your Firebox is managed in WatchGuard Cloud, it already has placeholders for these interfaces to be configured.


Network Modules Available for WatchGuard Firebox

WatchGuard offers module options across our range of Firebox appliances, including fiber and LTE options. For more information on module compatibility, download our tech brief.

2nd Generation

Module Firebox M4800/M5800
8 Port 1Gb Copper ✓
8 Port SFP Fiber ✓
4 Port 10 Gb SFP+ Fiber ✓
2 Port 40 GB QSFP+ Fiber ✓
WatchGuard Fireboxes with a zoom in of a swappable module in a circle at top right

3rd Generation

Module Firebox M290/M390 Firebox M590/M690 Firebox T85
8 Port 1Gb Copper ✓ ✓
4 Port 1Gb Copper ✓ ✓
4 Port SFP Fiber ✓ ✓
2 Port SFP+ Fiber ✓ ✓
4 port multispeed POE+ ✓* ✓
1 Port 10 GB SFP+ Fiber ✓
LTE Interface ✓

*PoE+ not supported on M290/390.

Visit the WatchGuard Appliance Sizing Tool to find your perfect fit >

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