The Palo Alto Networks PA-415 is part of the PA-400 Series Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) designed for small to midsize businesses, distributed enterprise branch offices, and retail locations. As an ML-powered firewall, the PA-415 offers cutting-edge security features like threat prevention, URL filtering, data loss prevention (DLP), and application control, ensuring high-performance protection against modern cyber threats.
The PA-415 is engineered to safeguard all types of network environments, including Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and it reduces configuration errors by providing automatic policy recommendations.
Key Features
- ML-Powered Threat Prevention: Detects and stops both known and unknown threats through signature-based detection, behavioral analysis, and WildFire® sandboxing.
- URL Filtering: Blocks malicious websites and manages access to specific online content like social media and streaming platforms.
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Protects sensitive data from being stolen or leaked outside the network.
- High Availability (HA): Supports active/passive and active/active HA configurations to ensure uptime.
- Power Over Ethernet (PoE): Provides PoE up to 60 watts per port, supporting IoT devices and simplifying installations.
- Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP): Simplifies large-scale deployments with automated configuration, reducing manual intervention.
- Virtual Systems: Supports up to 100 virtual systems for traffic segmentation, enhancing security within different parts of the organization.
- Fanless Design: The PA-415 operates silently, making it suitable for branch offices, retail spaces, and home offices.
Performance Specifications
- Firewall Throughput (HTTP): 1.65 Gbps
- Threat Prevention Throughput (HTTP): 0.6 Gbps
- VPN Throughput (IPSec): 0.92 Gbps
- Maximum Sessions: 64,000
- New Sessions per Second: 12,000
- VLAN Tags per Device: 4094
- VLAN Tags per Interface: 4094
Connectivity
- Interfaces:
- 1 x 1000Base-T (management) – RJ-45/SFP
- 4 x 1000Base-T – RJ-45
- 4 x 1000Base-T PoE – RJ-45
- 2 x USB
- 1 x Micro-USB console
- 1 x RJ-45 console
- Protocols Supported:
- Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
- Network Protocols: IPv6, RIP, BGP, OSPF, PIM, PPPoE
- Transport Protocols: IGMPv2, IGMPv3
- Routing Protocols: Policy-Based Routing (PBR), OSPFv2, OSPFv3
Security Standards & Certifications
- Encryption Algorithms:
- MD5, SSL, SHA-1, AES (128-bit, 192-bit, 256-bit)
- IKEv1, IKEv2, 3DES
- Compliance Standards:
- FCC Class B, VCCI Class B, cTUVus, CB
Physical Characteristics
- Dimensions: 9 inches (Width) x 13 inches (Depth) x 1.7 inches (Height)
- Weight: 7.85 lbs
- Power Supply: AC 100-240V (50/60 Hz), external power adapter
- Operating Temperature Range: 32°F to 104°F
Use Cases
Industry Applications:
- Retail:
- Protect customer data and payment transactions from cyber threats.
- Secure IoT devices like smart sensors and inventory management systems.
- Centralized visibility across multiple store locations using Zero Touch Provisioning and Panorama management.
- Healthcare:
- Safeguard patient records and sensitive health data with Data Loss Prevention (DLP).
- Secure IoT devices like medical sensors and health monitors with threat detection capabilities.
- Meet HIPAA compliance with stringent security policies and encrypted communications.
- Education:
- Manage student and staff internet access using URL filtering.
- Protect sensitive student records and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
- Segregate networks for different departments using virtual systems to enhance security.
- Midsize Enterprises:
- Provide robust security for branch offices and remote workers through VPN support.
- Implement granular control over application access and internet usage with application visibility and control.
- Enable secure and scalable SD-WAN functionality for improved branch connectivity.
Application Scenarios:
- Remote Workforce: The PA-415 ensures secure remote access through IPsec VPNs, offering encrypted and reliable connections for employees working from home or satellite offices.
- IoT Environments: With PoE support and advanced threat prevention, the PA-415 can seamlessly protect IoT deployments in smart offices, retail locations, and industrial settings.
- Secure Network Segmentation: Virtual systems allow businesses to create isolated environments within the same firewall to protect different departments or business units, enabling strict control over data and resource access.
Deployment & Integration
- Deployment Types:
- Branch Offices, Distributed Retail, Midsize Enterprises
- Data Centers and Campuses
- Integration Capabilities: The PA-415 integrates with existing security frameworks such as SIEM and can be managed centrally via Panorama. It also supports SD-WAN for improved connectivity and application performance across branch offices.
- Panorama Management: Provides centralized visibility and control over multiple firewall deployments, simplifying policy updates and compliance monitoring.
Advanced Security Capabilities
- Threat Intelligence: Leverages Palo Alto Networks’ WildFire cloud-based threat intelligence service to automatically detect and block unknown malware, zero-day exploits, and malicious URLs.
- Security Posture Improvement: The PA-415 enhances the overall security posture by combining machine learning, behavioral analytics, and signature-based threat detection to identify potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
- Automated Policy Recommendations: Minimizes human error by offering AI-driven policy recommendations based on network activity patterns, improving operational efficiency.
Power Efficiency & Environmental Considerations
The PA-415 is a compact, energy-efficient appliance designed for environments where space and power consumption are critical. With a 91W PoE power budget, it supports the powering of IoT devices while keeping the overall energy footprint low. Its fanless design ensures silent operation, making it ideal for quiet workspaces like retail counters or small offices.
Use Case Benefits
- Retail & Distributed Enterprises: The PA-415 offers flexible deployment options and centralized management, making it ideal for securing multiple branch locations with minimal manual configuration.
- Healthcare & Education: With advanced threat prevention, encrypted VPN connections, and data loss prevention, the PA-415 ensures compliance with data privacy regulations, including HIPAA and FERPA.
- Midsize Businesses: Businesses benefit from the PA-415’s robust firewall performance, network visibility, and ability to segment traffic across departments for enhanced data security and compliance.
Documentation
- Download the Palo Alto Networks Firewall Overview Datasheet (PDF)
- Download the Palo Alto Networks PA-400 Series Specification Datasheet (PDF)
Conclusion
The Palo Alto Networks PA-415 is an advanced, ML-powered firewall designed to secure midsize enterprises, branch offices, and retail locations. With high-performance throughput, threat prevention, and centralized management capabilities, it is a comprehensive solution for organizations seeking enhanced security and simplified management. This next-generation firewall offers businesses an all-in-one solution for securing their networks, enabling secure IoT deployments, and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.