Fortinet FG-3501F FortiGate 3501F High End Data Center NGFW Firewall With Built-in SSD

Comprehensive Product Overview

The FortiGate 3501F (FG-3501F) belongs to Fortinet’s flagship 3500F series, purpose-built to address the most demanding security and performance requirements of modern data centers and large-scale enterprise networks. As a 2U rack-mountable security appliance, it combines ASIC-accelerated performance, high-density 100G/25G interfaces, and unified security capabilities into a single platform, eliminating the need for multiple standalone security devices.

Built on Fortinet’s Security-Driven Networking architecture, the FG-3501F deeply integrates security into every network layer, enabling consistent policy enforcement across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. Its NP7 SPU offloads all security and traffic processing, delivering wire-speed performance even with full threat inspection enabled, while the CP9 processor accelerates SSL/TLS 1.3 decryption, IPsec VPN, and cryptographic operations—critical for handling today’s encrypted traffic growth.

The FG-3501F supports FortiOS, Fortinet’s unified operating system, which provides a single pane of glass for management, automation, and orchestration across the entire Fortinet Security Fabric. This integration enables coordinated threat detection, automated response, and centralized visibility, reducing operational complexity and enhancing security posture for large organizations.

Key Features & Business Benefits

1. NP7 SPU + CP9 Crypto Acceleration (Core Advantage)

• Feature: Custom NP7 security processor and CP9 crypto processor; hardware-offloaded firewall, IPS, NGFW, SSL inspection, and VPN.
• Business Benefit: Delivers 595 Gbps firewall throughput and 2.98 μs latency (64-byte UDP), ensuring wire-speed performance even under full security inspection; supports 100G/25G high-speed traffic without bottlenecks.

2. High-Density 100G/25G Interface Design

• Feature: 6x 100G QSFP28 (split into 4x25G each), 32x 25G SFP28, 2x 10G RJ45 management ports; flexible port configuration for data center spine-leaf, WAN, and server segmentation.
• Business Benefit: Reduces hardware sprawl and TCO by consolidating high-speed connectivity and security; supports scalable growth for 400G/100G data center upgrades.

3. Native Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

• Feature: Industry’s first NGFW with integrated ZTNA; verifies user/device identity before application access; granular policy controls for hybrid workforce.
• Business Benefit: Secures remote/hybrid work models; eliminates implicit trust in network perimeters; reduces breach risks from unauthorized access.

4. AI-Powered FortiGuard Threat Intelligence

• Feature: Real-time AI/ML-driven threat feeds from FortiGuard Labs; protects against ransomware, zero-days, malware, and encrypted threats; supports TLS 1.3 inspection.
• Business Benefit: Proactively blocks advanced attacks; reduces mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to respond (MTTR); ensures compliance with data protection regulations.

5. Fortinet Security Fabric Integration

• Feature: Seamless integration with FortiGate, FortiSwitch, FortiAP, FortiEDR, and FortiCloud; centralized management via FortiOS; automated threat correlation and response.
• Business Benefit: Unifies security across network, endpoint, cloud, and IoT; reduces operational complexity; enhances threat visibility and coordination.

6. High Scalability & Reliability

• Feature: 1.4–3.48 billion concurrent TCP sessions; 1–5 million new sessions/sec; dual redundant AC PSUs; 4TB onboard SSD; 2U rack-mountable.
• Business Benefit: Supports large-scale enterprise and service provider traffic; ensures 99.999% uptime; simplifies deployment and maintenance.

Technical Specifications

Performance Metrics

• Firewall Throughput (IPv4, 1518-byte UDP): 595 Gbps
• NGFW Throughput (Application Control + IPS): 65 Gbps
• IPS Throughput: 72 Gbps
• Threat Protection Throughput (AV + IPS + Application Control): 63 Gbps
• IPsec VPN Throughput (512-byte): 165 Gbps
• SSL-VPN Throughput: 16 Gbps
• Firewall Latency (64-byte UDP): 2.98 μs
• Concurrent TCP Sessions: 140 Million (Base) / 348 Million (Max)
• New TCP Sessions/Second: 1 Million (Base) / 5 Million (Max)
• Firewall Policies: 200,000

Interfaces

• Management Ports: 2x 10G/5G/2.5G/1G/100M BASE-T RJ45 (MGMT1/MGMT2)
• High-Speed Data Ports:
  • 6x 100/40 GigE QSFP28 (Ports 31–36; each splits into 4x25G SFP28)
  • 32x 25/10/1 GigE SFP28/SFP+/SFP (Ports 1–30 + HA1/HA2)
• HA Ports: 2x 25G SFP28/10G SFP+ (HA1/HA2)

Hardware

• Form Factor: 2U Rack-Mountable
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 3.5” x 17.4” x 21.9” (88.9mm x 442mm x 556mm)
• Weight: 45.30 lb (20.55 kg)
• Storage: 4TB SSD (onboard)
• Power Supply: Dual Redundant AC PSUs (1+1 redundancy)
• Airflow: Front-to-Back (hot-aisle/cold-aisle compatible)
• Acceleration: NP7 SPU (Security), CP9 (Crypto/SSL)

Software & Compliance

• Operating System: FortiOS 7.0+
• Security Features: Firewall, IPS, AV, Anti-Malware, Ransomware Protection, ZTNA, SD-WAN, SSL Inspection, IPsec/SSL VPN
• Certifications: ICSA Labs (Firewall, IPsec, IPS, AV, SSL-VPN), USGv6/IPv6, FCC Part 15 Class A, CE, UL/cUL

Ideal Application Scenarios

1. Large Enterprise Data Center Core: Delivers 100G/25G high-speed security for spine-leaf architectures; consolidates firewall, IPS, and VPN into a single platform.
2. Hybrid Cloud Gateway: Secures data center-to-cloud traffic; enforces consistent policies across AWS, Azure, and on-premises environments; supports cloud on-ramps with full compliance.
3. Service Provider Edge & Peering Points: Handles high-volume subscriber traffic; provides granular security and QoS controls; supports multi-tenant segmentation via VDOMs.
4. Enterprise WAN & SD-WAN Hub: Aggregates 100G/25G WAN links; integrates SD-WAN with advanced security; secures branch-to-data-center and remote workforce traffic.
5. Internal Network Segmentation: Creates secure microsegments for servers, databases, and critical assets; prevents lateral movement of threats; complies with zero-trust principles.

Supported Accessories & Modules

Transceiver Modules (Compatible)

• 100G QSFP28: SR4, LR4, ER4, ZR4
• 40G QSFP+: SR4, LR4
• 25G SFP28: SR, LR, ER, DAC (Direct Attach Copper)
• 10G SFP+: SR, LR, ER, ZR, DAC
• 1G SFP: SX, LX, EX, ZX

Accessories

• Redundant AC Power Supply (Replacement)
• 2U Rack Mount Kit (Included)
• Front-to-Back Airflow Fan Tray (Replacement)
• FortiCare Premium Support (1/3/5 Years)
• FortiGuard Unified Threat Protection (UTP) Subscription
• FortiCloud Management & Log Retention Subscription

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the main difference between FG-3500F and FG-3501F?

A: The FG-3501F is the high-performance variant of the 3500F series, offering higher session capacity (up to 3.48 billion concurrent TCP sessions) and optimized NP7 SPU firmware for maximum throughput in large-scale data center environments.

Q2: Can the FG-3501F decrypt TLS 1.3 traffic?

A: Yes. The FG-3501F’s CP9 crypto processor natively supports TLS 1.3 decryption and inspection, enabling it to detect and block advanced threats hidden in encrypted traffic—critical for modern security requirements.

Q3: Does the FG-3501F support zero-trust network access (ZTNA)?

A: Absolutely. The FG-3501F is the industry’s first NGFW with native ZTNA integration, providing identity-based access control for hybrid workforces and securing applications deployed anywhere (data center, cloud, or edge).

Q4: What is the maximum throughput for IPsec VPN on the FG-3501F?

A: The FG-3501F delivers 165 Gbps of IPsec VPN throughput (512-byte packets) via CP9 crypto acceleration, supporting up to 40,000 gateway-to-gateway VPN tunnels and 200,000 client-to-gateway tunnels.

Q5: Is the FG-3501F compatible with the Fortinet Security Fabric?

A: Yes. The FG-3501F seamlessly integrates with the Fortinet Security Fabric, enabling centralized management, automated threat correlation, and coordinated response across FortiGate, FortiSwitch, FortiAP, FortiEDR, and FortiCloud.