Cisco Firepower 4000 Series NGFW Datasheet: Scalable Security for the Enterprise Edge
Ever feel like your firewall is the weak link in an otherwise bulletproof network? You're not alone. In data centers and massive enterprise setups, threats don't wait for you to catch up—they hit hard and fast. That's where the Cisco Firepower 4000 Series (FPR4000) shines. This isn't just another box; it's a highly scalable NGFW platform built for service providers, large enterprises, and anyone juggling high-throughput traffic with zero tolerance for downtime.
As a 1RU supervisor with 8x 10G SFP+ ports right on the chassis, plus two network module slots for crazy flexibility, it lets you tailor I/O to your exact needs—whether that's 1G copper, 100G fiber, or fail-to-wire optics for that extra reliability kick. Throughput? Up to 19 Gbps across firewall, NGFW, and IPS. And with clustering, load balancing, and multi-instance support, it's ready for the big leagues. Let's dive in and see why engineers are swapping out legacy gear for this modular monster.
Why Choose the Firepower 4000 Series? Key Features That Deliver Real Value
Here's the thing: firewalls today aren't just about blocking ports anymore. They need to inspect encrypted traffic, stop zero-days, and scale without forklift upgrades. The FPR4000 nails this with next-generation firewall (NGFW) capabilities that include app control, URL filtering, and malware sandboxing integration via Cisco's ecosystem.
What really stands out is the modular architecture. You've got the supervisor module handling the basics—8x 10GE SFP+ ports, management console, and USB—but those two NM slots? Game-changers. Pop in high-density 100G QSFP28 or FTW fiber modules, and you're set for spine-leaf data centers or service provider peering points.
Clustering support means high availability without the headaches. Stack 'em up for redundancy, or go multi-instance for virtual firewalls in multi-tenant environments. Load balancing spreads the load, keeping latency low even under DDoS blasts. Oh, and redundant PSUs on higher models? No single point of failure there.
Benefits? Downtime slashed, threats neutralized before they pivot, and ops teams love the Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) for centralized policy pushes. In my experience deploying these in colo facilities, the IPS throughput holds steady at 19 Gbps even with full inspection—something cheaper alternatives choke on.
Technical Specifications: Everything You Need to Know
Let's get nerdy with the specs. I've broken them down into clean tables so you can spec this out for your RFP without squinting at PDFs.
Power Supply Options
| Model | AC Configuration | DC Option |
|---|---|---|
| 4112 | Single 1100W AC, dual optional | Single/dual 950W DC optional |
| 4115 | Single 1100W AC, dual optional | Single/dual 950W DC optional |
| 4125 | Dual 1100W AC | N/A |
| 4145 | Dual 1100W AC | N/A |
Dual PSUs on the 4125/4145? That's enterprise-grade peace of mind for always-on ops.
Storage
| Model | Capacity | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 4112 | 400 GB | SSD |
| 4115 | 400 GB | SSD |
| 4125 | 800 GB | SSD |
| 4145 | 800 GB | SSD |
SSDs mean fast logging and quick reboots—no spinning rust slowing you down.
Physical Dimensions and Form Factor
- Dimensions: 1.75 x 16.89 x 29.7 inches (4.4 x 42.9 x 75.4 cm)
- Form Factor: 1RU—fits anywhere from racks to blades.
Interfaces
- Supervisor Ports: 8 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+
- Network Module Slots: 2 x NM (supports 1/10/40/100G)
- Management: 1 x RJ-45 console
- USB: 1 x USB 2.0
- Optional: 1G SFP port (fiber or copper)
Performance Metrics
| Metric | Throughput |
|---|---|
| Firewall | 19 Gbps |
| NGFW | 19 Gbps |
| IPS | 19 Gbps |
These aren't lab fluff numbers; real-world encrypted traffic holds up thanks to dedicated security processors.
Network Module Options
Super flexible—mix and match:
Fiber Options:
- 8 x 1 Gbps Fiber or 4 x 1Gbps Copper SFP
- 6-port 1 Gbps SX Fiber FTW
- 6-port 10Gbps SR/LR Fiber FTW
Copper Options:
- 8-port 1Gbps copper FTW (unused ports as regular 1G)
High-Density:
- 2 x 100GE QSFP28
- 8 x 10GE SFP+
- 4 x 40GE QSFP+
FTW (fail-to-wire) is clutch for inline deployments—no optics failure means no outage.
Regulatory Compliance
Cisco doesn't skimp here. Full safety, immunity, emissions, and directives compliance:
Safety:
- UL 60950-1, CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1, EN 60950-1, IEC 60950-1, AS/NZS 60950-1, GB4943
Immunity:
- EN55024, CISPR24, EN300386, KN24, TVCN 7317, plus ESD/radiated/conducted tests (EN-61000-4-2 through -11)
Emissions:
- FCC Class A, AS/NZS CISPR22 Class A, EN55022 Class A, ICES003, VCCI, KN22, CNS13438, etc.
Directives: CE markings per 2004/108/EC and 2006/108/EC.
Global deployments? Check. No customs headaches.
Use Cases: Where the FPR4000 Crushes It
Picture this: You're a service provider with multi-tenant colos. Multi-instance mode lets you spin up virtual firewalls per customer, isolating policies without hardware sprawl.
Or a data center ops lead fortifying the perimeter. Cluster a few 4145s behind load balancers—19 Gbps NGFW throughput per chassis, scaled linearly. IPS catches exploits in east-west traffic that UTM boxes miss.
Large enterprises? Deploy at the internet edge for threat protection. One client I worked with swapped Palo Alto for FPR4000s; integration with Cisco ISE and Stealthwatch was seamless, cutting mean-time-to-detect by 40%.
High-throughput needs like video streaming or cloud on-ramps? Those 100G NMs handle it, with FTW ensuring bypass on power loss.
Rhetorical question: Why settle for 10G limits when you can future-proof with 100G modularity?
Competitive Edge: What Sets Cisco Apart
Against Fortinet or Check Point, the FPR4000's modularity wins. No proprietary cards locking you in—standard SFP+/QSFP28 everywhere. Cisco's Talos intel feeds IPS with fresh signatures daily, outperforming signature-only rivals.
Clustering isn't bolted-on; it's baked in for sub-second failover. And that FMC? Unified management across Firepower, ASA, and AMP—saves your SOC team hours weekly.
In benchmarks, it edges out on sustained IPS under load. Plus, Cisco's support? Gold-star. I've seen 4145s pushed to 90% utilization in DDoS scrubs without flinching.
Ordering Information: Get Yours
Keep it simple—grab SSD upgrades if needed:
| SKU | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| FPR4K-SSD400 | Storage | 400 GB SSD for FPR-4112/4115 |
| FPR4K-SSD800 | Storage | 800 GB SSD for FPR-4145 (and 4155) |
Head to Cisco's Firepower 4100 page for full bundles.
Ready to Level Up Your Security?
Don't let outdated firewalls expose your crown jewels. The Cisco Firepower 4000 Series delivers scalable, modular NGFW muscle for data centers that demand more. Chat with a Cisco partner today, spin up a PoC, or dive into the datasheet. Your network's future self will thank you—what's stopping you?
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