Cisco ASA 5508-X vs Firepower 1000 Series
The ASA 5508-X with FirePOWER Services (ASA5508-K9) is an end-of-life branch NGFW; the Firepower 1120 in the 1000 Series is its modern replacement with unified FTD software and far higher inspected throughput. Migrate to the Firepower 1000 Series.
Cisco ASA 5508-X with FirePOWER Services
1RU branch NGFW combining ASA firewall with a FirePOWER Services module, now end-of-life.
- 1 Gbps stateful firewall throughput
- 250 Mbps AVC and NGIPS throughput via FirePOWER module
- Eight Gigabit Ethernet ports in a 1RU chassis
- End-of-sale; replaced by the Firepower 1100/1000 Series
Cisco Firepower 1120 (1000 Series)
Current 1RU branch NGFW running unified Firepower Threat Defense or ASA software.
- 2.3 Gbps firewall throughput with AVC and IPS enabled together
- Unified FTD or ASA software, no separate FirePOWER module
- Eight Gigabit copper ports plus four SFP ports
- 1.2 Gbps IPsec VPN throughput and 200,000 sessions
Cisco ASA 5508-X with FirePOWER Services vs Cisco Firepower 1120 (1000 Series): spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco ASA 5508-X with FirePOWER Services | Cisco Firepower 1120 (1000 Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | 1RU rack | 1RU rack |
| Stateful firewall throughput | 1 Gbps | 2.3 Gbps (FW+AVC+IPS) |
| Throughput with AVC + NGIPS | 250 Mbps | 2.3 Gbps |
| IPsec VPN throughput | 175 Mbps | 1.2 Gbps |
| Maximum concurrent sessions | 100,000 | 200,000 |
| New connections per second | 10,000 | 15,000 |
| Maximum VPN peers | 100 | 150 |
| Integrated interfaces | 8x 10/100/1000 | 8x 10/100/1000 + 4 SFP |
| Security software model | ASA + separate FirePOWER module | Unified FTD or ASA image |
| Support status | End-of-sale | Current shipping platform |
Choose Cisco ASA 5508-X with FirePOWER Services if
Choose the 5508-X only to match an existing branch fleet during a phased migration; it should not be specified for new sites.
Choose Cisco Firepower 1120 (1000 Series) if
Choose the Firepower 1120 for new branch and small-campus edges that need unified FTD management, fiber uplinks and roughly an order of magnitude more inspected throughput.
Verdict
The ASA 5508-X is end-of-sale and its FirePOWER module caps AVC and NGIPS at 250 Mbps. The Firepower 1120 replaces it with unified FTD software, 2.3 Gbps of full inspection, SFP uplinks and much higher VPN throughput. Migrate to the Firepower 1000 Series; the 1120 is the natural successor to the 5508-X.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cisco ASA 5508-X end of life?
Yes. The ASA 5508-X with FirePOWER Services has reached end-of-sale and is moving toward end-of-support, so it should be replaced.
Which Firepower model replaces the ASA 5508-X?
The Firepower 1120 is the closest replacement, matching the 1RU branch role while adding unified FTD software, SFP uplinks and far higher inspected throughput.
How much faster is the Firepower 1120 with IPS on?
The 1120 sustains 2.3 Gbps with firewall, AVC and IPS enabled together, versus about 250 Mbps of AVC/NGIPS on the 5508-X FirePOWER module.
Does the Firepower 1120 still run ASA software?
Yes. The Firepower 1000 Series can run either Firepower Threat Defense or classic ASA software, so you can keep an ASA configuration style while gaining a current platform.
More ASA comparisons
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