
The Fortigate 50e is a powerful Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution designed for small networks. It offers a high level of security and performance in a compact form factor.
This device is capable of handling up to 2 Gbps of traffic, making it suitable for networks with moderate to high traffic demands. It also has a maximum of 1,000 concurrent VPN users, which is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses.
One of the key benefits of the Fortigate 50e is its ability to provide comprehensive security features, including firewall, antivirus, and intrusion prevention. This makes it an excellent choice for protecting small networks from various types of threats.
In terms of hardware, the Fortigate 50e has a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor and 2 GB of RAM, which provides a solid foundation for its high-performance capabilities.
Key Features
The FortiGate 50E is a powerful security appliance that offers a range of advanced features to protect your network. It has a high-performance UTM (Unified Threat Management) system that includes a firewall, VPN, IPS, application control, web filtering, antivirus, antispam, DLP, and more.
One of the standout features of the FortiGate 50E is its ability to segment networks using VDOMs (Virtual Domains). This allows you to create separate networks for guests, employees, or sensitive data like cardholder information, while still meeting compliance standards like PCI and HIPAA.
The FortiGate 50E also features advanced threat protection, including sandboxing and anti-bot protection, to detect and prevent even the most sophisticated threats. Additionally, it offers feature-select options for simplifying configurations and deployments, and contextual visibility for enhanced reporting and management.
The device has 32 GB of robust internal storage, which enables integrated WAN optimization and web caching to improve user productivity when accessing remote applications and documents securely.
Here are some key performance metrics for the FortiGate 50E:
The FortiGate 50E also comes with a range of basic functionality, including enterprise protection, unified threat protection, advanced threat protection, and more. Some of the specific features include:
- Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- Antivirus
- Antispam
- Inline CASB Database + DLP
- SD-WAN Services
- Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
- Web & Video Filter
- AI-based Inline Malware Prevention
- Application Control
- Mobile Security
- FortiConverter Service
- FortiCare Support
- FortiSandbox Cloud
- Attack Surface Security
FortiGuard Security Services
FortiGuard Security Services offer advanced protections that work at Application Layer 7, which is a significant upgrade from the standard network protection up to Layer 4.
These protections include App Control, Intrusion Prevention (IPS), Malware Protection, Antivirus, and Web Filtering, all of which are AI-driven security intelligence services.
The FortiGuard subscription license is optional, but it provides a range of benefits, including firmware updates, patches, and hardware support through FortiCare support service.
The subscription license comes in various flavours and time-length, including 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year options.
There are also four bundle categories of subscriptions: 360 Protection, Enterprise Protection, UTM, and Threat Protection, each offering different levels of protection features.
If you don't buy a subscription license, you can still use the Fortigate box as a pure firewall device for network protection up to Layer 4.
Product Information
The FortiGate 50E is an entry-level solution that offers an optimal price/performance ratio, making it perfect for small businesses and branch offices.
It provides network security, connectivity, and performance at an attractive entry-level price, making it ideal for small businesses, remote offices, small branch offices, and small retail outlets.
This device does not offer reverse proxy functionality, so you'll need to consider other options if you require this feature.
With the Fortinet Support (FortiCare) included in every license bundle, you can contact the manufacturer directly in case of problems or questions.
You'll also need a support license to obtain and download firmware updates.
Comparison and End-of-Life
The FortiGate 50E Firewall is no longer supported by Fortinet, marking the end of its life cycle. This means that users will not receive any further software or firmware updates.
The product is only available as hardware, with no internal storage or integrated AP capabilities. You can purchase the FortiGate 50E for a gross price of €656.75, with the product number FG-50E.
Here are the key specs you need to know:
Comparison Table

Let's take a look at a comparison table that highlights the key specs of the hardware firewall models we'll be discussing. This table will give you a quick overview of the most important features to consider when selecting a model.
The table includes specs such as Firewall Throughput, IPS Throughput, NGFW Throughput, and Threat Protection Throughput. These measurements are taken with different protections enabled, such as IPS, Application Control, and Malware Protection.
Here's a breakdown of what each of these measurements represents:
- Firewall Throughput = Raw firewall throughput (without any extra protections).
- IPS Throughput = Measured when IPS protection is enabled.
- NGFW Throughput = Measured when IPS and Application Control are enabled.
- Threat Protection Throughput = Measured when All protections are enabled. (Firewall, IPS, Application Control, Malware Protection).
This comparison table will help you quickly identify the key differences between the models and make an informed decision.
30E vs
The 30E is ideal for a smallish network with around 10-20 users and a 50 Mbps WAN circuit on a budget.
It's also a great choice for home networks, providing robust protection and performance.
If you need more power, the 50E is a better option for small business networks with 15-25 users and 50-70 Mbps link.
The 51E is not worth buying just for log storage, as a free external syslog server can do the job.
Firewall End-of-Life Info
The Fortinet FortiGate 50E Firewall is a popular choice for small businesses and branch offices due to its affordable entry-level solution and high connectivity. It offers network security, connectivity, and performance at an attractive price.
One key feature of the FortiGate 50E is its free use of IPSec VPN, which allows for secure remote access. This is made possible by the free FortiClient VPN, which can be used as a VPN client.
The FortiGate 50E also supports multi-tenant operation through its VDOM functionality, enabling businesses to operate separate firewalls for different departments.
Here are the key specifications of the FortiGate 50E:
The FortiGate 50E does not offer reverse proxy functionality, so businesses should consider this when evaluating its suitability for their needs.
Management and Administration
The Fortinet Security Fabric offers unified solutions for managing and administering complex systems.
Thanks to the FortiSwitch, you can deploy a centrally managed and secure network in no time.
Unified logging and centralized management are crucial for increasingly complex networks, distributed across multiple sites. With the FortiAnalyzer, you can correlate log files from various Fortinet solutions and gain a unified picture of your network.
You can manage your Fortinet solutions centrally with the FortiManager, allowing you to roll out firmware updates, for example.
FortiClient can be seen as a full-fledged endpoint protection solution in its paid version, providing secured VPN connections and telemetry data that can be transmitted to the FortiGate firewall.
The FortiEDR solution is available as a further development, allowing the FortiGate firewall to review additional information and make decisions on whether to allow a device to communicate with the network.
Here are some key features for managing and administering your network:
Technical Details
The FortiGate 50E series offers a range of hardware specifications to suit different needs. The devices have 5 GE RJ45 switch ports, 2 GE RJ45 WAN ports, and 1 USB port.
The FortiGate 50E series also supports wireless connectivity, with the FWF-50E model featuring 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless interface. The FWF-50E-2R model, on the other hand, has dual radio, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac wireless interface.
Here are the system performance specifications for the FortiGate 50E series:
The FortiGate 50E series also has various security features, including IPsec VPN throughput of 200 Mbps and SSL-VPN throughput of 100 Mbps.
See what others are reading: Ssl Vpn Configuration Fortigate
Specifications:
The specifications of these devices are quite impressive. The FG-50E, FWF-50E, FWF-50E-2R, FG-51E, FWF-51E, and FG-52E all have 5 GE RJ45 switch ports.
The FWF-50E and FWF-50E-2R models also come equipped with 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless interfaces, while the FWF-50E-2R has dual radio capabilities.
The FG-51E and FWF-51E models have 32 GB of internal storage, and the FG-52E has 2x 32 GB of internal storage.
Here's a breakdown of the system performance specifications:
The devices also have impressive concurrent session capabilities, with the FG-50E, FWF-50E, FWF-50E-2R, FG-51E, FWF-51E, and FG-52E all able to handle 1.8 million concurrent TCP sessions.
The FWF-50E, FWF-50E-2R, FG-51E, and FWF-51E models can handle up to 250 client-to-gateway IPsec VPN tunnels.
Sizing Considerations
Sizing a firewall model based on the number of users in the network isn't a reliable approach. This is because traffic usage can vary greatly depending on activities like email, web browsing, streaming, and downloading large files.
To determine the right firewall model, consider the traffic bandwidth usage, WAN link speed, and security features enabled on the device. This will give you a more accurate picture of your network's needs.
The lowest throughput rating on the datasheet can serve as a helpful guideline for selecting a firewall model. This rating can be found in the datasheet's table.
For a small office network with a 50-70 Mbps WAN link, the 30E or 50E model would be a suitable option. This is because they can handle the network's traffic requirements without any issues.
If you have a 100Mbps WAN link, you'll need a more powerful firewall model to accommodate full Threat Protection throughput. In this case, the 60E model would be a better choice.
The newest Fortigate 60F model can support 1Gbps Internet speed with full Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) features enabled.
Consider reading: Firewall Fortigate
FortiOS and Licensing
The FortiOS operating system is what powers all Fortigate firewalls, controlling both security and networking features.
All Fortigate firewalls run on this same operating system.
You can use a Fortigate box as a pure firewall device for network protection up to Layer 4, including VPN for site-to-site and remote access, NAT, and firewall policies, without a subscription license.
However, a FortiGuard subscription license is optional and unlocks the real security benefits of Fortinet Next Generation Firewalls with advanced protections that work at Application Layer 7.
With a subscription license, you get access to AI-driven security intelligence services like App Control, Intrusion Prevention, Malware Protection, Antivirus, and Web Filtering.
Security Licenses
Fortigate firewalls run on the FortiOS operating system, which controls all security and networking features.
You can still use a Fortigate box as a pure firewall device for network protection up to Layer 4, including VPN, NAT, and firewall policies, without a subscription license.
However, buying a recurring FortiGuard subscription license is necessary to unlock the real security benefits of Fortinet Next Generation Firewalls.
The FortiGuard subscription license gives you access to AI-driven security intelligence services like App Control, Intrusion Prevention, Malware Protection, Antivirus, and Web Filtering.
There are various flavors and time-length options for the license subscription, including 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year plans.
You can choose from four bundle categories of subscriptions: 360 Protection, Enterprise Protection, UTM, and Threat Protection, each providing different levels of protection features.
All license options are available for purchasing with all Fortigate models, and they're optional, so you can decide whether or not to buy one.
FortiOS
FortiOS is a truly consolidated platform with one OS for all security and networking services for all FortiGate platforms.
This means you can have a single platform that handles all your security and networking needs, making it easier to manage and maintain.
Industry-leading protection is another key feature of FortiOS, with validation from top security organizations like NSS Labs, VB100, AV Comparatives, and ICSA.
FortiOS is also capable of controlling thousands of applications, blocking the latest exploits, and filtering web traffic based on millions of real-time URL ratings.
This level of control and protection is essential in today's digital landscape, where threats and vulnerabilities are constantly evolving.
To give you an idea of the scope of FortiOS's capabilities, here are some of its key features:
- Block advanced attacks automatically in minutes with integrated advanced threat protection framework.
- Solve your networking needs with extensive routing, switching, WiFi, LAN and WAN capabilities.
- Activate all the ASIC-boosted capabilities you need on the fastest firewall platform available.
With FortiOS, you can rest assured that your network is protected and secure, and that you have the tools you need to stay ahead of emerging threats.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many users can FortiGate 50E support?
The FortiGate 50E supports up to 10-15 users. Ideal for small networks, it's a compact and efficient solution for managing user access.
Is FortiGate a router or firewall?
FortiGate is a network security device that also offers routing capabilities, making it a versatile tool for network protection and management. It's primarily a firewall, but its routing features add to its overall functionality.
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