Sophos Firewall VM & SW – Only CPU counts – No more RAM limit
An important change will be made on March 1, 2025. The previous RAM restrictions for virtual and software-based Sophos Firewall instances will be a thing of the past. The license model will be simplified and will now only be based on the number of CPU cores. This change will benefit both new and existing virtual, software and cloud (BYOL) instances.
What is changing in the license model?
Previously, Sophos Firewall licenses were not only structured according to CPU cores, but also according to a specific RAM value (e.g. “SFV1C4” – 1 cores and 4 GB RAM). With the current update, this RAM restriction no longer applies so that the fully allocated RAM capacity can be used – regardless of the original license specification. This means that after a simple restart of the firewall, the previously set RAM parameter is removed and the full RAM is available.
Advantages for IT operations
The abolition of the RAM restriction offers several advantages:
- Simpler license management: IT administrators no longer have to worry about matching RAM and CPU precisely. Licensing is now only based on the required computing power. This is a particular advantage for cloud instances, as there were often no optimally matching options.
- Optimum resource utilization: Existing installations can use the entire available RAM, which can lead to better performance, especially in virtual environments.
- Scalability: As requirements grow, companies can scale their firewall instances efficiently without being restricted by rigid RAM limits.
- Simplified planning: Focusing on CPU cores as the only limitation simplifies budgeting and resource planning in IT infrastructures.
FAQ
What does the new license update include?
The update removes the previous RAM restrictions for virtual, software-based and cloud (BYOL) instances of Sophos Firewall. In future, licensing will be based exclusively on the number of CPU cores.
Does the update apply to all Sophos Firewall instances?
The update affects all new and existing virtual, software and cloud instances. Home user licenses remain unaffected for the time being and will be adjusted in a future update.
How is the update activated?
Existing installations will automatically benefit from the change. After the update, IT administrators can restart the firewall to activate the removal of the RAM restriction.
What impact does the update have on the performance of the firewall?
Full utilization of the available RAM can lead to improved performance and more efficient use of resources, especially in virtualized environments.
