UXG-Enterprise vs. EFG-Enterprise Fortress Gateway: A Detailed Comparison for Buyers
Ubiquiti has introduced two powerful new enterprise gateway devices: the UXG-Enterprise and the EFG-Enterprise Fortress Gateway (EFG). While both models share nearly identical hardware and capabilities, there are some critical differences in how they are managed and deployed. In this detailed comparison, we’ll explore the features, differences, and use cases for each device, helping you decide which one best suits your enterprise network needs.
- Overview: Similarities Between UXG-Enterprise and EFG
Both the UXG-Enterprise and the EFG come packed with enterprise-grade networking capabilities, delivering top-tier performance and redundancy features. Key similarities between the two include:
- Performance: Both gateways can route at speeds over 12.5 Gbps with Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDS/IPS) enabled, making them suitable for high-bandwidth environments.
- Redundancy: Both support Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP), enabling advanced high-availability configurations for failover protection.
- Power Supply: Each model is equipped with hot-swappable dual power supplies, ensuring maximum uptime in case of a power failure.
- Pricing: Both devices are priced equally at $1,999 in the US, making cost less of a determining factor when choosing between them.
- UXG-Enterprise: Cloud-Managed Flexibility
The UXG-Enterprise is designed for enterprises that prefer a flexible, cloud-managed solution. Here’s what makes it stand out:
Key Features of UXG-Enterprise:
- Cloud Adoption: The UXG-Enterprise can be adopted to cloud-hosted UniFi Network controllers. This provides a more reliable management experience, as it removes the complexity of running UniFi Network on the device itself.
- Seamless Remote Management: By leveraging cloud hosting, businesses can easily manage their networks remotely without worrying about maintaining on-site controllers.
- No Feature Limitations: Despite the external management option, the UXG-Enterprise includes the full set of advanced features available on the EFG.
UXG-Enterprise Highlights:
- 12.5 Gbps routing with IDS/IPS enabled.
- VRRP support for redundancy and high availability.
- Dual hot-swappable PSUs for improved uptime.
- Cloud adoption compatibility, making it ideal for businesses using external cloud services.
- EFG-Enterprise Fortress Gateway: On-Site Management Powerhouse
The Enterprise Fortress Gateway (EFG), while nearly identical to the UXG-Enterprise in terms of hardware and performance, takes a different approach when it comes to management.
Key Features of EFG-Enterprise Fortress Gateway:
- Built-in UniFi Network Application: Unlike the UXG-Enterprise, the EFG runs the UniFi Network Application directly on the device itself. This makes it more like a traditional UniFi OS Console, which can handle network management for a single site.
- On-Site Hosting: Because it hosts the UniFi Network application internally, the EFG is better suited for environments where you want to manage everything from a single, on-premises gateway without relying on external controllers.
- Limited to One Site: One of the primary limitations of the EFG is that it can only manage one site. If you need to manage multiple locations or prefer cloud-based management, this could be a drawback.
EFG-Enterprise Fortress Gateway Highlights:
- 12.5 Gbps routing with IDS/IPS enabled.
- VRRP support for redundancy and failover.
- Dual hot-swappable PSUs for uptime protection.
- Hosts UniFi Network itself, potentially adding complexity.
- Which One Should You Choose?
When to Choose the UXG-Enterprise:
- Cloud-Managed Networks: If you’re looking for a cloud-hosted solution, the UXG-Enterprise is the way to go. It’s perfect for enterprises that want the simplicity of external controllers for remote management, without having to run UniFi Network directly on the device.
- Multiple Site Management: If you have multiple locations or plan to scale your network across different sites, the UXG-Enterprise allows you to manage them through a single cloud controller, providing more flexibility.
When to Choose the EFG-Enterprise Fortress Gateway:
- On-Site Management: For enterprises that prefer to host the UniFi Network Application on the device itself and manage their network locally, the EFG is a strong contender. It simplifies management by consolidating everything into a single on-premises gateway, ideal for businesses with centralized operations.
- Single Site Focus: If you only need to manage a single site and don’t require multi-location management, the EFG can handle everything from within the gateway itself.
- Conclusion
Both the UXG-Enterprise and the EFG-Enterprise Fortress Gateway are powerful options for enterprises seeking top-tier networking performance. They offer identical hardware, redundancy features, and throughput capabilities, but their management approaches differ significantly. The choice between these two gateways boils down to how you want to manage your network.
- Choose the UXG-Enterprise if you value cloud-based management and flexibility.
- Choose the EFG-Enterprise Fortress Gateway if you prefer local management with a focus on a single site.
Regardless of your choice, both gateways deliver excellent performance, advanced security features, and redundancy, ensuring your network remains fast, secure, and reliable.
