Palo Alto PA-500 Series — Branch & Mid-size NGFW
Precision AI-powered next-generation firewall series for branch offices and mid-size enterprises. Single-pass architecture, real-time threat prevention, post-quantum cryptography. 10 models (PA-501 / 505 / 510 / 520 / 520-5G / 540 / 545-POE / 550 / 555-POE / 560), 0.8–8.5 Gbps firewall and 0.5–6.0 Gbps threat prevention (appmix).
From the same family
Specifications
- Type
- Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)
- Manufacturer
- Palo Alto Networks
- Series
- PA-500 (new generation, 2025+) — branch and mid-range
- Models
- PA-501, PA-505, PA-510, PA-520, PA-520-5G, PA-540, PA-545-POE, PA-550, PA-555-POE, PA-560
- Firewall throughput (app-mix)
- 0.8 Gbps (PA-501) — 8.5 Gbps (PA-560)
- Threat prevention
- 0.5 Gbps (PA-501) — 6.0 Gbps (PA-560)
- IPsec VPN
- 0.24 Gbps (PA-501) — 5.5 Gbps (PA-560)
- Architecture
- Single-pass parallel processing
- AI / ML
- Precision AI threat prevention
- Cryptography
- Post-quantum ready
- Policy classification
- App-ID + User-ID + Content-ID
- ZTP (Zero Touch)
- Yes (remote deployment)
- PoE variants
- PA-545-POE, PA-555-POE
- Management
- PAN-OS + Strata Cloud Manager (SCM)
- Cloud security services
- Threat Prevention, URL Filtering, WildFire, DNS Security, GlobalProtect
- Previous gen
- PA-220 (EoS 31.01.2023) — migration path per Palo Alto EOL page: PA-400 / PA-500 Series
Key features
- Precision AI real-time threat prevention — zero-day attack protection.
- Single-pass parallel processing architecture — all security services in one pass per packet.
- App-ID + User-ID + Content-ID — policy enforcement by application, user, and content.
- Post-quantum cryptography support — ready for future quantum attacks.
- 10-model series: PA-501 / 505 / 510 / 520 / 520-5G / 540 / 545-POE / 550 / 555-POE / 560.
- PA-520-5G — embedded 5G cellular module, 8 × 1G RJ45 + 2 × 1G SFP (backup or primary WAN).
- Firewall throughput (app-mix): 0.8 Gbps (PA-501) → 8.5 Gbps (PA-560).
- Threat prevention throughput: 0.5 → 6.0 Gbps.
- IPsec VPN throughput: 0.24 → 5.5 Gbps.
- PA-520: 8 × RJ-45 ports, 1.8 Gbps threat performance.
- PA-540: 8 × RJ-45 + 2 × SFP, 2.2 Gbps threat performance.
- PA-545-POE / PA-555-POE — PoE-output variants.
- ZTP (Zero Touch Provisioning) — remote deployment and onboarding.
- Cloud-delivered security services — Threat Prevention, URL Filtering, WildFire, DNS Security, GlobalProtect.
- PAN-OS operating system — Strata management, Strata Cloud Manager (SCM) for centralized policy.
Typical applications
Branch-office NGFW — WAN edge + IPsec VPN to HQ.
Mid-size enterprise HQ NGFW — internet edge + DMZ.
Contact center / hospital — AI threat prevention for critical traffic.
SD-WAN edge — PA-545-POE includes AP + IP phone powering.
Multi-site distributed enterprise — ZTP ready-to-deploy + Strata Cloud Manager centralized policy.
Related Solutions
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Precision AI-powered next-generation firewall series for branch offices and mid-size enterprises. Single-pass architecture, real-time threat prevention, post-quantum cryptography. 10 models (PA-501 / 505 / 510 / 520 / 520-5G / 540 / 545-POE / 550 / 555-POE / 560), 0.8–8.5 Gbps firewall and 0.5–6.0 Gbps threat prevention (appmix).