Is it cheaper to deploy a UTM appliance or my own hardware?

Question

Hello. 
 I need to install a UTM at a remote office and establish a RED connection back to head office. I'm unsure if I should purchase a UTM appliance or install onto my own hardware. I'm confident I can achieve the same results either way but cost is a big factor in this project. 
 All I need at the remote office is: 
 
 a RED connection back to head office 
 essential firewall (obviously) 
 web protection (as I don't want to backhaul this to head office) 
 wireless protection (I'll need to deploy an AP55 access point) 
 capacity for 5 users initially, probably no more than 15 total, that won't require much bandwidth (just accessing a few apps from head office and internet/email) 
 
 So my question is whether one option is significantly cheaper than the other? If I buy the appliance do I still need the FullGuard license on top or is the appliance licensed already? I assume for the above I'll need FullGuard rather than BasicGuard. 
 Thanks, Dave

JosefBergmann · Accepted Answer

David Webb said: 
 Thanks for the reply. Are you saying that all appliances include the FullGuard as a bundle? Or will I still need to buy the license on top of the hardware? I was thinking about getting the SG210 as it is rack mountable. 
 
 No, just the "Totalprotect"-bundles includes the "FullGuard"-subscription with the appliance. 
 If you just buy the appliance you only get the "Essential Firewall" license wich only includes some basic firewall-features (no RED, no Webfilter, no Wireless). 
 The SG210 is heavly oversized for 5-15 users, in would suggest the SG115 (optimal according sizing-guide). There is also a 19" rack-kit option for the SG1XX-models if you need rack mountable.

BAlfson · Answer

Hi Dave and welcome to the UTM Community! 
 As Josef implies above, no, that doesn't sound right. 
 The SG 210 is serious overkill for what you describe - an SG 115 likely might better fill the bill if cost is an issue. 
 Instead of the 25-IP license, start with one for 10 IPs. If you get past 10, it's a simple matter to change the license to 25 IPs in exchange for cutting the time remaining to about half what you had on the 10-IP subscription. 
 There are other issues involved in this decision, so you might want to ask Sophos Sales for a different reseller recommendation if your current one isn't asking more questions about speeds, usage levels, etc. 
 Cheers - Bob