paloalto PA Series PA-3260
The Palo Alto Networks PA-3260 is a 2U enterprise datacenter firewall delivering four 40GbE QSFP+ ports, four 10GbE SFP+ ports, and twelve Gigabit copper interfaces. Delivering 9.5 Gbps of firewall throughput, 4.8 Gbps of threat prevention throughput, and 4.2 Gbps of IPsec VPN throughput, the PA-3260 introduced 40G optical uplinks to the midrange enterprise tier. Traded actively on secondary broker desks, the PA-3260 provides high-throughput optical core inspection for demanding enterprise networks.
Specifications
| Brand | paloalto |
|---|---|
| Family | PA Series |
| Form factor | 2U rack |
| Released | Feb 2018 |
| Interfaces | 4x 40GbE QSFP+, 4x 10GbE SFP+, and 12x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 ports |
| Firewall throughput | 9.5 Gbps App-ID firewall throughput |
| Threat prevention | 4.8 Gbps threat prevention throughput |
| Ipsec vpn | 4.2 Gbps IPsec VPN throughput |
| Concurrent sessions | Supports up to 3 million concurrent sessions and 160,000 new sessions per second |
| Power | Dual redundant hot-swappable AC or DC power supplies |
Generations
- Previous generation: paloalto PA Series PA-3060
- Next generation: paloalto PA Series PA-3430
Check compatibility with Palo Alto Networks
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that Palo Alto Networks has tested with the paloalto PA Series PA-3260.
- Compatibility Palo Alto Networks Compatibility Matrix
- Support Palo Alto Networks Support
Equivalent models from other brands
FAQ
Can the 40GbE QSFP+ ports on the PA-3260 break out to 4x 10GbE?
Yes, standard 40G to 4x 10G breakout cables are supported in PAN-OS.
What is the maximum concurrent session count on the PA-3260?
It supports up to 3 million concurrent sessions, highest in the PA-3200 Series.
Buying or selling PA-3260?
New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.
Sources
- Palo Alto Networks PA-3260 Product Overview, checked 2026-10-27
- Palo Alto Networks PA-3260 Datasheet, checked 2026-10-27