paloalto PA Series PA-500
The Palo Alto Networks PA-500 is a classic 1U rack-mount enterprise next-generation firewall that introduced dedicated control plane and data plane processing to corporate branch perimeters. Delivering 250 Mbps of firewall throughput and 100 Mbps of threat prevention throughput across eight Gigabit Ethernet ports, the PA-500 was an industry benchmark for enterprise security. While officially retired, secondary market demand persists in training environments, lab setups, and legacy spare depots.
Specifications
| Brand | paloalto |
|---|---|
| Family | PA Series |
| Form factor | 1U rack |
| Released | Apr 2008 |
| End of sale | Oct 2017 |
| End of support | Oct 2022 |
| Interfaces | 8x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 traffic ports and 1x dedicated management port |
| Firewall throughput | 250 Mbps App-ID firewall throughput |
| Threat prevention | 100 Mbps threat prevention throughput |
| Ipsec vpn | 50 Mbps IPsec VPN throughput |
| Form factor | 1U rack enclosure with internal power supply |
Generations
- Next generation: paloalto PA Series PA-820
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-500.
- Compatibility Palo Alto Networks Compatibility Matrix
- Support Palo Alto Networks Support
Equivalent models from other brands
FAQ
What PAN-OS version is supported on the PA-500?
The PA-500 supports PAN-OS up to version 8.1.
Does the PA-500 have SFP optical ports?
No, all eight network interfaces on the PA-500 are RJ-45 copper Gigabit ports.
Buying or selling PA-500?
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-500 Product Overview, checked 2026-10-27
- Palo Alto Networks PA-500 Datasheet, checked 2026-10-27