FortiGate: Renew the License or Buy a New Device?
Whether to renew the license or buy a new FortiGate is decided by the device's lifecycle (EoL/EoS) status, whether current performance meets the need, and the total cost of ownership (TCO) of renewing versus upgrading.
Decision Criteria
Decision criteria are the device's lifecycle status (EoL/EoS), the adequacy of current performance, the growth plan, and the total cost comparison of renewal versus upgrade.
A single criterion is not enough. If the device is still supported and its performance is adequate, renewal is usually the most economical option. But if end of support is near or capacity is insufficient, an upgrade should be considered.
For model capacity and selection criteria, see the model-selection section of our what is FortiGate guide.
EoL and EoS (Lifecycle) Status
EoL/EoS status is a critical decision factor: Fortinet publishes lifecycle dates per model such as End of Order (EoO) and End of Support (EoS); a device past End of Support cannot get FortiCare/RMA.
When a device reaches End of Support (EoS), technical support, firmware updates, and hardware replacement (RMA) are no longer available. Renewing the license on such a device usually makes no sense; replacement is needed.
| Lifecycle stage | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Active | Full sale and support; renewal is appropriate |
| EoO (end of order) | New sales stop; existing device still supported |
| EoS (end of support) | Support/firmware/RMA end; replacement needed |
We cover support (FortiCare) scope in our FortiCare vs FortiGuard differences article.
Performance and Capacity Needs
Performance needs are decisive: if user count, throughput, and UTM load start exceeding the device's capacity, moving to a higher model may be more appropriate than renewing the license.
Even if the device is supported, if it cannot keep up with growing traffic and UTM load, renewal does not solve the problem. In that case, upgrading to a model with higher Threat Protection performance is necessary for both security and user experience.
For throughput and performance assessment, see our performance optimization and best-practices guide.
Cost Comparison (TCO)
Cost comparison weighs renewal versus new device over multi-year TCO; a new device brings a higher upfront cost but can provide long-term performance and support advantages.
Renewal usually has a lower upfront cost and preserves the existing investment. A new device, with a higher upfront cost, offers better performance, current features, and a long support life. The decision becomes clear with multi-year TCO.
We cover the TCO approach in detail in our license renewal costs and budgeting article.
Decision Guide
The decision guide recommends evaluating EoL/EoS status first, then performance adequacy, and finally TCO. This order quickly leads to the right outcome in most cases.
- Check the device's EoS (end of support) status; if reached, replacement is needed.
- Assess whether current performance meets the need.
- Factor in your growth plan.
- Compare multi-year TCO for renewal and a new device.
- Decide by the balance of risk (lack of support) and benefit.
Find the overall renewal strategy in our comprehensive license renewal guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
My device is old, should I still renew the license?
If the device is still supported (not at EoS) and its performance is adequate, renewal is usually the most economical option. If end of support is near or capacity is insufficient, consider an upgrade.
What does EoS (end of support) mean?
EoS is the date when technical support, firmware updates, and RMA end for a model. Renewing the license on a device past this date usually makes no sense; replacement is needed.
Does renewal fix inadequate performance?
No. Even if the device is supported, if it cannot keep up with growing traffic and UTM load, renewal does not solve it. In that case you need to move to a higher model with greater Threat Protection performance.
Is a new device always more expensive?
The upfront cost is usually higher; but it offers better performance, current features, and a long support life over time. The decision should be made with multi-year TCO.
Where should I start the decision?
Check EoL/EoS status first. If the device is out of support, the decision is clear (replace). If supported, move on to performance and TCO assessment.
Which is more sensible in most cases?
For current, supported devices with adequate performance, renewal is the most economical option. If there is end of support or a capacity bottleneck, a new device stands out.
Conclusion
The decision to renew the license or buy a new FortiGate becomes clear by evaluating EoL/EoS status, performance adequacy, and multi-year TCO together. For supported, adequate devices, renewal is economical; with end of support or a capacity bottleneck, an upgrade is needed.
To evaluate this decision with data specific to your organization, talk to the Sora Yazılım team.