VM-Series Virtual Next-Generation Firewall - ARM (BYOL)

What do you like best about the product?

One thing i like a lot that it does not lack any features from physical firewalls, almost everything you have and need in physical FW, you can have it on VM-Series. Also i like the depth of the security it provides. Deep pack inspection, user/device context, URL filtering, DNS Security and the list goes on, are must features for any company that takes cybersecurity serioysly.

What do you dislike about the product?

I don't like that in VMware ESXi only certain drivers are supported and i dont like the fact, that except that i think that fully deployment is kinda expensive, also required a lot of resources (CPU, RAM etc) to meet performance requirement.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

The number one problem it solves is about security, more specifically cloud enviromenent without missing any feature or policy from traditional FW. A plus is the deep inspection and monitoring in applications/users.

What do you like best about the product?

I like the fact that VM series firewall delivers the same full enterprise-grade security functionality as appliance-based solutions, but with instant deployment, avoiding the challenges of international shipping and customs clearance in East Africa, especially Ethiopia. It requires no rack space and also offers flexibility to scale with our country’s dynamic economy, because it allows you to start small and expand as needed. Its intuitive, easy-to-learn GUI is also one of my favorite features. Overall, it’s the best security solution you can get without the logistical headaches

What do you dislike about the product?

One of the things I dislike is the complex licensing model, which can be difficult for some of our customers, along with the high product price and mandatory annual subscriptions. For a country with a weaker economy like ours, securing foreign currency (USD/forex) for these payments is a major challenge. Related to this, the VM series sometimes lags when applying configurations, even after allocating significant resources, which can be frustrating. Another major challenge for Palo Alto in general is the lack of a true local presence. There is a demand for these solutions in Africa, and I would like to see Palo Alto engage more actively in East Africa, especially Ethiopia.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall is helping us deal with the logistical and cost challenges of deploying appliance-based firewalls in Ethiopia. International shipping and customs clearance are one of the major barriers in our region that slow down projects, but with the VM-Series we get full enterprise-grade security functionality through instant deployment without those challenges. the VM products flexibility feature to start small and scale as our infrastructure grows is also valuable, especially in a dynamic economy like Ethiopia’s.

What do you like best about the product?

I like that the VM-Series offers strong security features such as advanced application and user identification, along with effective threat prevention including malware and zero-day attack detection. Its ability to provide detailed visibility and control over network traffic in virtual and cloud environments is a major advantage. The firewall’s flexibility to deploy across different cloud platforms and virtual infrastructures makes it very adaptable to various environments.

What do you dislike about the product?

The main downsides are the relatively high licensing and subscription costs, which can add up over time. There is also a steep learning curve for teams new to the platform, making setup and optimization complex. Performance can be limited by the host environment, especially under heavy traffic or with many security features enabled. Additionally, some users find the interface less responsive and troubleshooting can be challenging in complex deployments.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Virtual Firewall solves critical security challenges in virtualized and cloud environments by providing advanced threat prevention, granular visibility, and consistent policy enforcement across hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures. It addresses the problem of securing dynamic workloads that traditional physical firewalls can’t easily protect, enabling organizations to maintain strong security posture while scaling their operations flexibly. This benefits me by ensuring that network traffic is closely monitored and controlled, reducing the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches. It also simplifies management through centralized control, saving time and effort while improving compliance and operational efficiency. Overall, it helps protect valuable assets without slowing down business growth or complicating cloud adoption.

What do you like best about the product?

Stability of the palo alto and reliability of the palo series also the GUI is more easy to use .
Also the palo Alto give us more functions that can be use.

What do you dislike about the product?

That the virtual PaloAlto firewall isn't on premises so it can be attacked by hacker more than the Hardware PaloAlto firewall. Also the OS need to be more smoothly to upgrade.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

It can be functional easily to user and can use the user id . And easy to improve without needing to upgrade the hardware chase or the box all we need is the certificate.

What do you like best about the product?

It seamlessly integrates with cloud environments, offering consistent protection across hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures. The VM-Series provides robust threat prevention, deep traffic inspection, and granular application control without compromising performance.

What do you dislike about the product?

Additionally, the initial learning curve and complexity of the platform can be challenging for teams new to Palo Alto’s ecosystem. Improved documentation or more simplified setup guides could help speed up deployment for some users.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

It effectively solves problems related to securing dynamic workloads, controlling application traffic, and preventing advanced cyber threats across hybrid infrastructures. By integrating seamlessly with our existing Cortex software, we benefit from enhanced threat intelligence and automated response capabilities, which improve our overall security posture and streamline incident management.