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HW-18.0.0_GA-Build321-321.iso vs. SW-18.0.0_GA-Build321-321.iso

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Hi all

I Googled a lot about Sophos XG Software ISO versus HW ISO and I got a lot of references to this community forum. But still I couldn't find a proper answer.

Maybe I entered the wrong search terms :-)

Can anybody demystify the topic about SW versus HW ?

Example

  • HW-18.0.0_GA-Build321-321.iso
  • SW-18.0.0_GA-Build321-321.iso

Question 1: Does the HW Image really only run on Sophos Genuine Hardware ? I heard that it looks up the serial number from within the hardware and cannot accept a Home Edition Serial Number. Is that true ? Or can the HW Image be installed on any commodity hardware such as https://www.pondesk.com/product/Intel-Atom-E3845-4-LAN-AESNI-3G4G-Fanless-Firewall-Router_MNHO-048 

Question 2: If only SW Image can run on Non-Sophos Hardware, is the SW Image able to use the AES-NI instruction set from the CPU ? I mean is the SW Image slower than the HW Image on comparable devices/appliances ?

Any shed of lights would help to demystify this HW vs. SW topic.

Regards,

Oliver



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  • 0

    Hi,

    the hw ISOs are tuned for each hardware type and pickup the model from within the BIOS or boot sector where as the software ISO will run on almost any intel compatible hardware including Sophos SG and XG hardware.

    I am not sure about the licensing issue though, but HW licences are usually for a limited time eg, 1, 2 or 3 years where's the home user is unlimited and has limited functionality as far as endpoint, sandbox and ATP usage.

    There are a number of threads in these forums about how to install the SW ISO on Sophos hardware.

    The SW ISO will use whatever features are part of the CPU if they are enabled in the BIOS. Yes, the SW ISO is not tuned to use the features of the Sophos hardware so will more than likely run slower that is why the home user is recommended to purchase the fastest CPU and use real cores and I don't mean I7s or I9s.

    Ian

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  • 0

    Hi,

    the hw ISOs are tuned for each hardware type and pickup the model from within the BIOS or boot sector where as the software ISO will run on almost any intel compatible hardware including Sophos SG and XG hardware.

    I am not sure about the licensing issue though, but HW licences are usually for a limited time eg, 1, 2 or 3 years where's the home user is unlimited and has limited functionality as far as endpoint, sandbox and ATP usage.

    There are a number of threads in these forums about how to install the SW ISO on Sophos hardware.

    The SW ISO will use whatever features are part of the CPU if they are enabled in the BIOS. Yes, the SW ISO is not tuned to use the features of the Sophos hardware so will more than likely run slower that is why the home user is recommended to purchase the fastest CPU and use real cores and I don't mean I7s or I9s.

    Ian

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