Traditional Security Appliances that use multi- purpose CPU based architectures becomes an infrastructure bottleneck. The only way for a Network Security Appliance to scale is via purpose built ASICs to accelerate specific parts of the packet processing and content scanning function. Optimum path processing (OPP) is used to optimize the different resources available in packet flow. Key ASICs Fortinet have delivered and continue to develop are as follows;

• Content Processor ASIC (CP8) - Accelerates Content Security
• Network Processor – Accelerates network security tasks such as Firewall, VPN and IPv6 translation
• Flow Processor – Provides Line Rate DDoS and Resource Mapping
• Integrated Switching Fabric ASIC – Connects resources for larger models
• System-On-A-Chip Processor SOC2 (Hybrid ASIC) – Integrates all ASICs including CPU into a single process for best price performance
• Multi-core CPU – Multi-core CPU provide policy and management functions

The ASIC are used to scale from 20Mbps to 500Gbps of Firewall throughput independent of packet size and while maintaining a high number of sessions and a low latency. For the best price performance models use System on a Chip (SOC2) technology. Mid-Range models use segmented CPU’s plus a Network Processor provide additional performance. High End models use multiple different ASIC to performance. Another benefit of the ASIC technology is the ability to run multiple Security Applications without a degradation in performance.