In PAN-OS 10.2, deployments of VM-Series firewalls are now based on what factor?

In PAN-OS 10.2, the deployment of VM-Series firewalls specifically considers the number of vCPUs required to meet capacity requirements. This approach allows users to allocate the appropriate resources based on the expected performance and processing needs of their environment. By focusing on vCPUs, the deployment process ensures that the virtual machine has sufficient processing power to handle the workload associated with network traffic.

This method is beneficial because it aligns with virtualization best practices, where CPU resources are often the primary factor in determining a virtual machine's performance capabilities. By adequately sizing the VM-Series firewall in relation to the number of vCPUs, organizations can optimize their network security infrastructure, ensuring that it can effectively manage traffic loads while maintaining low latency and high throughput.

The emphasis on vCPUs also ties into the broader considerations of how virtual deployments should mirror physical deployments in terms of performance expectations, reinforcing the idea that effective resource management is key to achieving security objectives in virtual environments.