SonicWall Node License - Illustrated

Any computer or other device connected to a network or LAN is called as Node.

EXAMPLE: If a network connects an FTP Server, Ten Computers, and Four printers, there are Fifteen nodes in the network. 

Nodes within a computer network must have some form of identification like an IP address or MAC address for other network devices to recognize it. This helps keep track of where data is being transferred to and from on the network. A node without this information or one that's offline can no longer functions as a node.

In SonicWall, the Node Counts are calculated as follows:

• Each unique IP address is counted.
• Only flow to the WAN side is counted (IP addresses passing traffics across the WAN zone).
• GVC and SSLVPN connections terminated to the WAN side are counted (Route All GVC and SSLVPN Sessions). 
• Only users on the LAN and non-Wireless zones on other ports are counted towards the node limit.

In SonicWall, what is not calculated as a Node?

• Users connecting to the WLAN or connecting through GVC and SSLVPN are not counted towards the node enforcement on the SonicWall. 
• Internal zone to zone is not counted.
• Guest users are not counted.

TIP:

• The SonicWall Hardware Security Appliances by default is licensed for unlimited nodes. The Licensed Nodes section in the SonicWall GUI displays the message as below:

• With Virtual Security Appliances - NSv platform, the supported node count varies: