If you have any problem in pairing with Firewalla Gold series box, please consult Firewalla Gold Installation Troubleshooting. 

Also, feel free to email us at help@firewalla.com; it will create a support case, and our engineers will help you directly.

• STEP 1: Download and Install Firewalla App
• STEP 2: Get to Know the Hardware
  • Gold Original, Gold Rev B, Gold Plus
  • Gold SE
  • Gold Pro
• STEP 3: Wire Up the Box
  • STEP 3.1: Set up as a router (Router Mode) - Recommended
  • STEP 3.2: Add to the existing network (Bridge Mode)
• STEP 4: Pairing Firewalla App with the Box
• STEP 5: Get Started
• How to Mount the Unit

STEP 1: Download and Install Firewalla App

STEP 2: Get to Know the Hardware

Model: Gold Original, Gold Rev B, Gold Plus

• Firewalla Gold has 4 fully-routable Ethernet ports, numbered 1,2,3,4
• Port #4, the one with the yellow square is the default WAN port in the Router Mode 
• The Serial Console can be used in the future to access the unit’s console.  Please DO NOT connect Ethernet cables to this port.
• When you first receive the box, all the ports have dust covers on them. If you are not using a port, please leave the cover on.
• The Gold will always power on by itself when power is applied to the unit.  

• The power button is only used when you want to shut down the unit. (Long-press the button for 5 seconds to shut it down)
• A red security dongle with the Firewalla logo is plugged into one of the USB ports.  It is used for box pairing and activation. Please DO NOT remove it. If you want to switch the dongle to the other USB port, you may. For example to use Wi-Fi SD. 
• A display monitor may be connected via the HDMI port. If you are an advanced user, see this article for some interesting things you can do.
• The reset button can be used for rebooting the unit, it is NOT for Factory Reset. 

The Gold is passively cooled, so please place the unit in a well-vented area.

The Aluminum case conducts heat well, so it will feel hotter when you touch it.  From our manufacture "the surface temperature will reach 60°C / 140°F when the room temperature is 31°C / 88°F and all CPU cores are 100% loaded".

Model: Gold SE

• Firewalla Gold SE has four fully-routable Ethernet ports. Ports #1 and #4 are 2.5G ports, and #2 and #3 are 1G ports. 
• Port #4, the one with the yellow square, is the default WAN port in the Router Mode 
• When you first receive the box, all the ports will have dust covers on them. If you are not using a port, please leave the cover on.
• The Gold will always power on by itself when plugged into power.  

• A red security dongle with the Firewalla logo is plugged into one of the USB ports. This is used for box pairing and activation. Please DO NOT remove it. If you want to switch the dongle to the other USB port, you may (for example, to use the Wi-Fi SD).
   
• SD Card Slot is used when you want to reset the box by reflashing its installer image. 
• A display monitor may be connected via the HDMI port. If you are an advanced user, see this article for some interesting things you can do.
• The reset button can be used to reset the unit. More details can be found here: How to reset Firewalla box?  

Model: Gold Pro

• Firewalla Gold Pro has four fully routable ethernet ports. Ports #1 and #4 are 10G ports, and #2 and #3 are 2.5G ports. 
• Port #4, the one with the yellow square, is the default WAN port in the Router Mode  
   
• When you first receive the box, all the ports will have dust covers. If you are not using a port, please leave the cover on.
• The Serial Console can be used in the future to access the unit’s console. (This port does NOT supply power)
• A display monitor may be connected via the HDMI port. 
• The Reboot button can be used for rebooting the unit; and the Reset button can be used for Factory Reset. More details can be found here: How to reset Firewalla box?  
• A red security dongle with the Firewalla logo is plugged into one of the USB ports. This is used for box pairing and activation. Please DO NOT remove it. If you want to switch the dongle to the other USB port, you may (for example, to use the Wi-Fi SD).

• On the back, there is the power port, the Gold Pro will always power on by itself when plugged into power.  

STEP 3: Wire Up the Box

We highly recommend using the Firewalla Gold in router mode. In this mode, the Firewalla Gold will become your main router, and it will manage your network inline between your network and your ISP modem/router.

• If you have a special use case that requires "transparent bridge mode", please refer to this guide: Learn more about bridge mode. 

STEP 3.1: Set up as main router (Router Mode) - Recommended

Not all networks are the same, and not everyone has the same service providers. To make your life simpler, we start the "Router mode configuration guide" to demonstrate how Firewalla boxes can be running as routers in different ways. 

Scenario A. You have an ISP-provided integrated modem/router

Connect Gold's WAN Port to the LAN Port of Modem/Router, then connect your devices to Gold's LAN ports. 

1. You will need extra Wi-Fi devices such as a Wi-Fi router, Wi-Fi mesh router, or access point (a Wi-Fi-only device) to connect to Firewalla. It is best to run these devices in Access Point mode. 
2. If you want to avoid double NAT in your network, you may turn off the routing function of the modem/router (change it to Bridge mode). 
3. If you do not have an extra Wi-Fi router and don't want to purchase one, please try Simple or DHCP mode (note that support for Simple and DHCP mode may be reduced soon. We highly recommend using Bridge or Router mode).

Scenario B. You have your own router connecting to an ISP modem

Connect Gold's WAN Port to the LAN Port of Modem, then connect the router's WAN port to one of the LAN ports of Gold. After connection, please configure your router into AP mode or Bridge mode.   

Scenario C. You have a mesh network 

Connect Gold's WAN Port to the LAN Port of Modem, then connect the primary device (not the satellite device) 's WAN port to one of the LAN ports of Gold. After connection, please change the mesh router into AP mode or Bridge mode. Check out our guide on specific brand/model.

If you have a Google Wi-Fi Mesh Network ( Here is an additional Guide ).

STEP 3.2: Bridge Mode

(This mode is only needed for special setups. Please go to STEP 4, if you have already picked router mode.)

Firewalla Transparent Bridge Mode is a way of placing a Firewalla device physically in the middle of an existing network without modifying the IP address of the network. Use bridge mode if: 

• Preserve existing router functions due to compliance or the complexity of replacing the router.
• Filter traffic without creating additional networks.

Scenario

Connect Gold to the LAN Port of a Router, then connect your devices to Gold's other ports. All network flows passing through Firewalla will be monitored and controlled. 

Learn more about bridge mode. 

STEP 4: Pairing Firewalla App with the Box

Before pairing, 

1. Reboot the modem/router before installing Gold in router mode. Some service providers may require you to do this when using a new router. 
2. Make sure your mobile phone has internet access. If you are setting up the Gold in router mode, we recommend using cellular data. If you don't have cell service, you can connect to an existing Wi-Fi network. If you don't have cellular data or Wi-Fi access, here's a workaround for setting up Gold as your main router without connecting your phone to the Internet: How to set up Gold/Purple as your main router if your phone has no Internet access.
3. Turn on DHCP function on your router if you have turned it off before. Otherwise Gold may not be able to get its IP Address from it. 

Open the Firewalla App on your phone, tap on the "+" icon, choose Firewalla Gold, the App will guide you to wire up the box. For Gold Pro, choose Firewalla Gold Pro.

When Firewalla Gold is found, the App will ask you to scan the QR code on the bottom of the Gold box. 

Known issue: The Firewalla Android App may accidentally pick up the wrong code (serial code) next to the QR code, you can use your finger to cover up the serial code before scanning.  

Next, select the mode based on the wiring you did in STEP 3. Once the mode is set, and the Box is wired up correctly. Firewalla will automatically set up the network.

STEP 5: Get Started

• Getting Started With Your Firewalla
• Migrating data from other boxes
• Firewalla Gold commonly asked questions and known problems
• Network Configuration and Segmentation using the Network Manager 
• Device Groups
• Manage Rules
• Network Segmentation Use Cases
• Troubleshooting guide
• Try our beta web interface
• Other Firewalla Gold documents

After the Firewalla box is installed successfully, an Auto-Configuration Wizard will appear on the app UI to help you quickly customize the box by asking a few questions. It can be triggered by tapping Settings -> Features ->  Customize Now. This wizard may turn on/off features, create essential rules and etc; all the configurations can be changed on your app afterward. Watch a video tutorial or read more about this feature in our article about using the Auto-Configuration Wizard.

How to Mount the Unit

Firewalla Gold - Original, Gold Plus