Help us make the Firewalla AP

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    adamfleet

    @DummyKid

    I started out with just the 6Es then added the 7 max (as the new gateway in router mode) about six months ago and it's been working fine. I am currently paying for Eero Plus, but when my Gold Pro arrives I will switch them to bridge mode and plan to drop Eero Plus if all goes well.

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    Ben Larkins

    If I already have the Eero Max 7, would moving to the FW AP7 be a downgrade? Based on the specs of the Max 7, it's packing 10 spatial streams on a 2x2, 4x4 and 4x4 set up, vs 8 with a 2x2, 2x2 and 4x4. So I guess the question is, would the 2x power on the 5ghz band be a difference maker?

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    Firewalla

    @Ben Larkins, I can only answer this as myself. The Firewalla AP7 strength is more software integration and the ability to have more control over your wifi. This means that there will be nice things like personal keys, VLAN and dynamic VLAN support, and ways to control radios that you don't see in normal consumer devices. (With the AP7 fully integrated with your firewalla, you will be able to do much more today and in the future)

    This also doesn't mean you have to throw away the eero units. When we started this project in early 2024, we ran dual networks, and that worked pretty well until a few months ago, the personal key part of the AP7 started to take over managing smart kids, and then I just replaced the Eero's with Firewalla AP7.  

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    Ben Larkins

    Gotcha, yea honestly despite all that the Max 7's don't seem to have super great range (could be a placement issue, still tinkering) so I'm still gonna pick up the AP7's from you all.  I overlooked that you can control the radios (assuming you mean assign a device to a certain frequency?).  That'd be huge with all my IOTs.

     

     

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    James Zeiger

    We need a switch that can seemlessly work with these AP7 units. I am running a Unfi system beneath my Gold Plus as it is configured with VLAN segmentation for my IoT stuff. I can see that it is quite possible the AP7 gear might not play well with Unifi enterprise switches.

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    Firewalla

    @ben larkins, I mean the ability to change channel, change txpower, and a few other interesting tools. Can't change device frequency, devices usually pick that. 

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    Firewalla

    @James, see the switch link from the top of the thread. We are looking, it is not going to be as easy as the AP7. 

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    James Zeiger

    I am not able to find the reference you are talking about at the top of the thread. AP7 is a no go for me until a compatible switch that is seamless is available. What you are asking me to do is to essentially rip out an entire Unfi and AP system that is configured with vlan tagging and replace the APs with an AP7, two or more. I can’t see dealing with a UniFi enterprise switch and trying to make it work with your AP7s. So, that means that I need to switch to work with your AP7s and if you don’t provide one, it’s not worth it for me to put that much work into it and have it not working because of the UniFi enterprise switch doesn’t want to talk to your AP7s

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    M

    @Janes Zeiger
    You don't necessarily need to rip out all your current switches. If you set up the same VLAN IDs on both sets of hardware and allow the traffic ID to pass through the required physical ports then it should work fine and maintain the proper VLAN ID for traffic.

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    Firewalla

    Heads up: Does anyone here want to use the Purple/Purple SE with the AP7? The 1.980 version on the Purple/Purple SE may require some optimizations, and if we can't make them in time, we may exclude the Purple/Purple SE from the AP7 early access.

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    Dan B

    To confirm, on 1/7/2025 (or 1/14/2025, if delayed), how can I purchase the AP7? Is it as simple as going to https://firewalla.com/products/firewalla-ap7 at 9 AM PST and adding to cart, or is there a separate waitlist that I need to sign up for?

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    Shon

    Will Wall Mounts be included? 

     

    Thanks

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    Firewalla

    @shon, these are desktop units, you need to place them on the table. 

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    Firewalla

    @DAN, yes, you just to go the link and order 9am PST. There is no waitlist.  

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    Ben Larkins

    @shon you can also do what I plan to do coming from my wall mounted eero max 7's... just install a small, decorative shelf on the wall.  Put a small plant next to it to hide the ugly yellow if it's in the living room.... and good as new.  

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    CF

    @firewalla

    Yes would appreciate optimizing purple for AP7.   Hoping to get a gold unit at some point. Some point might look like a year or two away as that is more of a “big nice to have. My current AP comes with a lot of LAN device to device issues, like Air play interruptions, printers dropping off to name a few. Very much looking forward to the AP7 and I just assumed it would work with all FW line up.

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    Shon

    @Ben Larkins Thanks for the suggestion

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    Ben Larkins

    @shon that's a great example! I totally understand these being desktop units, but as everyone knows, APs work best when placed higher up

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    Shon

    @Ben Larkins Yes I wanted to have it high on the wall, like my Orbi

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    M

    If you want to wall mount it, why not get the next AP that is meant to go on ceiling or wall?

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    Shon

    @M that is a great idea is there any status on that project cannot find it on the website

    Thank you

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    Andy

    @Firewalla I thought there was going to be a ceiling mount released at a later time?  Is that a different product all together than the upcoming desktop?  I assumed that was a mount for the desktop to be attached to ceiling or wall?  Thank you.

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    Firewalla

    There will be a ceiling AP (a different product). You can see a version of it in the AP7 video end. 

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    Ben Larkins

    Oh wow, good call out.  I see it there at the 1:58mark.  Being honest it looks WAYYY better than the white/gold.  I might just order 1 of the desktop AP's then to replace my eero max 7 sitting literally on my desk next to the Gold SE, and then wait on 2 of the wall mounts, as 1 will go in the very visible living room and I think I'll fail the Wife Acceptance Factor test if I try placing the yellow desktop on a shelf.

    Two questions - will the ceiling/wall AP come in at a similar early bird price point?  Or overall in general terms how will it compare (more/less expensive?).  Second, I assume it'll be also white labeled and if so, more/less powerful, or the same as the desktop

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    DanM

    Lots of feedback on mounting the desktop units. Eero's, Orbi's and Roku's have wall mounting plates, believe all 3rd party. Possibly FW could poll to see what the real demand is and product a shelf following ion the footsteps of rackmounts for the FW's. Probably in Yellow :)

    Would be good to know if one side is obstructed from being wall mounted, how much will performance be affected? Alternately, is there a preferred side to place against an obstruction which will not affect performance.

    I like the idea of wall mounting above a desktop level. If anyone comes across a good solution, would be great to publish same within the Firewalla or Reddit community.

     

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    Firewalla

    12/30/2024 Update:

    Early Access Sale starts on 1/7/2025 at 9AM PST
    • Early Access hardware is the FINAL production unit
    • AP Software is in BETA (Please make sure you are comfortable with beta).
    • Requires Gold, Gold Pro, Gold Plus, Gold SE, and the Firewalla App in Beta mode.
    • May work with Purple and Purple SE in Early Access/Alpha mode and the Firewalla App in Beta (if you are uncomfortable with Early Access/Alpha, please wait). Double check AP7 product page before ordering.
    • Available only to U.S. customers.
    • Shipping: 7-37 days after order, shipped in waves (FIFO order).
    • Soft limit: 3 units per order. If you purchase more than 3, we may delay your shipments.
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    halfgeek

    Is there a way to ensure, I'm part of this. I have gold pro running in beta and app as well. Would be ordering 3 AP7.
    -- A coupon (small discount) will be sent to early access sign-ups before 1/2/2025.

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    Firewalla

    If you don't get an email (please check spam) on 1/3/2025, please send help@firewalla.com an email

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    Andy

    @Firewalla Do you have any performance testing or expectation results you can share?   Knowing this would help me decide if I need to use the 10Gb or 2.5Gb port to connect back to rest of network.  Thank you!  Happy Almost New Year!  

     

    UPDATE - I see I was wrong on number of streams: 2x2, 2x2, 4x4 = 8 Send and 8 Receive which equals 16 total Tx/Rx.  My old text:  If I remember right, you are planning on 8 MIMO streams rather than WiFi7 spec of 16, but will have WiFi 7 spec of 4096 QAM data density.  I'm wondering how this will effect max amount of throughput in single and multi-device scenarios. 

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