Help us make the Firewalla AP
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- Building a Zero Trust Network with Firewalla
- Firewalla Tutorial: Segmentation and Microsegmentation with AP7
- Early Access hardware is the FINAL production unit
- AP software in BETA.
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Compatibility Requirements:
- Gold, Gold Pro, Gold Plus, Gold SE: Must run Beta software.
- Purple, Purple SE: Must run Early Access software.
- Firewalla must operate in Router mode.
- Firewalla App must run Beta software.
- Availability: USA customers only.
- Shipping: 7–37 days post-order, in waves (FIFO).
- Order Limit: Soft limit of 3 units per order; exceeding this may delay shipment
- Early access signup ends 12/30/2024 at 11:59PM PST.
- A coupon (small discount) will be sent to early access sign-ups before 1/2/2025.
- You do NOT need to sign up to order.
- We started an AP7 Community Page, please post your questions here
- Full Integration with the Firewalla Security Stack
- Zero Trust Network Architecture
- VLAN Segmentation and Microsegmentation Support
- Easy to install, managed anywhere
- Wi-Fi 7, faster and more reliable
- Wi-Fi Mesh with Ethernet or Wi-Fi backhaul
- Firewalla running in router mode is required
- 8 Spatial Streams, tri-band, low-power indoor unit
- 10Gbit + 2.5Gbit Ethernet Interface
- Early access and beta are available only in the USA. (EU and other countries TBD)
- Price for beta units with discount: $299 to $349
- Final price after 1/20/2025: We don't know; it depends on the tariff
- Tentatively, early access/beta sale starts in early January 2025
Key Principles of Zero Trust
- Segmentation and Microsegmentation: Divide your network into smaller segments to limit the lateral movement of threats.
- Least Privilege Access: Grant users and devices only the minimum access necessary to perform their functions on the network.
- Continuous Monitoring: Continuously monitor and verify the security posture of all users and devices.
We usually run a pre-sale cycle, but due to the political changes (new President), it is not possible for us to pre-sale and build units without knowing possible tariff impacts. Instead, we’ve used the sale proceeds from BFCM to pre-purchase a batch of units.
The AP7 units should be built soon and be available for ordering. We plan to split the orders into groups: (This plan is still tentative, we may also merge beta+early access together)
- Early Access (for our earliest supporters at the lowest price, available mid- to late-December 2024. Must be running Firewalla Gold (v1 & v2), Gold SE, Gold Plus or Gold Pro in router mode)
- Beta Access (about 1 month later, available mid-January 2025. Must be running Firewalla Purple or Gold series units in router mode)
- Production (to be decided after 1/20/2025)
- For details please refer the the status update section below
All units will have the final production hardware, software will be in early access/beta.
- Limited number of units available
- Limited to 3 units per customer
- Early access unit will be using early access software
- Beta access will be using beta software
The Firewalla AP7 Ceiling Mount will come a couple of months after 1/20/2025. It will seamlessly integrate with the FWAP7 Desktop units.
Spec
- Triband 2.4Ghz 2x2, 5Ghz 2x2, 6Ghz 4x4
- 8 Spatial Streams, 320Mhz channel support 6Ghz
- Network Interfaces: 10Gbit RJ45 + 2.5Gbit RJ45
- VLAN
- PPSK+WPA2 Support (Personal Key)
- Mesh with Ethernet or Wi-Fi backhaul
- Dimensions: 5.43 x 3.15 x 7.48 inch
- Item Weight: 1.4 lb
- Power: 30W
- Compatible with and Required: Firewalla Gold / Firewalla Purple in router mode
Status Update: 12/10/2024
- The initial batch of APs is nearly complete.
- We plan to ship some units by air right around or after Christmas to reduce shipping costs.
- Shipping optimization is under consideration to keep the beta/early access pricing closer to $299.
- Apps version 1.64 and 1.980 are targeted for "early access" release during the week of 12/16. These updates will include exciting new features and code support for the Firewalla AP.
- Sales are expected to begin in early January, with units shipping within seven days of order placement. (The exact date will be confirmed next week.)
Status Update: 12/17/2024
- The Firewalla AP7 is coming very soon!
- We are aiming for 1/7/2025 9 AM PST as the Early Access purchase date, but we'll let you know if anything changes! (if the shipment is late, then this date might be pushed back to 1/14/2025)
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I think the only down side of this initial release is no MLO is enabled for wireless backhaul and currently the AP is using 6G radio to do the backhaul which is not a good idea if there are mutiple walls between APs. Well, I guess at this point, wired connection will get best result.
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I know Firewalla has pushed back on discussion about the design, but this is the first ‘visible’ product. Slick colors are awesome for us techies, but I can’t imagine suggesting this color scheme to a client. Everyone who doesn’t mind the colors please buy so we keep the product around long enough for a more subtle iteration :)
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If you signed up, we will notify you first about availability (the date the sale will start). We are still working out how to deliver the units and when the first batch will arrive in LA. Please follow the top of this thread; we will communicate via that and post here.
The first batch of mid- to end-December still holds. If anything changes, we will let you all know. Since it is Christmas, the worst case may be early January.
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@Firewalla Is Firewalla open to shipping early access units to social media/bloggers as review units? I've blogged a lot about WiFi this year, and did a whole series on Ruckus configuration. I'd be open to writing a review of the APs, but don't need them for my personal use as I'm full up with Ruckus WiFi 7 APs.
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A few questions. I do apologize if these have been answered. Hopefully these will spark additional questions and comments.
- The product is the FWAP7 Desktop Unit. There is mention that there is going to be a ceiling mount that is offered to convert the Desktop unit to a ceiling mounted AP. Is the Desktop unit the only foreseeable unit, or will there be a follow up ceiling only FWAP7 version that has a different design that is more flush mount to the ceiling?
- Is there only 1 x 10GB port and 1 x 2.5GB port? Are the ports only used for the AP communication to a switch / router or can you plug in other devices. Example 10GB back to the Firewalla Gold Pro and a computer/device plugged into the 2.5GB port?
- 8 Spatial Streams, tri-band, low power indoor unit. Assumption is the AP will be a 2.4GHz, 5GHz and a 6GHz bands.
- How many total internal antennas are within the unit?
- Are there any specifications on the WIFI Data Rate for the 2.4 /5 and 6G? Assumption is that the specifications will be around 2.4G - 4x4 (Tx/Rx) 4096 QAM 20/40MHz, 5 - (4x4 (Tx/Rx) 4096 QAM 20/40/80/160MHz) and 6G (4x4 (Tx/Rx) 4096 QAM 20/40/80/160/320MHz).
- What are the processor and memory specifications?
- Is there a min / max operating temperature of the unit?
- What WIFI encryption will be supported? Assumption that is will be at least WPA/WPA2/WPA3-Personal and hopefully enterprise with support for AES and TKIP-AES with the ability to independently choose based on Band.
- Will there be support for modification of the channel bandwidth and control channel?
- Are there options for roaming assistant to disconnect clients with RSSI lower than specified dBM?
- Is there going to be support for RASIUS server?
- Is there the ability to pin clients to certain APs to ensure clients do not roam between access points?
- How many SSIDs does the unit support? Hoping that there will be at least 1 x per channel and hopefully additional SSIDs for guest, IOT devices that can be routed externally WAN only traffic.
- Will there be vlan segmentation and vlan tagging?
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Answers
1. FWAP7D is the desktop version, coming to sale soon. There will be a FWAP7C, which is a different unit optimized for your ceiling, coming likely after 1/20+2months.
2. Yes, FWAP7D has two ports, 10Gbit and 2.5Gbit. You can connect a computer to either of these
3. triband, yes
4. i believe 8 or 9 anteanas
5. We don't quote theoretical measurements. We did measure in a shielded room, 3 feet from the unit, a oneplus (the fastest phone we can find), can easily get >3Gbit. If AP to AP, can get much higher.
6. We don't quote processor or memory. It will be Qualcomm chipset
7. temperature coming soon
8. Standard WiFi 7 encryption, nothing special
9. Depending on the need, we can make anything visible.
10. Same as above, if needed we can expose roaming, for now, everything is internal.
11. Radius is TBD
12. No idea on the pining part, if it is useful, we can build it.
13. We will limit to 10 WiFi networks to start, the unit can support up to 16 SSID per frequency, the software limit is to ensure your system don't collapse. We can increase this after beta if needed.
14. vlan is supported, dynamic VLAN is supported.
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The initial batch production is already underway (and nearly complete). We expect to airlift some units, making them likely available by the end of December and certainly by early January. We don't have a good sales date now; we are still following air freight pricing. The tentative beta unit pricing will hover around $299. The final production pricing is likely much higher due to the potential tariff after 1/20/2025
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The desktop version is a 2x2x4 (8 streams). The Ceiling version can be 222 or 444, depending on the final negotiated price/value/tariff. The major difference between the desktop and the ceiling version is the antenna positioning. (444 is huge and hot ...) As of bit performance, you are unlikely to see anything major, unless you have the right test equipment.
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I think it is important to have 4 stream on the backhaul band. So if the choice is only 222 or 444 then I vote 444. But if you can do 224 again that would be best IMO.
Phones and tablets are only 2 stream, and that is the majority of wifi devices people want to use. IoT devices are often 1 stream on 2.4ghz, occasionally 2 stream. Only desktop PCs and laptops with really high end adapters are usually 4 stream. But for back haul, you want the most bandwidth possible. So a 4 stream backhaul is a must to me.
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Firewalla, Will these work in a mesh setup? IE will the clients automatically swap between the Firewall AP with the best signal strength if you have say 2 units?. I intend to replace the two Tp-link Wifi 6 Deco's that i have in wired backhaul (one upstairs and one downstairs). Do you envisage just one Firewalla AP per house or several for best coverage on average? Thanks
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You want to mix other mesh with firewalla AP? You certainly can; you will have to use a different SSID; firewalla can't roam or redirect roams to no firewalla units. (same way other units can't redirect to us)
The firewalla units are no different than standard WiFi 7 AP's, The coverage depends on how big your house is, and what's your requirements. How many units you need really depends on how your place is laid out and what's your requirements. For example, my place, in order to get >500mbits every where nicely, I need 3 of these units. (While one unit works, but I won't get the speed every where)
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The price point for beta units should be under 300 for sure. Usually, people in single family home - need like 2 to 3 AP to cover the whole home and other comparable APs are priced around the same price or lower. Maybe I'm not comparing exactly with all features. Even for final retail product should be priced same. I know, seeing 299 appears right compared to other Firewalla products but this is for a single AP. Hope there was enough market comparison done. I bought a Gold Pro last month, very happy and can't wait for a AP too.
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Retail price for Ruckus APs
- R350 - $695
- H350 - $595
- R550 - $860
- H550 - $795
- R750 - $1,510
- R770 - $2,595
None of my clients have any issues paying $3,500+ for a well-designed wireless networking infrastructure because it's the most important technology in their home. Ruckus APs have a ton of technology in them that no one will every use in a residential environment. Hopefully, they release cheaper versions in 2025 with the IoT features removed or disabled.
Firewalla could move into that sweet spot if they were priced 30% cheaper, but had almost all the features that an average person uses.It would also be wise for the Firewalla team to have their APs added into Ekahau, so we can properly heatmap a home with the Firewalla APs.
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