Help us make the Firewalla Switch
We are getting closer to building our first Firewalla Switch! To get us moving faster, please fill out this survey: https://forms.gle/iuCZGmchSshjsTkb7
(By answering this survey, you will be automatically subscribed to Firewalla Newsletters)
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The Spec is pending and needs your requirements
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I just took the survey but ide like to put my thoughts here as well after seeing the options on the survey. I hope the firewalla team will take the following input into consideration. When trying to decide what switch configurations to bring to market, you should be first thinking about what is NEEDED, for complete Firewalla ecosystem integration. Here's what I mean by that. Those of us who have purchased the Firewalla Gold Pro, AP7D & AP7C, did so for 10G connectivity. So right off the bat. I would need a switch that has x5 10G RJ45 to keep my 10G network. Also would need PoE+ for the AP7C. Currently I use a 10G PoE injector for that but the ports still apply. Then obviously if a person has a complete 10G foundation as a core network, then we obviously have devices capable of 10G as well. I also tend to LAG my 10G ports because when buying 10G nics for devices, they usually come in pairs and are SFP+. At least the ones that are well-known, work well, and are CHEAP on eBay second hand. Saying that, I currently use both 10G rj45 as well as SFP+ fiber for both my devices as well as switch to switch trunks. Now saying that. You really only have one good option to cover your current ecosystem, so that your current customers can continue to fully utilize the gear that they have purchased from you (Firewalla). You need a lower end switch, for those who use the 1G and 2.5G versions of firewalla routers, with maybe a few 10G sprinkled in for future expansion. I would suggest a 24port switch, PoE++, 20 ports 1G & 2.5G, 4 ports 10G RJ45. For those of us who have 10G networks use Gold Pro and multiple AP7s, you need a high end switch-- 24 ports, PoE+, 16 ports are all speed rj45 1G, 2.5G , 5G, 10G and the other 8 ports SFP+ . These two switches would cover 99% of users both current and new. There may be a few edge cases where someone needs 10G ports with PoE++ or +++ but I think that's more of an edge case and PoE++ would only be needed for people not running firewalla AP7s. My point is, think about what people have purchased in your CURRENT ecosystem, and make sure you are releasing options that cover YOUR CURRENT ecosystem. Maybe I'm way off and IM the edge case, but if you have people purchasing GOLD PRO and multiple AP7, then they are building out a 10G network and need a switch that supports all the CORE 10G connections, as well as the 10G devices. Maybe even make another survey asking people if they are building out a 10G network and if so, how many core networking devices need 10G and how many end devices need 10G. Then also ask if building out a 1G or 2.5G network, how many core networking devices do you have and how many end devices. This will give you an idea what better to do. The PoE part is easy, PoE+ powers your AP7C, as well as 90 to 95% of what home users would be using for security cameras, smart devices , etc .. So with that, you should be able to cover 99% of firewalla customers needs
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