AP7 initial thoughts

January 17, 2025 02:22

Just got my AP7 today and set it up with my FWG SE. It just worked!

I have a MacBook Pro M4, MacBook Pro M1, MacBook Air M3, iPad Air (latest gen), an Apple Watch, and a Garmin Index S2 scale hooked up at the moment, and they all seem to work fine so far. Getting 3 SSIDs going (trusted devices, work devices, and IoT devices) was super easy, and I set up vqLAN with the scale on its own SSID and it hasn't given me any problems.

Seriously, kudos for making this so easy for a relative networking novice, especially considering the pro-level features. I put aside 5 hours tonight to get it set up, and it took maybe 30 minutes to get going and configured. It was FAR easier than trying to get something even remotely secure with all the other combinations of consumer-level gear I've tried in the past (Orbi, Eero, Nighthawk, and a few others I can't even remember now). I didn't want to drop tons of money on pro-level gear and then have to take an advanced course in network management to learn how to configure it. I think you really hit the sweet spot here.

Will let you know if I encounter any problems going forward as I play with more features, but my initial impressions are super positive.

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14 comments

Firewalla

January 17, 2025 03:27
Thank you! I've forwarded it to the team!
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Eibensl

January 17, 2025 17:42
@clackaclackaclacka : that's great to hear; I'm holding out for the ceiling mounted variant, so didn't order the desktop AP7; will need to experience it vicariously through those of you receiving them for the early testing.

Can you test and provide some real-world metrics?
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Mike

January 17, 2025 19:56

Edited
I just received mine today and setting up the main SSID was easy using the Gold Pro. I'm getting 2gig symmetrical Internet speed tests!

When creating a new SSID, I don't see any of my other networks, I can only select the primary network. I tried editing an existing SSID, but only my primary network is available.

I have a switch in between the AP and the Router, but it has the needed VLANs enabled.
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Firewalla

January 17, 2025 20:04
You don't need a switch for SSID to VLAN mapping. You can create a VLAN-based network on your firewalla. (under network button) Then you can point an SSID to it.

Check out this article and video https://help.firewalla.com/hc/en-us/articles/37151746345491-Getting-Started-with-Firewalla-Access-Point-7#h_01JH3KF7P9VH7VTQVJAW9QJBG9
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Mike

January 17, 2025 20:16

Edited
I had viewed that before, I already have had the networks defined (I used the VLANs with my Unifi APs)

I figured it out, I had to select the exact same ports as my primary network for the other networks.
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Mike

January 17, 2025 20:25
Could you provide any details on the "Maximize Compatibility" option? Are there downsides to having it enabled?
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Firewalla

January 17, 2025 20:32
Maximized Compatibility is a set of tuning parameters (mainly down to the ASIC level) to ensure a wide variety of devices are compatible with WiFi 7. (things like beacon control ...) You can turn it off and give a try, if everything works, then leave it on.
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Mike

January 17, 2025 21:00

Edited
Thanks for the details!

Minor feature request: Could the status LED be disabled when the health is good? One of my access points is in direct view and I'd like to avoid staring at a blue LED.

Also, it would be nice if the main devices list had an icon to show devices that were connected to wifi, without having to tap into them. I like that the WiFi tab has a list of devices, that's helpful.

Thanks!
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Firewalla

January 17, 2025 21:39
Let me take a note: The LED is programmable.

You can go to devices -> top right sort button and sort by "signal strength", you should be able to see the signal strength (which indicates the device is connected). (or do you mean, without sorting, you want to see an indicator that the device is managed by the AP7?)
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Mike

January 17, 2025 21:45
Thanks on the LED, my Asus APs basically have an option to only turn the LED on if there is an issue.

For the device list, a small icon to indicate it is connected to an AP7 device, or maybe an icon that shows wired/WiFi. The Asus app would show an Ethernet port icon or a WiFi icon on the device list, at a glance I could see how something was connected.

Thanks again!
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Mike

January 17, 2025 22:45
One more small feature: It would be nice to get a list of clients connected to a specific Access Point. I can view the access points, but there doesn't seem to be a nice way group clients by AP (I'd like to know which AP is handling which client)

Thanks!
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Firewalla

January 17, 2025 22:52
Tap on WiFi -> Access Point -> tap on a Access Point -> Scroll down, for each Band, there is a connected device, you can tap on it to get to the list.
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Mike

January 17, 2025 22:55
I missed that, thanks!

I'm enjoying the APs so far, great speed and multiple devices that would not connect to Unifi WiFi 7 devices have no issues with the firewalla APs.
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Paul Munk

January 29, 2025 21:48
I setup vlans for IoT and Amazon devices, allong with a few others. I have 1 AP7, and waiting on ceiling mount ones to add 1 or 2 more. I still have my prior wifi as I move devices. I moved all the Echo devices to the Amazon vlan, and now they are back where they were before. I believe this may be a setting in Alexa that saved info for easy setup. Do you know how I keep them from moving back?
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