Firewalla AP7 Ceiling Version (Status and Updates)
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The Firewalla AP7 Ceiling Version
Sale begins 4/15/2025, 9 AM PDT via https://firewalla.com/products/firewalla-ap7-ceiling
Guides:
Shipping:
- Everything shipped as of 5/2/2025
If you are not in the USA, please see this survey https://forms.gle/FeVYUSQXJksSEuUCA
Shipping Update 5/5
- All AP7C units shipped
- All new orders will be shipped 24 hours from payment
- All units should be shipped today. (including the t-bar brackets)
- On 5/5, we will be going to our standard shipping cycle. (shipping one day after order)
- We will be able to send out all AP7C orders on May 2nd
- 25% more units will be send out today
- next batch likely next week ... (hopefully)
Shipping Update 4/18
- Around 20% units will be send out 4/18 or 4/21 (pacific time)
- next batch time is unknown.
(shipping is not deterministic at the moment, so please be patient, we will do our best to update everyone as we have something)
FAQ:
What is the main difference between this ceiling unit and the desktop unit?
The ceiling unit antenna is optimized in one direction (downwards from the ceiling), while the desktop version has an antenna radiating in all directions. By having the AP mounted on the ceiling, you are going to get less interference and more focused power.
The ceiling unit is also powered by PoE+ via the 10Gbit interface, so you do not need to run another power line.
- Ceiling-mounted APs often avoid furniture and human body absorption, leading to cleaner signal propagation.
- Desktop APs may be affected by desks, walls, and objects, leading to signal obstructions and multipath interference.
- There is no power adapter included in the AP7C
Can I use the ceiling unit on the desktop?
It is fully possible, but we do not recommend it. You may get blind spots behind the unit.
Can I use the ceiling unit on the wall?
Yes, but behind the wall, signals may not be that good.
Can this unit be mounted over a 1 gang power box?
Yes, you have two screw holes that line up just for that. It also works nicely with a 2 gang power box with 4 holes.
Can I use these with WiFi backhaul?
Yes. You can power the unit either with a injector (with no ethernet) or a 12V barrel power cord. You can configure it work with WiFi backhaul from another AP7 ceiling or desktop unit.
Can I use this with the AP7 Desktop?
Yes.
What PoE Injector should I get?
PoE+ Injectors that can perform the speed you want. (2.5Gbit or 10Gbit)
Why is the AP7 Ceiling hot?
Wi-Fi 7 has many radios and it is very hot to operate. The AP7C is compact and the back side is a heatsink. A temperature of about 140F is normal for this unit.
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So if we're stuck wall mounting rather than mounting to the ceiling, we'd just need to face these towards expected client usage areas then?
My home setup is not ideal for cable runs and my options are very limited for where I can mount. If I can't face these towards higher traffic areas, would I be better off with the desktop model?
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It would be very helpful to have a visualization of the antennae patterns for the growing family of Firewalla access points. I understand different bands have different patterns. I’ve always admired and have been a customer since the release of the Purple because of the openness of the company.
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In theory (from the ASIC vendor), each frequency band can support up to 128 devices, And we do have real-world tests that support >100 devices (mixed type) per AP.
You need a managed switch only if you have devices on the ethernet want to do VLAN. If it is all WiFi, a firewalla unit + AP7 will work just fine
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