Technical Tip: Enable the 6 GHz band on the FortiAP for India region
Description
This article describes steps to enable the new 6 GHz band on the FortiAP for the India region
Scope
FortiAP v7.6.5 GA, FortiGate v7.6.7 GA, FortiAP-G (WiFi 6E) and K (WiFi 7) series indoor models.
Solution
The new 6 GHz band is supported in India starting with FortiAP v7.4.7, v7.6.4 GA, and later firmware versions. In order to enable 6 GHz channels in the FortiAP profile, the FortiGate should be running new FortiOS v7.6.7, v8.0.0 GA, or higher versions.
To activate the 6 GHz radio, a 'WPA3-Enterprise-only' SSID should be mapped to the 6 GHz radio on the FortiAP profile.
Only WiFi clients that are WiFi 6E (802.11ax) or WiFi 7 (802.11be) chipsets can operate on the 6 GHz band. Ensure the Windows Laptop Wireless Network Adapter drivers are up to date on the WiFi clients.
Refer to the Fortinet guide to WiFi 6 + 7 Design and Planning: Introduction.
The following are example screenshots where a Windows Laptop using an 'Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6E AX211 160MHz' WiFi chipset client successfully connected to a WPA3-Enterprise-only SSID operating on the 6 GHz band on the FortiAP-431G and FortiAP-241K v7.6.5 GA in India on the FortiGate v7.6.7 GA firmware:
WPA3-Enterprise-only SSID:
FortiAP-431G operating on the 6 GHz operating channel 17:
WiFi 6E (11ax) Laptop and Smartphone connected to the 6 GHz band on FortiAP-431G:
FortiAP-241K operating on the 6 GHz operating channel 81:
WiFi 6E (11ax) Laptop connected to 6 GHz band on FortiAP-241K:
Note:
Starting from FortiAP v8.0.0 and above, only FortiAP-231K, 241K, 23JK, and 441K models support 6 GHz in India. Refer to issue 1247542 in FortiAP v8.0.0's release notes: Introduction.
Related documents:
New feature 1170645 (enable 6GHz channels 1 ~ 93 for India): New features or enhancements.
New feature 1151101 (added a 6GHz channel utilization chart for FortiAP G and K series on the FortiGate Dashboard) on the new FortiOS v8.0.0 GA firmware: New features or enhancements.