Fortigate-VM evalution license and FortiAP management

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
December 12, 2024
5 replies
2121 views

Hi,

Our FortiWLC 50D died on us and I am trying to see if I can rescue our little wifi network with a Fortigate VM.

We only have 5 FortiAP access points.

The evaluation license claims that the only limitations are:

Support for low encryption operation only
Maximum of 1 CPU and 2GiB of memory
Maximum of three interfaces, firewall policies, and routes each
No FortiCare Support

however, the menu called "Managed FortiAPs" simply does not appear. I have checked the Feature visibility setting, rebooted and so on..

It is running version v7.6.1 build3457, I also tested 7.2.10. build1706, same issue.

The docs also states that: "Hardware configuration restrictions apply." but I can't find any details on this.

I have been trying to figure out how the licenses work, but it is hard. From what I can tell a one year license is about double the price of a FortiGate 40F which I don't need a license for and will manage our little network just fine.

Please help, any clarifications on the subject will be much appreciated.

adambomb1219

SuperUser

More importantly, what APs do you have? Do they even support FortiGate management? A FortiWLC 50D is quite an old product at this point. I've never tried to manage APs with an eval FortiGate VM but I would not be surprised if the FortiLink features for switch and AP management are not present.

Why not just buy a new FortiGate instead? Sounds like a wireless refresh is in order.

karlstavAuthor

New Member

We got two FortiAP U431F, two U231F and one AP822.

we only use fortigate for the wifi, so question is if there is a cost effective way of managing these five APs.

it looks like it's leaning the way of getting a FortiGate 40F, I will contact our local reseller, maybe they know more.

adambomb1219

SuperUser

Wow why such a mix of APs? I can't image it's a very good user experience when some APs support only AC wave 2 and others AX. Are these in the same building? Yes I would go with a 40F should be fine for these. I would also replace the 822.

karlstavAuthor

New Member

not that many users total, so i think the AC wave 2 should work just fine.

according to the reseller there was no way of using the VM in a cost efficient way vs the 40F. So a new 40F has been ordered and the 40F does not support the 822 anyway.

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