Fortigate-VM evalution license and FortiAP management

[karlstav]

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]

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.

[karlstav]

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]

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.

[karlstav]

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.