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FortiWiFi and FortiAP Configuration Guide

How to increase the number of supported FortiAPs

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How to increase the number of supported FortiAPs

You can increase the number of FortiAP units supported by the FortiGate wireless controller if you configure the FortiAPs to run in local Bridge mode instead of in Tunnel mode.

For each FortiGate model, there are two maximum values that represent the number of FortiAP units that can be supported:

  • The number of FortiAPs that can be supported while operating in Tunnel mode; and
  • The number of FortiAPs that can be supported while operating in Bridged mode.

To see the maximum number of FortiAPs that can be supported, go to the Managed FortiAP page (WiFi and Switch Controller > Managed FortiAPs) and look at the top right for Managed. The number by Managed represents the number of FortiAPs currently being managed.

Hold the pointer over the number to see the maximum number of FortiAPs that can be supported.

Label

Description

1

The total number of Tunnel and Bridged FortiAPs currently being managed.

2

The maximum number of Tunnel and Bridged FortiAPs that can be supported by this FortiGate. For more detailed information, consult the Maximum Values Table.

3

The number of Tunnel FortiAPs currently being managed.

4

The maximum possible number of Tunnel FortiAPs that can be supported currently. This number may change if you add or remove Bridged FortiAPs, but has an upper limit.

5

The number of Bridged FortiAPs currently being managed.

6

The maximum possible number of Bridged FortiAPs that can be supported currently. This number changes if you add or remove Tunnel FortiAPs.

To configure FortiAP units for Bridge mode operation via the GUI
  1. Create at least one SSID with Traffic Mode set to Local bridge with FortiAP's Interface.
  2. Create a custom AP profile that includes only local bridge SSIDs.
  3. Configure the designated FortiAP unit to use the custom AP profile.

    The FortiAP unit automatically switches to Bridge mode.

To configure FortiAP units for Bridge mode operation via the CLI
  1. Create at least one SSID with Traffic Mode set to Local bridge with FortiAP's Interface.
  2. Create a custom AP profile that includes only local bridge SSIDs.
  3. Use the following CLI example to manually select the custom AP profile for the FortiAP unit:

    config wireless-controller wtp

    edit FP221E3X16000017

    set wtp-profile 221E_bridge

    end

How to increase the number of supported FortiAPs

You can increase the number of FortiAP units supported by the FortiGate wireless controller if you configure the FortiAPs to run in local Bridge mode instead of in Tunnel mode.

For each FortiGate model, there are two maximum values that represent the number of FortiAP units that can be supported:

  • The number of FortiAPs that can be supported while operating in Tunnel mode; and
  • The number of FortiAPs that can be supported while operating in Bridged mode.

To see the maximum number of FortiAPs that can be supported, go to the Managed FortiAP page (WiFi and Switch Controller > Managed FortiAPs) and look at the top right for Managed. The number by Managed represents the number of FortiAPs currently being managed.

Hold the pointer over the number to see the maximum number of FortiAPs that can be supported.

Label

Description

1

The total number of Tunnel and Bridged FortiAPs currently being managed.

2

The maximum number of Tunnel and Bridged FortiAPs that can be supported by this FortiGate. For more detailed information, consult the Maximum Values Table.

3

The number of Tunnel FortiAPs currently being managed.

4

The maximum possible number of Tunnel FortiAPs that can be supported currently. This number may change if you add or remove Bridged FortiAPs, but has an upper limit.

5

The number of Bridged FortiAPs currently being managed.

6

The maximum possible number of Bridged FortiAPs that can be supported currently. This number changes if you add or remove Tunnel FortiAPs.

To configure FortiAP units for Bridge mode operation via the GUI
  1. Create at least one SSID with Traffic Mode set to Local bridge with FortiAP's Interface.
  2. Create a custom AP profile that includes only local bridge SSIDs.
  3. Configure the designated FortiAP unit to use the custom AP profile.

    The FortiAP unit automatically switches to Bridge mode.

To configure FortiAP units for Bridge mode operation via the CLI
  1. Create at least one SSID with Traffic Mode set to Local bridge with FortiAP's Interface.
  2. Create a custom AP profile that includes only local bridge SSIDs.
  3. Use the following CLI example to manually select the custom AP profile for the FortiAP unit:

    config wireless-controller wtp

    edit FP221E3X16000017

    set wtp-profile 221E_bridge

    end