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Using bridged FortiAPs to increase scalability

6.0.0
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Using bridged FortiAPs to increase scalability

The FortiGate wireless controller can support more FortiAP units in local bridge mode than in the normal mode. But this is only true if you configure some of your FortiAP units to operate in remote mode, which supports only local bridge mode SSIDs.

The Managed FortAP page (WiFi & Switch Controller > Managed FortiAPs) shows at the top right the current number of Managed FortiAPs and the maximum number that can be managed, “5/64” for example. The maximum number, however, is true only if all FortiAP units operate in remote mode. For more detailed information, consult the Maximum Values Table. For each FortiGate model, there are two maximum values for managed FortiAP units: the total number of FortiAPs and the number of FortiAPs that can operate in normal mode.

To configure FortiAP units for remote mode operation
  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 each managed FortiAP unit to use the custom AP profile. You also need to set the FortiAP unit’s wtp-mode to remote, which is possible only in the CLI. The following example uses the CLI both to set wtp-mode and select the custom AP profile:

config wireless-controller wtp

edit FAP22B3U11005354

set wtp-mode remote

set wtp-profile 220B_bridge

end

Using bridged FortiAPs to increase scalability

The FortiGate wireless controller can support more FortiAP units in local bridge mode than in the normal mode. But this is only true if you configure some of your FortiAP units to operate in remote mode, which supports only local bridge mode SSIDs.

The Managed FortAP page (WiFi & Switch Controller > Managed FortiAPs) shows at the top right the current number of Managed FortiAPs and the maximum number that can be managed, “5/64” for example. The maximum number, however, is true only if all FortiAP units operate in remote mode. For more detailed information, consult the Maximum Values Table. For each FortiGate model, there are two maximum values for managed FortiAP units: the total number of FortiAPs and the number of FortiAPs that can operate in normal mode.

To configure FortiAP units for remote mode operation
  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 each managed FortiAP unit to use the custom AP profile. You also need to set the FortiAP unit’s wtp-mode to remote, which is possible only in the CLI. The following example uses the CLI both to set wtp-mode and select the custom AP profile:

config wireless-controller wtp

edit FAP22B3U11005354

set wtp-mode remote

set wtp-profile 220B_bridge

end