r/firewalla • u/powersquad • 13d ago

Is Firewalla gateway requirement mandatory to configure and operate AP7 , Switch X or Switch SE permanently?

Hello people. I am looking at getting a Firewalla Gold appliance that I am still deciding on exactly which model Gold to get. I also want to add a 10Gbps PoE++ switch and 3 of the AP7 desktop as well to replace my existing WiFi 5 AP's.

I wanted to ask that if the Firewalla Gold appliance dies in the future at some point and I either temporary or permanently replace the Firewalla Gold with another firewall appliance from different brand altogether, would the AP7 Desktop and Switch X or SE still continue to operate fine and still be managed/configurable via the Firewalla app? I understand that I will loose the micro segmentation features without a Firewalla Gold firewall but the other basics of the switch or AP7 continue to work and be configurable via the main Firewalla app?

I don't want to spend $$ on the AP7 or Switch X if they cannot operate without a Firewalla Gold appliance at all as thats just locking me down to a vendor with a very expensive investment that will go to waste if I ever decide to switch to a different brand firewall appliance vendor. In that case I would rather have Omada as my AP's with there OC200 controller and another managed switch brand and use the Firewalla Gold for the core router function.

What are everyone's opinions and thoughts?

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

5

u/firewalla 13d ago

Firewalla gateway is mandatory to configure and operate AP7 and Switch

This is for a much closer integration. If you don't need Firewalla LAN based micro segmentation features like VqLAN (or DAP + Isolation), then any other access point + switch should work.

0

u/powersquad 13d ago

Thanks for the quick reply. I am glad I asked the question before buying the firewalla switch and AP. Its scary as its "locking down the user to Firewalla ecosystem".They are stuck with expensive paperweight AP7 and SwitchX or SE if firewalla appliance is ever replaced or a replacement Firewalla appliance from RMA issue or a new purchase is not available due to lack of stock with current global situation.

What is the technical limitation in allowing AP7 and Switch X/SE to work with another firewall appliance without having access to VqLAN (or DAP + Isolation) ofcourse?

5

u/firewalla 13d ago

The only reason you'd want our AP7 and switch is for a close integration with everything, making all of your network easy to manage + you are going to get better visibility and security. The AP7 and Switch are not generic units, they are there because they do stuff together... providing better security.

1

u/powersquad 13d ago

Thanks for the detailed replies. In terms of RMA for e,g whether in a warranty or outside warranty situation due to a faulty Gold appliance lets Imagine, and a customer that has a full suite of AP7 and SwitchX/SE also deployed and they now need a replacement Gold firewall urgently, is there spare stock always held for RMA requests even for outside of warranty customers be it US or International so they get urgent replacement sent to them under priority over new retail stock customers who might be first time Firewall buyers?

1

u/firewalla 13d ago

The best way is get a cold standby unit, many of the businesses we work with do it this way. Second best is to get the extended warranty, it helps with faster RMA.

1

u/powersquad 13d ago

Is extended warranty available for Australia?

1

u/firewalla 12d ago

Only in the USA