The exciting, brand-new FortiAP 432F access point is a ruggedized Wi-Fi 6 device with three internal antennas. It also has features such as OFDMA and is PSE-capable. And it has a surprisingly friendly price for such state of the art hardware.
This 2×2:2 MU-MIMO device has three radios, a 2.4 GHz, a 5 GHz, and a separate scanning radio. It delivers 574 Mbps and 1.2 Gbps Maximum Data Rate, respectively. Additionally, it has dual 1 Gbps Ethernet ports for PoE+ flexibility.
Not only that, the FAP 432F provides a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port, and an additional 1Gbps Ethernet port with PoE out. It can provide 24/7 scanning across both bands while still providing access on both the 2.4 and 5GHz bands. The integral BLE radio can be used for beacons and locationing applications. It can support 512 wireless clients per Wi-Fi radio.
Now, there’s a lot of cool features that all Wi-Fi 6 APs share in common. However, let’s talk a little about the two main features that set access points like the FAP 432F apart from earlier 802.11ac appliances. First, of course, is the fact that it’s an 802.11ax, or Wi-Fi 6 access point.
What’s so great about Wi-Fi 6?
Here’s the thing. WiFi divides bandwidth among endpoint devices. And, when you are in a high-traffic are with lots of access points, their coverage areas will overlap. Think stadiums, concerts, or busy airports. So, as you walk through your airport, you can be moving from one access point to another.
Currently, your endpoint listens for an all-clear signal before transmitting. Basically, it waits it’s turn to speak. So here you are, moving through your airport. Your endpoint (phone) is one of maybe thousands of APs and endpoints that yell and hiccup at each other trying to be heard. It’s sort of like the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Get enough devices in the same area, efficiency and performance suffer.
So, what an access point like the FortiAP 432F does, is it opens up more lines for endpoints to talk on, so they don’t have to wait as long for their turn. It also allows more data into each packet, which can increase total throughput nearly 40%. Now, for the second improvement.
OFDM-what?
Another sort of big feature is OFDMA. The FAP 432F has it, and that’s a good thing. OFDMA is an extension of an earlier architecture; OFDM. Both of these divide a channel into smaller, easy-to-manage units or sub-channels, called subcarriers. Each of those sub-carriers then sends “frames,” or “packets,” consecutively to the receiver.
Basically, an OFDMA device sends these data packets more efficiently. As a result, your FAP 432F delivers a lot less latency, and a lot better coverage. In addition, you experience lower interference and improved flexibility. This leads to increased overall efficiency in small-packet applications in dense environments.
Is the FAP 432F a good fit for me?
The FAP 432F is ideal for high-density public environments, such as the hospitality industry. Because of its’ faster browsing and downloads from mobile devices, companies with 5G deployments and offices with high-bandwidth usage would also benefit. Managed it either by the built-in WLAN controller of your FortiGate, or the easy-to-navigate FortiAP Cloud portal.
But since we’re premier Fortinet specialists, Corporate Armor is your best bet if you want to find out more about this slick, inexpensive little access point. Our advice will be driven by your unique needs, nothing more.
So please reach out to us here, or call 877-449-0458. We can’t wait to serve you!
FortiAP 432F At-A-Glance
| Dual 1 Gbps Ethernet ports | |
| Three radio/antenna, 2×2 MU-MIMO | |
| 1.2 Gbps Maximum Data Rate on the 5 GHz band | |
| 574 Mbps Maximum Data Rate on the 2.4 GHz band |