Description
Meet the FortiAP U231F Wi-Fi 6 access point
The FortiAP U Series offers a wide range of access points. You can manage them by any of Fortinet’s controller and management options: Cloud, FortiOS, or WLAN Controller. And the FortiAP U231F Wi-Fi 6 access point is no exception. The “U” stands for “Universal,” because they are universally manageable.
Within the range of Wi-Fi 6 appliances, the FortiAP U231F is at the entry-level, with a surprisingly friendly price for such state of the art hardware.
This 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. There is also a Bluetooth Low Energy radio. Additionally, it has dual 1 Gbps Ethernet ports for PoE flexibility.
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 main feature that set access points like the FortiAP U231F apart from earlier 802.11ac appliances: 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. In WiFi, devices share the bandwidth. 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 yelling and hiccuping 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 WiFi 6 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%. As a result, your FortiAP U231F 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.
FortiAP U231F use case
The FortiAP U231F is ideal in homes with intensive internet use. In addition, it will be good for high-density public environments. Since it’s designed for faster browsing and downloading from mobile devices, companies with 5G deployments and offices with high-bandwidth usage would also benefit. You can manage 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 Corporate Armor at 877-449-0458.
FortiAP U231F highlights
- Universal access management
- Unmatched security protection
- Wi-Fi technologies
- 574 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz radio, 1.2 Gbps in the 5 GHz radio
FortiAP U Series Access Points