Fortinet FortiAP Reviews

Name: Fortinet FortiAP
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4 (11 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

11 reviews
90% willing to recommend

What is Fortinet FortiAP?

Fortinet FortiAP provides wireless network access for industries such as banking, healthcare, and logistics. It enhances connectivity with FortiGate and FortiSwitch, ensuring secure data exchange in settings like offices and malls.

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Fortinet FortiAP is the #13 ranked solution in top Wireless LAN solutions. PeerSpot users give Fortinet FortiAP an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Fortinet FortiAP is most commonly compared to Aruba Wireless: Fortinet FortiAP vs Aruba Wireless. Fortinet FortiAP is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 43% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 13% of all views.

Helped 814,763 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Yati Gharat

Chief Technology Officer at Litmus

FortiAP is very good in an indoor environment, but we are struggling with the outdoor environment. That is where we are having certain issues. We are not 100% happy with it. With the indoor environment, we are okay, but we are facing some issues when certain voice-related calls go from wireless points. There are certain drops, and we have faced these issues on an ongoing basis. We also have other vendors such as Aruba and Meraki, and we do not face any issues when there is a Teams or Zoom meeting going on. It could be that FortiAP is okay, but that particular device or appliance is not capable of handling that much load of voice and video. This might be the issue. RF Spectrum Analysis helps to understand what is the coverage and hotspots related to a particular access point, but then when we bought it, we did heat mapping through different vendors. If there are any rogue APs, we can identify them with RF Spectrum Analysis. We can see what the coverage area is, but there are some issues with that. Some of the offices have thick glasses, or the cabins are different, so in the RF coverage, what is shown is not what we get on the practical grounds. There are some issues with signal performance. It has the basic functionality that is mostly used, but there are certain devices that are not able to interconnect. When there is any issue or problem, if the administrator can get some information about that, that will be good. With Meraki and Aruba, we get certain beautiful things. If those can be integrated into this solution, it will be more beneficial, but we understand that being a security company, Fortinet's focus is on security.

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Rui Ribeiro.

Director of Infrastructure at CSAT

The deployment is very specific to each office, and to each building. It is not just plug-and-play. It shouldn't be either. If you want something really robust and a mash of APs and everything working accordingly, the deployment requires going to the building and getting the plans. We have to understand the volume, displays, the walls, the windows - everything inside the building so as to distribute better. With Cisco and Ruckus, it's only connectivity. You just go and install it and connect. With Forti AP, if you want things to work properly, you need to measure, note the parameters, and go and physically install it. Once that is done, it works well. It's set and forget. You don't have to worry about it. It all boils down to whether you have a stack of Fortinet or whether you have just the AP. The clients we have, have Fortinet stacks. Since they're Fortinet clients, we do their job. We study the place, we study the blueprints, we study the location, and we implement the AP according to the location. The configuration itself just takes five minutes. That is easy. You put in the IP and Fortinet does all the work. If you do the pricing correctly, once you plug into the network and register the AP with Fortigate, it's set and forget - unless you want SSIDs or a specific guest account. In that case, you'll have a little more work to do.

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Preshit Lanjekar

Network SME at Capgemini

The FortiAP configuration process is very easy. It is very easy to configure those APs because when you manage them with FortiAP, you have to plug them into the network cable. Once FortiGate discovers them, we must configure a single profile for all those APs. Once we map that profile, it will be automatically configured. FortiAP meets the client's requirements. These features are already available in Fortinet products. If you're asking about data importing, these APs are already controlled using FortiGate. Using FortiGate, we can export data, generate reports, and monitor client activity, including identifying the top talkers. Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

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Fortinet FortiAP mindshare

As of November 2024, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiAP in the Wireless LAN category stands at 2.5%, up from 0.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Oct 31, 2024

Valuable Features

Fortinet FortiAP offers seamless integration with FortiGate and FortiAnalyzer, providing centralized management through a single console. The ease of deployment, performance, stability, and visibility are appreciated. Its compatibility with various Fortinet tools enhances functionality, allowing users to manage SSIDs easily, perform firmware upgrades, and ensure comprehensive security management. Users benefit from passwordless authentication, excellent alert systems, and the ability to control everything directly through the firewall.

"The solution supports recent security components like encryption or hashing algorithms. We can control the APs from FortiGate Firewalls and integrate those APs into FortiGate. You don't have to purchase a separate controller for it."
"The product's deployment phase is very easy since its documentation part is available in the public domain."
"The setup was straightforward."

Room for Improvement

Fortinet FortiAP could improve security integration, pricing, and wireless functionality. Users face challenges with outdoor performance, voice call stability, and legacy device connectivity. Configuration is cumbersome, lacking default access points for initial setup and ongoing needs. Automation and support services need enhancement. RF Spectrum Analysis and signal performance have discrepancies, particularly in environments with thick glass. Increasing SSIDs and providing detailed user information in reports would enhance the overall user experience.

"The improvement factor could be in APs. Also, it could have a control, like MAC address."
"The support offered by the solution has certain shortcomings, making it in areas where improvements are required."
"There is room for improvement in the product by expanding the number of SSIDs that can be broadcast."

ROI

Companies have observed a return on investment from Fortinet FortiAP. It enhances network security, reducing concerns about spoofing. Fortinet FortiAP is considered cost-effective with its range of features, especially when compared to Meraki or Aruba. It has enabled more efficient use of building space, thereby boosting productivity.

Pricing

Fortinet FortiAP pricing is well-received among enterprise buyers for its competitive nature. It is often rated between six and nine out of ten for cost-effectiveness, being cheaper than Cisco and offering better value than Palo Alto and Check Point. While the licensing can be expensive, it remains reasonably priced compared to other market options like Meraki and Aruba, making it accessible for enterprises with varied budget considerations.

"The product is available at a very comfortable price for my company compared to the other products available in the market. The prices of products from Meraki and Aruba are high compared to those of Fortinet."
"We purchased perpetual licensing, and additional costs may vary depending on the services acquired from Fortinet."
"If I compare it with the other enterprise products, the price is good."

Popular Use Cases

Fortinet FortiAP is widely used for delivering wireless network access across various sectors such as banking, warehouses, and healthcare institutions. Businesses utilize FortiAP to extend their network, segment departments, and offer secure connectivity. Managed Service Providers incorporate it into their service stack for enhanced security and connectivity in both indoor and outdoor environments. Users implement it for office networks, in retail spaces for promotional activities, and in combination with FortiGate and FortiSwitch for improved wireless functionality.

Service and Support

Customer service and support for Fortinet FortiAP have mixed feedback. While some appreciate the responsive and knowledgeable support, many experience declining quality and long wait times, especially without premium service. Local partners receive positive remarks for effective assistance. Ratings range from four to nine out of ten, indicating varied experiences among users. Training resources are available, and some users report rarely needing support. Overall impression varies significantly depending on individual experiences and service level.

Deployment

Initial setup for Fortinet FortiAP is straightforward and seamless, integrating easily with FortiSwitch and FortiGate. Many find it easy, taking as little as five minutes for configuration, though a comprehensive deployment involves detailed planning for optimal performance. It's often necessary to consider building specifics like walls and windows. Deployments require Internet connectivity and can be managed remotely. Documentation is publicly available, making setup efficient for both small and large projects.

Scalability

Fortinet FortiAP is rated highly for scalability, with assessments ranging from eight to nine out of ten. Users note that scalability is contingent on firewall models. The environment supports up to thousands of users, with varying feedback on ease of scaling new units. Users in different locations report mixed outcomes with scalability. Most find it suitable for small to medium businesses, with some enterprise-level applications experiencing issues.

Stability

Fortinet FortiAP's stability receives mixed feedback. Some rate it 8 or 10 out of 10, citing minimal issues and high reliability. Others experience instability, with access points disconnecting after two years, requiring restarts. Some fluctuations were noted during FortiOS upgrades, resolved with a new version. While some offices find stability dependent on the number of APs, others report no signal strength problems. A few clients face location-specific issues, impacting their stability ratings.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Fortinet FortiAP Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

13%

Government

Educational Organization

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Construction Company

Non Profit

Media Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

University

Healthcare Company

Transportation Company

Performing Arts

Insurance Company

Outsourcing Company

Hospitality Company

Legal Firm

Mining And Metals Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Compare Fortinet FortiAP with alternative products

Learn more about Fortinet FortiAP

Fortinet FortiAP is integral for managing connected devices across sectors. It integrates seamlessly with Fortinet products, enhancing security and connectivity. Users benefit from a unified console that simplifies configuration and monitoring without additional controllers. The support for passwordless authentication and cloud visibility adds value, while its use in environments like shopping centers and offices facilitates secure data sharing and access.

What are the key features of Fortinet FortiAP?

Integration with FortiGate and FortiAnalyzer: Simplifies network management and monitoring.
Passwordless Authentication: Enhances security and accessibility.
Cloud Dashboard: Provides comprehensive visibility over network activities.
Direct Control from FortiGate: Eliminates the need for separate controllers.
SSID Customization: Supports tailoring of wireless access.

What benefits should users expect from Fortinet FortiAP?

Efficient Network Management: Centralized control and configuration simplify operations.
Comprehensive Reporting: Transparent insights for improved decision-making.
Secure Access: Protects data through advanced security measures.
Seamless Connectivity: Improves user experience with simplified networking.

In industries like banking and healthcare, Fortinet FortiAP is deployed to enhance network security and provide reliable access. Retailers leverage its capabilities in shopping centers, while warehouses benefit from its reliable connectivity to support seamless operations. Managed service providers use it to deliver tailored solutions, ensuring effective network segmentation and coverage.