Rogue AP scanning as a background activity

Each WiFi radio can perform monitoring of radio channels in its operating band while acting as an AP. It does this by briefly switching from AP to monitoring mode. By default, a scan period starts every 300 seconds. Each second a different channel is monitored for 20ms until all channels have been checked.

Monitoring rogue APs                                                                                                  Wireless network monitoring

During heavy AP traffic, it is possible for Spectrum Analysis background scanning to cause lost packets when the radio switches to monitoring. To reduce the probability of lost packets, you can set the CLI ap-bgscan-idle field to delay the switch to monitoring until the AP has been idle for a specified period. This means that heavy AP traffic may slow background scanning.

The following CLI example configures default background rogue scanning operation except that it sets apbgscan-idle to require 100ms of AP inactivity before scanning the next channel.

config wireless-controller wtp-profile edit ourprofile config radio-1 set wids-profile ourwidsprofile set spectrum-analysis enable

end

end

config wireless-controller wids-profile edit ourwidsprofile set ap-scan enable set rogue-scan enable set ap-bgscan-period 300 set ap-bgscan-intv 1 set ap-bgscan-duration 20 set ap-bgscan-idle 100

end

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On-wire rogue AP detection technique

Other APs that are available in the same area as your own APs are not necessarily rogues. A neighboring AP that has no connection to your network might cause interference, but it is not a security threat. A rogue AP is an unauthorized AP connected to your wired network. This can enable unauthorized access. When rogue AP detection is enabled, the On-wire column in the Rogue AP Monitor list shows a green up-arrow on detected rogues.

Rogue AP monitoring of WiFi client traffic builds a table of WiFi clients and the Access Points that they are communicating through. The FortiGate unit also builds a table of MAC addresses that it sees on the LAN. The FortiGate unit’s on-wire correlation engine constantly compares the MAC addresses seen on the LAN to the MAC addresses seen on the WiFi network.

There are two methods of Rogue AP on-wire detection operating simultaneously: Exact MAC address match and MAC adjacency.

Exact MAC address match

If the same MAC address is seen on the LAN and on the WiFi network, this means that the wireless client is connected to the LAN. If the AP that the client is using is not authorized in the FortiGate unit configuration, that AP is deemed an ‘on-wire’ rogue. This scheme works for non-NAT rogue APs.

MAC adjacency

If an access point is also a router, it applies NAT to WiFi packets. This can make rogue detection more difficult.

However, an AP’s WiFi interface MAC address is usually in the same range as its wired MAC address. So, the MAC adjacency rogue detection method matches LAN and WiFi network MAC addresses that are within a defined numerical distance of each other. By default, the MAC adjacency value is 7. If the AP for these matching MAC addresses is not authorized in the FortiGate unit configuration, that AP is deemed an ‘on-wire’ rogue.

Limitations

On-wire rogue detection has some limitations. There must be at least one WiFi client connected to the suspect AP and continuously sending traffic. If the suspect AP is a router, its WiFi MAC address must be very similar to its Ethernet port MAC address.

Logging

Information about detected rogue APs is logged and uploaded to your FortiAnalyzer unit, if you have one. By default, rogue APs generate an alert level log, unknown APs generate a warning level log. This log information can help you with PCI-DSS compliance requirements.

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Monitoring rogue APs

The access point radio equipment can scan for other available access points, either as a dedicated monitor or in idle periods during AP operation.

 

Monitoring

Discovered access points are listed in Monitor > Rogue AP Monitor. You can then mark them as either Accepted or Rogue access points. This designation helps you to track access points. It does not affect anyone’s ability to use these access points.

It is also possible to suppress rogue APs. See Monitoring rogue APs on page 111.

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Monitoring wireless clients

To view connected clients on a FortiWiFi unit

1. Go to Monitor > Client Monitor.

The following information is displayed:

SSID	The SSID that the client connected to.
FortiAP	The serial number of the FortiAP unit to which the client connected.
User	User name
IP	The IP address assigned to the wireless client.
Device
Auth	The type of authentication used.
Channel	WiFi radio channel in use.
Bandwidth Tx/Rx	Client received and transmitted bandwidth, in Kbps.
Signal Strength / Noise	The signal-to-noise ratio in deciBels calculated from signal strength and noise level.
Signal Strength
Association Time	How long the client has been connected to this access point.

Results can be filtered. Select the filter icon on the column you want to filter. Enter the values to include or select NOT if you want to exclude the specified values.

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Protecting the WiFi Network

Wireless IDS

WiFi data channel encryption

Protected Management Frames and Opportunisitc Key Caching support

Wireless IDS

The FortiGate Wireless Intrusion Detection System (WIDS) monitors wireless traffic for a wide range of security threats by detecting and reporting on possible intrusion attempts. When an attack is detected the FortiGate unit records a log message.

You can create a WIDS profile to enable these types of intrusion detection:

• Asleap Attack—ASLEAP is a tool used to perform attacks against LEAP authentication.
• Association Frame Flooding—A Denial of Service attack using a large number of association requests. The default detection threshold is 30 requests in 10 seconds.
• Authentication Frame Flooding—A Denial of Service attack using a large number of association requests. The default detection threshold is 30 requests in 10 seconds.
• Broadcasting De-authentication—This is a type of Denial of Service attack. A flood of spoofed de-authentication frames forces wireless clients to de-athenticate, then re-authenticate with their AP.
• EAPOL Packet Flooding—Extensible Authentication Protocol over LAN (EAPOL) packets are used in WPA and WPA2 authentication. Flooding the AP with these packets can be a denial of service attack. Several types of EAPOL packets are detected: EAPOL-FAIL, EAPOL-LOGOFF, EAPOL-START, EAPOL-SUCC.
• Invalid MAC OUI—Some attackers use randomly-generated MAC addresses. The first three bytes of the MAC address are the Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI), administered by IEEE. Invalid OUIs are logged.
• Long Duration Attack—To share radio bandwidth, WiFi devices reserve channels for brief periods of time. Excessively long reservation periods can be used as a denial of service attack. You can set a threshold between 1000 and 32 767 microseconds. The default is 8200. l Null SSID Probe Response—When a wireless client sends out a probe request, the attacker sends a response with a null SSID. This causes many wireless cards and devices to stop responding.
• Spoofed De-authentication—Spoofed de-authentication frames are a denial of service attack. They cause all clients to disconnect from the AP.
• Weak WEP IV Detection—A primary means of cracking WEP keys is by capturing 802.11 frames over an extended period of time and searching for patterns of WEP initialization vectors (IVs) that are known to be weak. WIDS detects known weak WEP IVs in on-air traffic.
• Wireless Bridge—WiFi frames with both the fromDS and ToDS fields set indicate a wireless bridge. This will also detect a wireless bridge that you intentionally configured in your network.

You can enable wireless IDS by selecting a WIDS Profile in your FortiAP profile.

To create a WIDS Profile

1. Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > WIDS Profiles.
2. Select a profile to edit or select Create New.

WiFi data channel encryption                                                                                          Protecting the WiFi Network

3. Select the types of intrusion to protect against. By default, all types are selected.
4. Select Apply.

You can also configure a WIDS profile in the CLI using the config wireless-controller widsprofile command.

Rogue AP detection

The WIDS profile includes settings for detection of unauthorized (rogue) access points in your wireless network. For more information, see Wireless network monitoring on page 111.

WIDS client deauthentication rate for DoS attacks

As part of mitigating a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, the FortiGate sends deauthentication packets to unknown clients. In an aggressive attack, this deauthentication activity can prevent the processing of packets from valid clients. A WIDS Profile option in the CLI limits the deauthentication rate.

config wireless-controller wids-profile edit default set deauth-unknown-src-thresh <1-65535>

end

The value set is a measure of the number of deathorizations per second. 0 means no limit. The default is 10.

WiFi data channel encryption

Optionally, you can apply DTLS encryption to the data channel between the wireless controller and FortiAP units. This enhances security.

There are data channel encryption settings on both the FortiGate unit and the FortiAP units. At both ends, you can enable Clear Text, DTLS encryption, or both. The settings must agree or the FortiAP unit will not be able to join the WiFi network. By default, both Clear Text and DTLS-encrypted communication are enabled on the FortiAP unit, allowing the FortiGate setting to determine whether data channel encryption is used. If the FortiGate unit also enables both Clear Text and DTLS, Clear Text is used.

Data channel encryption settings are located in the FortiAP profile. By default, only Clear Text is supported.

Configuring encryption on the FortiGate unit

You can use the CLI to configure data channel encryption.

Enabling encryption

In the CLI, the wireless wtp-profile command contains a new field, dtls-policy, with options clear-text and dtls-enabled. To enable encryption in profile1 for example, enter:

config wireless-controller wtp-profile

Protecting the WiFi Network                              Protected Management Frames and Opportunisitc Key Caching support

edit profile1 set dtls-policy dtls-enabled

end

Configuring encryption on the FortiAP unit

The FortiAP unit has its own settings for data channel encryption.

Enabling CAPWAP encryption – FortiAP web-based manager

1. On the System Information page, in WTP Configuration > AC Data Channel Security, select one of:

l Clear Text l DTLS Enabled l Clear Text or DTLS Enabled (default)

2. Select Apply.

Enabling encryption – FortiAP CLI

You can set the data channel encryption using the AC_DATA_CHAN_SEC variable: 0 is Clear Text, 1 is DTLS Enabled, 2 (the default) is Clear Text or DTLS Enabled.

For example, to set security to DTLS and then save the setting, enter

cfg -a AC_DATA_CHAN_SEC=1 cfg -c

Protected Management Frames and Opportunisitc Key Caching support

Protected Management Frames (PMF) protect some types of management frames like deauthorization, disassociation and action frames. This feature, now mandatory on WiFi certified 802.1ac devices, prevents attackers from sending plain deauthorization/disassociation frames to disrupt or tear down a connection/association. PMF is a Wi-Fi Alliance specification based on IEEE 802.11w.

To facilitate faster roaming client roaming, you can enable Opportunistic Key Caching (OKC) on your WiFi network. When a client associates with an AP, its PMK identifier is sent to all other APs on the network. This eliminates the need for an already-authenticated client to repeat the full EAP exchange process when it roams to another AP on the same network.

Use of PMF and OKC on an SSID is configurable only in the CLI:

config wireless-controller vap edit <vap_name> set pmf {disable | enable | optional} set pmf-assoc-comeback-timeout <integer> set pmf-sa-query-retry-timeout <integer>

set okc {disable | enable}

next

end

When pmf is set to optional, it is considered enabled, but will allow clients that do not use PMF. When pmf is set to enable, PMF is required by all clients.

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Using Remote WLAN FortiAPs

Remote WLAN FortiAP models enable you to provide a pre-configured WiFi access point to a remote or traveling employee. Once plugged in at home or in a hotel room, the FortiAP automatically discovers the enterprise FortiGate WiFi controller over the Internet and broadcasts the same wireless SSID used in the corporate office. Communication between the WiFi controller and the FortiAP is secure, eliminating the need for a VPN.

Split tunneling

By default, all traffic from the remote FortiAP is sent to the FortiGate WiFi controller. If split tunneling is configured, only traffic destined for the corporate office networks is routed to the FortiGate unit. Other general Internet traffic is routed unencrypted through the local gateway. Split tunneling avoids loading the FortiGate unit with unnecessary traffic and allows direct access to local private networks at the FortiAP’s location even if the connection to the WiFi controller goes down.

Note: Split tunneling in WiFi networks differs in implementation from split tunneling in VPN configurations.

By default, split tunneling options are not visible in the FortiGate GUI. You can make these options visible using the following CLI command:

config system settings set gui-fortiap-split-tunneling enable

end

Split tunneling is configured in Managed FortiAPs, FortiAP Profiles, and enabled in the SSID.

Configuring the FortiGate for remote FortiAPs

This section assumes that you have already defined SSIDs and now want to make them available to remote FortiAPs.

• Create FortiAP profiles for the Remote LAN FortiAP models l If split tunneling will be used l configure override split tunneling in Managed FortiAPs l enable Split Tunneling in the SSID
• configure the split tunnel networks in the FortiAP profile

Override Split Tunneling

Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > Managed FortiAPs and edit your managed APs. When preconfiguring the AP to connect to your FortiGate WiFi controller, you can choose to override split tunneling, optionally including the local subnet of the FortiAP.

Creating FortiAP profiles

If you were not already using Remote LAN FortiAP models, you will need to create FortiAP profiles for them. In the FortiAP profile, you specify the SSIDs that the FortiAP will broadcast. For more information, see “Creating a FortiAP Profile” on page 43.

Configuring the FortiGate for remote FortiAPs                                                              Using Remote WLAN FortiAPs

Configuring split tunneling – FortiGate GUI

Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > SSID and edit your SSID. In the WiFi Settings section, enable Split Tunneling.

Go to WiFi Controller > FortiAP Profiles and edit the FortiAP Profile(s) that apply to the AP types used in the WiFi network. In the Split Tunneling section, enable Include Local Subnet and Split Tunneling Subnet(s), where you can enter a list all of the destination IP address ranges that should not be routed through the the FortiGate WiFi controller. Packets for these destinations will instead be routed through the remote gateway local to the FortiAP.

The list of split tunneling subnets includes public Internet destinations and private subnets local to the FortiAP. Split tunneling public Internet destinations reduces traffic through the FortiGate unit. Split tunneling local private subnets allows these networks to be accessible to the client behind the FortiAP. Otherwise, private network IP destinations are assumed to be behind the FortiGate WiFi controller.

Configuring split tunneling – FortiGate CLI

In this example, split tunneling is configured on the example-ssid WiFi network. On FortiAP model 21D, traffic destined for the 192.168.x.x range will not be routed through the FortiGate WiFi controller. This private IP address range is typically used as a LAN by home routers.

config wireless-controller vap edit example-ssid set split-tunneling enable

end

config wireless-controller wtp-profile edit FAP21D-default set split-tunneling-acl-local-ap-subnet enable config split-tunneling-acl edit 1 set dest-ip 192.168.0.0 255.255.0.0

end

end

To enter multiple subnets, create a split-tunneling-acl entry for each one.

Overriding the split tunneling settings on a FortiAP

If the FortiAP Profile split tunneling settings are not appropriate for a particular FortiAP, you can override the settings on that unit.

config wireless-controller wtp edit FAP321C3X14019926 set override-split-tunnel enable

set split-tunneling-acl-local-ap-subnet enable config split-tunneling-acl edit 1 set dest-ip 192.168.10.0 255.255.255.0

end end

Using Remote WLAN FortiAPs                                                                                     Configuring the FortiAP units

Configuring the FortiAP units

Prior to providing a Remote WLAN FortiAP unit to an employee, you need to preconfigure the AP to connect to your FortiGate WiFi controller.

To pre-configure a FortiAP

1. Connect the FortiAP to the FortiGate unit.
2. Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > Managed FortiAPs and wait for the FortiAP to be listed. Click Refresh periodically to see the latest information. Note the Connected Via IP address.
3. Go to Dashboard. In the CLI Console, log into the FortiAP CLI. For example, if the IP address is 192.168.1.4, enter:

exec telnet 192.168.1.4

Enter admin at the login prompt. By default, no password is set.

4. Enter the following commands to set the FortiGate WiFi controller IP address. This should be the FortiGate Internet-facing IP address, in this example 172.20.120.142.

cfg -a AC_IPADDR_1=172.20.120.142 cfg -c

5. Enter exit to log out of the FortiAP CLI.

Preauthorizing FortiAP units

By preauthorizing FortiAP units, you facilitate their automatic authorization on the network. Also, you can assign each unit a unique name, such as the employee’s name, for easier tracking.

1. Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > Managed FortiAPs and create a new entry.
2. Enter the Serial Number of the FortiAP unit and give it a Name. Select the appropriate FortiAP Profile.
3. Click OK.

Repeat this process for each FortiAP.

Features for high-density deployments

High-density environments such as auditoriums, classrooms, and meeting rooms present a challenge to WiFi providers. When a large number of mobile devices try to connect to a WiFi network, difficulties arise because of the limited number of radio channels and interference between devices.

FortiOS and FortiAP devices provide several tools to mitigate the difficulties of high-density environments.

Power save feature

Occasionally, voice calls can become disrupted. One way to alleviate this issue is by controlling the power save feature, or to disable it altogether.

Manually configure packet transmit optimization settings by entering the following command:

config wireless-controller wtp-profile edit <name> config <radio-1> | <radio-2> set transmit-optimize {disable | power-save | aggr-limit | retry-limit | sendbar}

l disable: Disable transmit optimization. l power-save: Mark a client as power save mode if excessive transmit retries happen. l aggr-limit: Set aggregation limit to a lower value when data rate is low. l retry-limit: Set software retry limit to a lower value when data rate is low. l send-bar: Do not send BAR frame too often.

Broadcast packet suppression

Broadcast packets are sent at a low data rate in WiFi networks, consuming valuable air time. Some broadcast packets are unnecessary or even potentially detrimental to the network and should be suppressed.

ARP requests and replies could allow clients to discover each other’s IP addresses. On most WiFi networks, intraclient communication is not allowed, so these ARP requests are of no use, but they occupy air time.

DHCP (upstream) should be allowed so that clients can request an IP address using DHCP.

DHCP (downstream) should be suppressed because it would allow a client to provide DHCP service to other clients. Only the AP should do this.

NetBIOS is a Microsoft Windows protocol for intra-application communication. Usually this is not required in highdensity deployments.

IPv6 broadcast packets can be suppressed if your network uses IPv4 addressing.

You can configure broadcast packet suppression in the CLI. The following options are available for broadcast suppression:

config wireless-controller vap edit <name>

Features for high-density deployments                                                                        Multicast to unicast conversion

set broadcast-suppression {dhcp-up | dhcp-down | dhcp-starvation | arp-known | arpunknown | arp-reply | arp-poison | arp-proxy | netbios-ns | netbios-ds | ipv6 | all-other-mc | all-other-bc}

end

dhcp-starvation helps prevent clients from depleting the DHCP address pool by making multiple requests. arp-poison helps prevent clients from spoofing ARP messages.

Because of all these specific multicast and broadcast packet types, the two options all-other-mc and allother-bc help suppress multicast (mc) and broadcast (bc) packets that are not covered by any of the specific options.

Multicast to unicast conversion

Multicast data such as streaming audio or video are sent at a low data rate in WiFi networks. This causes them to occupy considerable air time. FortiOS provides a multicast enhancement option that converts multicast streams to unicast. A unicast stream is sent to each client at high data rate that makes more efficient use of air time. You can configure multicast-to-unicast conversion in the CLI:

config wireless-controller vap edit <vap_name> set multicast-enhance enable

end

Ignore weak or distant clients

Clients beyond the intended coverage area can have some impact on your high-density network. Your APs will respond to these clients’ probe signals, consuming valuable air time. You can configure your WiFi network to ignore weak signals that most likely come from beyond the intended coverage area. The settings are available in the CLI:

config wireless-controller vap edit <vap_name> set probe-resp-suppression enable set probe-resp-threshold <level_int>

end vap_name is the SSID name.

probe-resp-threshold is the signal strength in dBm below which the client is ignored. The range is -95 to 20dBm. The default level is -80dBm.

Turn off 802.11b protocol

By disabling support for the obsolete 802.11b protocol, you can reduce the air time that beacons and management frames occupy. These signals will now be sent at a minimum of 6Mbps, instead of 1Mbps. You can set this for each radio in the FortiAP profile, using the CLI:

config wireless-controller wtp-profile edit <name_string>

 

Disable low data rates                                                                                   Features for high-density deployments

config radio-1 set powersave-optimize no-11b-rate

end

Disable low data rates

Each of the 802.11 protocols supports several data rates. By disabling the lowest rates, air time is conserved, allowing the channel to serve more users. You can set the available rates for each 802.11 protocol: a, b, g, n, ac. Data rates set as Basic are mandatory for clients to support. Other specified rates are supported.

The 802.11 a, b, and g protocols are specified by data rate. 802.11a can support 6,9,12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 54

Mb/s. 802.11b/g can support 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9,12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mb/s. Basic rates are specified with the suffix “basic”, “12-basic” for example. The capabilities of expected client devices need to be considered when deciding the lowest Basic rate.

The 802.11n and ac protocols are specified by the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) Index and the number of spatial streams.

• 11n with 1 or 2 spatial streams can support mcs0/1, mcs1/1, mcs2/1, mcs3/1, mcs4/1, mcs5/1, mcs6/1, mcs7/1,mcs8/2,mcs9/2, mcs10/2, mcs11/2, mcs12/2, mcs13/2, mcs14/2, mcs15/2.
• 11n with 3 or 4 spatial streams can support mcs16/3, mcs17/3, mcs18/3, mcs19/3, mcs20/3, mcs21/3, mcs22/3, mcs23/3, mcs24/4, mcs25/4, mcs26/4, mcs27/4, mcs28/4, mcs29/4, mcs30/4, mcs31/4.
• 11ac with 1 or 2 spatial streams can support mcs0/1, mcs1/1, mcs2/1, mcs3/1, mcs4/1, mcs5/1, mcs6/1, mcs7/1, mcs8/1, mcs9/1, mcs0/2, mcs1/2, mcs2/2, mcs3/2, mcs4/2, mcs5/2, mcs6/2, mcs7/2, mcs8/2, mcs9/2.
• 11ac with 3 or 4 spatial streams can support mcs0/3, mcs1/3, mcs2/3, mcs3/3, mcs4/3, mcs5/3, mcs6/3, mcs7/3, mcs8/3, mcs9/3, mcs0/4, mcs1/4, mcs2/4, mcs3/4, mcs4/4, mcs5/4, mcs6/4, mcs7/4, mcs8/4, mcs9/4 Here are some examples of setting basic and supported rates.

config wireless-controller vap edit <vap_name> set rates-11a 12-basic 18 24 36 48 54 set rates-11bg 12-basic 18 24 36 48 54

set rates-11n-ss34 mcs16/3 mcs18/3 mcs20/3 mcs21/3 mcs22/3 mcs23/3 mcs24/4 mcs25/4 set rates-11ac-ss34 mcs0/3 mcs1/3 mcs2/3 mcs9/4 mcs9/3

end

Limit power

High-density deployments usually cover a small area that has many clients. Maximum AP signal power is usually not required. Reducing the power reduces interference between APs. Fortinet recommends that you use FortiAP automatic power control. You can set this in the FortiAP profile.

1. Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > FortiAP Profiles and edit the profile for your AP model.
2. For each radio, enable Auto TX Power Control and set the TX Power Low and TX Power High The default range of 10 to 17dBm is recommended.

Features for high-density deployments                                                                Use frequency band load-balancing

Use frequency band load-balancing

In a high-density environment is important to make the best use of the two WiFi bands, 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The 5GHz band has more non-overlapping channels and receives less interference from non-WiFi devices, but not all devices support it. Clients that are capable of 5GHz operation should be encouraged to use 5GHz rather than the 2.4GHz band.

To load-balance the WiFi bands, you enable Frequency Handoff in the FortiAP profile. In the FortiGate webbased manager, go to WiFi & Switch Controller > FortiAP Profiles and edit the relevant profile. Or, you can use the CLI:

config wireless-controller wtp-profile edit FAP221C-default config radio-1 set frequency-handoff enable

end

The FortiGate wireless controller continuously performs a scan of all clients in the area and records their signal strength (RSSI) on each band. When Frequency Handoff is enabled, the AP does not reply to clients on the

2.4GHz band that have sufficient signal strength on the 5GHz band. These clients can associate only on the 5GHz band. Devices that support only 2.4GHz receive replies and associate with the AP on the 2.4GHz band.

Setting the handoff RSSI threshold

The FortiAP applies load balancing to a client only if the client has a sufficient signal level on 5GHz. The minimum signal strength threshold is set in the FortiAP profile, but is accessible only through the CLI:

config wireless-controller wtp-profile edit FAP221C-default set handoff-rssi 25

end

handoff-rssi has a range of 20 to 30. RSSI is a relative measure. The higher the number, the stronger the signal.

AP load balancing

The performance of an AP is degraded if it attempts to serve too many clients. In high-density environments, multiple access points are deployed with some overlap in their coverage areas. The WiFi controller can manage the association of new clients with APs to prevent overloading.

To load-balance between APs, enable AP Handoff in the FortiAP profile. In the FortiGate web-based manager, go to WiFi & Switch Controller > FortiAP Profiles and edit the relevant profile. Or, you can use the CLI:

config wireless-controller wtp-profile edit FAP221C-default config radio-1 set ap-handoff enable

end

When an AP exceeds the threshold (the default is 30 clients), the overloaded AP does not reply to a new client that has a sufficient signal at another AP.

Application rate-limiting                                                                                 Features for high-density deployments

Setting the AP load balance threshold

The thresholds for AP handoff are set in the FortiAP profile, but is accessible only through the CLI:

config wireless-controller wtp-profile edit FAP221C-default set handoff-sta-thresh 30 set handoff-rssi 25

end

handoff-sta-thresh sets the number of clients at which AP load balancing begins. It has a range of 5 to 35.

handoff-rssi Sets the minimum signal strength that a new client must have at an alternate AP for the overloaded AP to ignore the client. It has a range of 20 to 30. RSSI is a relative measure. The higher the number, the stronger the signal.

Application rate-limiting

To prevent particular application types from consuming too much bandwidth, you can use the FortiOS Application Control feature.

1. Go to Security Profiles > Application Control.

You can use the default profile or create a new one.

2. Click the category, select Traffic Shaping and then select the priority for the category.

Repeat for each category to be controlled.

3. Select Apply.
4. Go to Policy & Objects > IPv4 Policy and edit your WiFi security policy.
5. In Security Profiles, set Application Control ON and select the security profile that you edited.
6. Select OK.

 

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Combining WiFi and wired networks with a software switch

Combining WiFi and wired networks with a software switch

FortiAP local bridging (Private Cloud-Managed AP)

Using bridged FortiAPs to increase scalability

Combining WiFi and wired networks with a software switch

A WiFi network can be combined with a wired LAN so that WiFi and wired clients are on the same subnet. This is a convenient configuration for users. Note that software switches are only available if your FortiGate is in Interface mode.

To create the WiFi and wired LAN configuration, you need to:

• Configure the SSID so that traffic is tunneled to the WiFi controller.
• Configure a software switch interface on the FortiGate unit with the WiFi and internal network interface as members. l Configure Captive Portal security for the software switch interface.

To configure the SSID – web-based manager

1. Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > SSID and select Create New.
2. Enter:

Interface name	A name for the new WiFi interface, homenet_if for example.
Traffic Mode	Tunnel to Wireless Controller
SSID	The SSID visible to users, homenet for example.
Security Mode Data Encryption Preshared Key	Configure security as you would for a regular WiFi network.

3. Select OK.
4. Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > Managed FortiAPs, select the FortiAP unit for editing.
5. Authorize the FortiAP unit.

The FortiAP unit can carry regular SSIDs in addition to the Bridge SSID.

Combining WiFi and wired networks with a software switch

To configure the SSID – CLI

This example creates a WiFi interface “homenet_if” with SSID “homenet” using WPA-Personal security, passphrase “Fortinet1”.

config wireless-controller vap edit “homenet_if” set vdom “root” set ssid “homenet” set security wpa-personal set passphrase “Fortinet1”

end

config wireless-controller wtp edit FAP22B3U11005354 set admin enable set vaps “homenet_if”

end

To configure the FortiGate software switch – web-based manager

1. Go to Network > Interfaces and select Create New > Interface.
2. Enter:

Interface Name	A name for the new interface, homenet_nw for example.
Type	Software Switch
Physical Interface Members	Add homenet_if and the internal network interface.
Addressing mode	Select Manual and enter an address, for example 172.16.96.32/255.255.255.0
DHCP Server	Enable and configure an address range for clients.
Security Mode	Select Captive Portal. Add the permitted User Groups.

3. Select OK.

To configure the FortiGate unit – CLI

config system interface edit homenet_nw set ip 172.16.96.32 255.255.255.0 set type switch set security-mode captive-portal set security-groups “Guest-group”

end

config system interface edit homenet_nw set member “homenet_if” “internal” end

FortiAP local bridging (Private Cloud-Managed AP)

VLAN configuration

If your environment uses VLAN tagging, you assign the SSID to a specific VLAN in the CLI. For example, to assign the homenet_if interface to VLAN 100, enter:

config wireless-controller vap edit “homenet_if” set vlanid 100

end

Additional configuration

The configuration described above provides communication between WiFi and wired LAN users only. To provide access to other networks, create appropriate firewall policies between the software switch and other interfaces.

FortiAP local bridging (Private Cloud-Managed AP)

A FortiAP unit can provide WiFi access to a LAN, even when the wireless controller is located remotely. This configuration is useful for the following situations:

• Installations where the WiFI controller is remote and most of the traffic is local or uses the local Internet gateway l Wireless-PCI compliance with remote WiFi controller
• Telecommuting, where the FortiAP unit has the WiFi controller IP address pre-configured and broadcasts the office SSID in the user’s home or hotel room. In this case, data is sent in the wireless tunnel across the Internet to the office and you should enable encryption using DTLS.

FortiAP local bridging (Private Cloud-Managed AP)

Remotely-managed FortiAP providing WiFi access to local network

On the remote FortiGate wireless controller, the WiFi SSID is created with the Bridge with FortiAP Interface option selected. In this mode, no IP addresses are configured. The FortiAP unit’s WiFi and Ethernet interfaces behave as a switch. WiFi client devices obtain IP addresses from the same DHCP server as wired devices on the LAN.

The Local Bridge feature cannot be used in conjunction with Wireless Mesh features.

Block-Intra-SSID Traffic is available in Bridge mode. This is useful in hotspotdeployments managed by a central FortiGate, but would also be useful in cloud deployments. Previously, this was only supported in Tunnel mode.

To configure a FortiAP local bridge – web-based manager

1. Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > SSID and select Create New > SSID.
2. Enter:

Interface name	A name for the new WiFi interface.
Traffic Mode	Local bridge with FortiAP’s Interface
SSID	The SSID visible to users.

FortiAP local bridging (Private Cloud-Managed AP)

Security Mode Data Encryption Preshared Key

Configure security as you would for a regular WiFi network.

3. Select OK.
4. Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > Managed FortiAPs and select the FortiAP unit for editing.
5. Authorize the FortiAP unit.

The FortiAP unit can carry regular SSIDs in addition to the Bridge SSID.

SSID configured for Local Bridge operation

To configure a FortiAP local bridge – CLI

This example creates a WiFi interface “branchbridge” with SSID “LANbridge” using WPA-Personal security, passphrase “Fortinet1”.

config wireless-controller vap edit “branchbridge” set vdom “root” set ssid “LANbridge” set local-bridging enable set security wpa-personal set passphrase “Fortinet1”

end

config wireless-controller wtp edit FAP22B3U11005354 set admin enable set vaps “branchbridge” end

Using bridged FortiAPs to increase scalability

Continued FortiAP operation when WiFi controller connection is down

The wireless controller, or the connection to it, might occasionally become unavailable. During such an outage, clients already associated with a bridge mode FortiAP unit continue to have access to the WiFi and wired networks. Optionally, the FortiAP unit can also continue to authenticate users if the SSID meets these conditions:

• Traffic Mode is Local bridge with FortiAP’s Interface.

In this mode, the FortiAP unit does not send traffic back to the wireless controller.

• Security Mode is WPA2 Personal.

These modes do not require the user database. In WPA2 Personal authentication, all clients use the same preshared key which is known to the FortiAP unit.

• Allow New WiFi Client Connections When Controller is down is enabled. This field is available only if the other conditions have been met.

The “LANbridge” SSID example would be configured like this in the CLI:

config wireless-controller vap edit “branchbridge” set vdom “root” set ssid “LANbridge” set local-bridging enable set security wpa-personal set passphrase “Fortinet1” set local-authentication enable

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.

Using bridged FortiAPs to increase scalability

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 wtpmode 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

 

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Wireless Mesh

The access points of a WiFi network are usually connected to the WiFi controller through Ethernet wiring. A wireless mesh eliminates the need for Ethernet wiring by connecting WiFi access points to the controller by radio. This is useful where installation of Ethernet wiring is impractical.

Overview of Wireless Mesh

Configuring a meshed WiFi network

Configuring a point-to-point bridge

Overview of Wireless Mesh

The figure below shows a wireless mesh topology.

A wireless mesh is a multiple AP network in which only one FortiAP unit is connected to the wired network. The other FortiAPs communicate with the controller over a separate backhaul SSID that is not available to regular WiFi clients. The AP that is connected to the network by Ethernet is called the Mesh Root node. The backhaul SSID carries CAPWAP discovery, configuration, and other communications that would usually be carried on an Ethernet connection.

The root node can be a FortiAP unit or the built-in AP of a FortiWiFi unit. APs that serve regular WiFi clients are called Leaf nodes. Leaf APs also carry the mesh SSID for more distant leaf nodes. A leaf node can connect to the mesh SSID directly from the root node or from any of the other leaf nodes. This provides redundancy in case of an AP failure.

All access points in a wireless mesh configuration must have at least one of their radios configured to provide mesh backhaul communication. As with wired APs, when mesh APs start up they can be discovered by a FortiGate or FortiWiFi unit WiFi controller and authorized to join the network.

Overview of Wireless Mesh

The backhaul SSID delivers the best performance when it is carried on a dedicated radio. On a two-radio FortiAP unit, for example, the 5GHz radio could carry only the backhaul SSID while the 2.4GHz radio carries one or more SSIDs that serve users. Background WiFi scanning is possible in this mode.

The backhaul SSID can also share the same radio with SSIDs that serve users. Performance is reduced because the backhaul and user traffic compete for the available bandwidth. Background WiFi scanning is not available in this mode. One advantage of this mode is that a two-radio AP can offer WiFi coverage on both bands.

Wireless mesh deployment modes

There are two common wireless mesh deployment modes:

Wireless Mesh	Access points are wirelessly connected to a FortiGate or FortiWiFi unit WiFi controller. WiFi users connect to wireless SSIDs in the same way as on non-mesh WiFi networks.
Wireless bridging	Two LAN segments are connected together over a wireless link (the backhaul SSID). On the leaf AP, the Ethernet connection can be used to provide a wired network. Both WiFi and wired users on the leaf AP are connected to the LAN segment to which the root AP is connected.

Firmware requirements

All FortiAP units that will be part of the wireless mesh network must be upgraded to FAP firmware version 5.0 build 003. FortiAP-222B units must have their BIOS upgraded to version 400012. The FortiWiFi or FortiGate unit used as the WiFi controller must be running FortiOS 5.0.

Types of wireless mesh

A WiFi mesh can provide access to widely-distributed clients. The root mesh AP which is directly connected to the WiFi controller can be either a FortiAP unit or the built-in AP of a FortiWiFi unit that is also the WiFi controller.

FortiAP units used as both mesh root AP and leaf AP

Overview of Wireless Mesh

FortiWiFi unit as root mesh AP with FortiAP units as leaf APs

An alternate use of the wireless mesh functionality is as a point-to-point relay. Both wired and WiFi users on the leaf AP side are connected to the LAN segment on the root mesh side.

Overview of Wireless Mesh Point-to-point wireless mesh

Configuring a meshed WiFi network

Fast-roaming for mesh backhaul link

Mesh implementations for leaf FortiAP can perform background scan when the leaf AP is associated to root. Various options for background scanning can be configured with the CLI. See Mesh variables on page 183 for more details.

Configuring a meshed WiFi network

You need to:

• Create the mesh root SSID. l Create the FortiAP profile. l Configure mesh leaf AP units.
• Configure the mesh root AP, either a FortiWiFi unit’s Local Radio or a FortiAP unit. l Authorize the mesh branch/leaf units when they connect to the WiFi Controller.
• Create security policies.

This section assumes that the end-user SSIDs already exist.

Creating the mesh root SSID

The mesh route SSID is the radio backhaul that conveys the user SSID traffic to the leaf FortiAPs.

To configure the mesh root SSID

1. Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > SSID and select Create New > SSID.
2. Enter a Name for the WiFi interface.
3. In Traffic Mode, select Mesh Downlink.
4. Enter the SSID.
5. Set Security Mode to WPA2 Personal and enter the Pre-shared key.

Remember the key, you need to enter it into the configurations of the leaf FortiAPs.

6. Select OK.

Creating the FortiAP profile

Create a FortiAP profile for the meshed FortiAPs. If more than one FortiAP model is involved, you need to create a profile for each model. Typically, the profile is configured so that Radio 1 (5GHz) carries the mesh backhaul SSID while Radio 2 (2.4GHz) carries the SSIDs to which users connect.

The radio that carries the backhaul traffic must not carry other SSIDs. Use the Select SSIDs option and choose only the backhaul SSID. Similarly, the radio that carries user SSIDs, should not carry the backhaul. Use the Select SSIDs option and choose the networks that you want to provide.

For more information, see Configuring a WiFi LAN on page 40.

Configuring the mesh root FortiAP

The mesh root AP can be either a FortiWiFi unit’s built-in AP or a FortiAP unit.

 

Configuring a meshed WiFi network

To enable a FortiWiFi unit’s Local Radio as mesh root – web-based manager

1. Go to WiFi Controller > Local WiFi Radio.
2. Select Enable WiFi Radio.
3. In SSID, select Select SSIDs, then select the mesh root SSID.
4. Optionally, adjust TX Power or select Auto Tx Power Control.
5. Select Apply.

In a network with multiple wireless controllers, make sure that each mesh root has a unique SSID. Other controllers using the same mesh root SSID might be detected as fake or rogue APs. Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > SSID to change the SSID.

To configure a network interface for the mesh root FortiAP unit

1. On the FortiGate unit, go to Network > Interfaces.
2. Select the interface where you will connect the FortiAP unit, and edit it.
3. Make sure that Role is LAN.
4. In Addressing mode, select Dedicated to Extension Device.
5. In IP/Network Mask, enter an IP address and netmask for the interface.

DHCP will provide addresses to connected devices. To maximize the number of available addresses, the interface address should end with 1, for example 192.168.10.1.

6. Select OK.

At this point you can connect the mesh root FortiAP, as described next. If you are going to configure leaf FortiAPs through the wireless controller (see “Configuring a meshed WiFi network” on page 89), it would be convenient to leave connecting the root unit for later.

To enable the root FortiAP unit

1. Connect the root FortiAP unit’s Ethernet port to the FortiGate network interface that you configured for it.
2. Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > Managed FortiAPs.

If the root FortiAP unit is not listed, wait 15 seconds and select Refresh. Repeat if necessary. If the unit is still missing after a minute or two, power cycle the root FortiAP unit and try again.

3. Right-click the FortiAP entry and choose your profile from the Assign Profile
4. Right-click the FortiAP entry and select Authorize.

Initially, the State of the FortiAP unit is Offline. Periodically click Refresh to update the status. Within about two minutes, the state changes to Online.

5. Select OK.

You might need to select Refresh a few times before the FortiAP shows as Online.

Configuring the leaf mesh FortiAPs

The FortiAP units that will serve as leaf nodes must be preconfigured. This involves changing the FortiAP unit internal configuration.You can do this by direct connection or through the FortiGate wireless controller. 89

Configuring a meshed WiFi network

Method 1: Direct connection to the FortiAP

1. Connect a computer to the FortiAP unit’s Ethernet port. Configure the computer’s IP as 192.168.1.3.
2. Telnet to 192.168.1.2. Login as admin. By default, no password is set.
3. Enter the following commands, substituting your own SSID and password (pre-shared key):

cfg -a MESH_AP_TYPE=1 cfg -a MESH_AP_SSID=fortinet.mesh.root cfg -a MESH_AP_PASSWD=hardtoguess

cfg -c exit

4. Disconnect the computer.
5. Power down the FortiAP.
6. Repeat the preceding steps for each branch FortiAP.

Method 2: Connecting through the FortiGate unit

1. Connect the branch FortiAP unit’s Ethernet port to the FortiGate network interface that you configured for FortiAPs. Connect the FortiAP unit to a power source unless POE is used.
2. Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > Managed FortiAPs.

If the FortiAP unit is not listed, wait 15 seconds and select Refresh. Repeat if necessary. If the unit is still missing after a minute or two, power cycle the FortiAP unit and try again.

3. Select the discovered FortiAP unit and authorize it. Click Refresh every 10 seconds until the State indicator is green.
4. Right-click the FortiAP and select >_Connect to CLI. The CLI Console window opens. Log in as “admin”.
5. Enter the following commands, substituting your own SSID and password (pre-shared key):

cfg -a MESH_AP_TYPE=1 cfg -a MESH_AP_SSID=fortinet.mesh.root cfg -a MESH_AP_PASSWD=hardtoguess

cfg -c exit

6. Disconnect the branch FortiAP and delete it from the Managed FortiAP list.
7. Repeat the preceding steps for each branch FortiAP.

Authorizing leaf APs

When the root FortiAP is connected and online, apply power to the pre-configured leaf FortiAPs. The leaf FortiAPs will connect themselves wirelessly to the WiFi Controller through the mesh network. You must authorize each unit.

1. Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > Managed FortiAPs. Periodically select Refresh until the FortiAP unit is listed. This can take up to three minutes.

The State of the FortiAP unit should be Waiting for Authorization.

2. Right-click the FortiAP entry and choose your profile from the Assign Profile
3. Right-click the FortiAP entry and select Authorize.

Initially, the State of the FortiAP unit is Offline. Periodically click Refresh to update the status. Within about two minutes, the state changes to Online.

Configuring a point-to-point bridge

Creating security policies

You need to create security policies to permit traffic to flow from the end-user WiFi network to the network interfaces for the Internet and other networks. Enable NAT.

Viewing the status of the mesh network

Go to WiFi & Switch Controller > Managed FortiAPs to view the list of APs.

The Connected Via field lists the IP address of each FortiAP and uses icons to show whether the FortiAP is connected by Ethernet or Mesh.

Ethernet

Mesh

If you mouse over the Connected Via information, a topology displays, showing how the FortiGate wireless controller connects to the FortiAP.

Configuring a point-to-point bridge

You can create a point-to-point bridge to connect two wired network segments using a WiFi link. The effect is the same as connecting the two network segments to the same wired switch.

You need to:

Configuring a point-to-point bridge

l Configure a backhaul link and root mesh AP as described in Configuring a point-to-point bridge on page 91.

Note: The root mesh AP for a point-to-point bridge must be a FortiAP unit, not the internal AP of a FortiWiFi unit. l Configure bridging on the leaf AP unit.

To configure the leaf AP unit for bridged operation – FortiAP web-based manager

1. With your browser, connect to the FortiAP unit web-based manager.

You can temporarily connect to the unit’s Ethernet port and use its default address: 192.168.1.2.

2. Enter:

Operation Mode	Mesh
Mesh AP SSID	fortinet-ap
Mesh AP Password	fortinet
Ethernet Bridge	Select

3. Select Apply.
4. Connect the local wired network to the Ethernet port on the FortiAP unit.

Users are assigned IP addresses from the DHCP server on the wired network connected to the root mesh AP unit.

To configure a FortiAP unit as a leaf AP – FortiAP CLI

cfg -a MESH_AP_SSID=fortinet-ap cfg -a MESH_AP_PASSWD=fortinet cfg -a MESH_ETH_BRIDGE=1 cfg -a MESH_AP_TYPE=1 cfg -c

 

Having trouble configuring your Fortinet hardware or have some questions you need answered? Check Out The Fortinet Guru Youtube Channel! Want someone else to deal with it for you? Get some consulting from Fortinet GURU!