Using Static IPs in a CAPWAP Configuration – FortiOS 5.2 Best Practices

Using static IPs in a CAPWAP configuration

In a large FortiAP deployment with more than 20 FortiAPs connecting to a Fortigate Wireless Controller (AC), it is recommended to use static IPs on the access points instead of DHCP, setting the AC IP statically and the AC discovery type to static (Type 1), instead of learning it through broadcast, multicast, or DHCP.

This makes management of the APs easier since you know the exact IP of each access point. Troubleshooting also becomes easier as the debug of the AC controller won’t continuously attempt the different discovery methods in sequence (broadcast > multicast > static).


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About Mike

Michael Pruett, CISSP has a wide range of cyber-security and network engineering expertise. The plethora of vendors that resell hardware but have zero engineering knowledge resulting in the wrong hardware or configuration being deployed is a major pet peeve of Michael's. This site was started in an effort to spread information while providing the option of quality consulting services at a much lower price than Fortinet Professional Services. Owns PacketLlama.Com (Fortinet Hardware Sales) and Office Of The CISO, LLC (Cybersecurity consulting firm).

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