Fortinet FortiAP U421EV
802.11ac Wave 2 4x4 MU-MIMO Universal Access Point With Dual Radios, Internal Antennas

Deployments:

Fortinet Universal access points are designed to support a variety of deployments from small sites, to medium to large offices, schools, universities, hospitals, hotels, and large retail stores. The Universal access points can serve such a wide range of applications because they can be managed by any of Fortinet’s control and management offerings: FortiGate, FortiWLC, and FortiCloud.

Education

The Education sector is at rising risk from cyber attacks. This in conjunction with requirements to protect minors from inappropriate materials can make deploying wireless a challenge. Our integrated secure wireless controller (FortiGate) ensures secure student access to learning resources while FortiGuard services provides cybersecurity protection.

Healthcare

Patient safety is priority one. Fortinet Universal APs empower hospitals to improve patient safety by enabling life-critical applications such as telemetry requiring low bandwidth but exceptionally high reliability. Our dedicated wireless controllers (FortiWLC) connected to our Universal access points ensures patient safety remains paramount, while providing improved performance for wireless enabled medical devices.

Small/Medium Business

Retailers can streamline WiFi store deployments through the combination of Universal APs and FortiCloud management. This, in combination with FortiDeploy for zero-touch provisioning and deployment offers a cost effective solution for retail IT.

Specifications:

	FortiAP U421EV	FortiAP U423EV
Hardware
Hardware Type	Indoor Universal AP	Indoor Universal AP
Number of Radios	2	2
Number of Antennas	9 Internal (8 WiFi + 1 Bluetooth/BLE)	8 RP-SMA External and 1 Bluetooth/BLE Internal
Peak Antenna Gain	4 dBi for 2.4 GHz, 5 dBi for 5 GHz	3 dBi for 2.4 GHz, 3 dBi for 5 GHz
Frequency Bands (GHz) *	2.400–2.4835, 5.150–5.250, 5.250–5.350, 5.470–5.725, 5.725–5.850	2.400–2.4835, 5.150–5.250, 5.250–5.350, 5.470–5.725, 5.725–5.851
Frequency of Radio 1	2.4 GHz b/g/n 20/40 MHz (64 QAM)	2.4 GHz b/g/n 20/40 MHz (64 QAM)
Frequency of Radio 2	5 GHz a/n/ac 20/40/80/160 MHz (256 QAM)	5 GHz a/n/ac 20/40/80/160 MHz (256 QAM)
Maximum Data Rate	Radio 1: up to 800 Mbps Radio 2: up to 3.46 Gbps	Radio 1: up to 800 Mbps Radio 2: up to 3.46 Gbps
Radio Chains / Streams	4x4 / 4 spatial streams	4x4 / 4 spatial streams
Bluetooth Low Energy (BT/BLE) Radio	4 dBm Transmit Power (class 2) -94 dBm Receive Sensitivity	4 dBm Transmit Power (class 2) -94dBm Receive Sensitivity
Ethernet Ports	2x GE RJ45, LLDP	2x GE RJ45, LLDP
USB Port	1x Type A	1x Type A
Serial Console Port	1 RS-232 x RJ45	1 RS-232 x RJ45
Power over Ethernet (PoE)	Dual redundant PoE power ports with support for IEEE 802.3at (2x2 @ 17 dBm with 802.3af; USB disabled)	Dual redundant PoE power ports with support for IEEE 802.3at (2x2 @ 17 dBm with 802.3af; USB disabled)
Simultaneous SSIDs	Up to 16 (14 if background scanning enabled)	16 (14 if background scanning enabled)
EAP Type(s)	EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS/MSCHAPv2, EAPv0/EAP-MSCHAPv2, PEAPv1/EAP-GTC EAP-SIM, EAP-AKA, EAP-FAST	EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS/MSCHAPv2, EAPv0/EAP-MSCHAPv2, PEAPv1/EAP-GTC EAP-SIM, EAP-AKA, EAP-FAST
User/Device Authentication	WPA and WPA2 with 802.1x or Preshared key, WEP and Web Captive Portal, MAC blacklist & whitelist	WPA and WPA2 with 802.1x or Preshared key, WEP and Web Captive Portal, MAC blacklist & whitelist
Maximum Tx Power	2.4 GHz band – 22.0 dBm* 5.0 GHz band – 20.0 dBm*	2.4 GHz band – 22.0 dBm* 5.0 GHz band – 20.0 dBm*
Physical Security	Kensington Lock	Kensington Lock
IEEE Standards	802.11a, 802.11ac, 802.11b, 802.11d, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11h, 802.11i, 802.11j, 802.11n, 802.1x, 802.3af, 802.3at, 802.3az	802.11a, 802.11ac, 802.11b, 802.11d, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11h, 802.11i, 802.11j, 802.11n, 802.1x, 802.3af, 802.3at, 802.3az
FortiPresence Capable	Yes, when managed by controller	Yes, when managed by controller
Wireless Mesh Capable	Yes	Yes
Modes of Operation	WLC 8.2 (min.), FortiGate, (FortiCloud – Future)	WLC 8.2 (min.), FortiGate, (FortiCloud – Future)
SSID Types Supported	Local-Bridge, Tunnel & Mesh (when managed by controller)	Local-Bridge, Tunnel & Mesh (when managed by controller)
Concurrent Clients Per Radio (Maximum / Recommended)	Up to 256 / Dependent on use case	Up to 256 / Dependent on use case
LED Off Mode	Yes	Yes
Advanced 802.11 Features
802.11ac MU-MIMO Wave 2	Yes	Yes
Transmit Beam Forming (TxBF)	Yes	Yes
Low-Density Parity Check (LDPC) Encoding	Yes	Yes
Maximum Likelihood Demodulation (MLD)	Yes	Yes
Maximum Ratio Combining (MRC)	Yes	Yes
A-MPDU and A-MSDU Packet Aggregation	Yes	Yes
MIMO Power Save	Yes	Yes
Short Guard Interval	Yes	Yes
WME Multimedia Extensions	Yes (4 priority queues for voice, video, data and background traffic)	Yes (4 priority queues for voice, video, data and background traffic)
Wireless Monitoring Capabilities
Frequencies Scanned	2.4 and 5 GHz	2.4 and 5 GHz
Background Scan with Client Access on 2.4 and 5 GHz	Yes	Yes
Full-time Scan as Dedicated Monitor	Yes	Yes
Full-time Scan with Client Access	No	No
Packet Sniffer Mode	Yes	Yes
Spectrum Analyzer	Yes — Dedicated chipset	Yes — Dedicated chipset
	FortiAP U421EV	FortiAP U423EV
Dimensions
Length x Width x Height (inches)	8.46 x 8.46 x 2.2	8.46 x 8.46 x 2.2
Length x Width x Height (mm)	215 x 215 x 56	215 x 215 x 56
Weight	3.31 lb (1.5 kg)	3.4 lb (1.53 kg)
Package (shipping) Weight	5.09 lb (2.31 kg)	5.36 lb (2.43 kg)
Mounting Options	Ceiling, T-Rail and Wall	Ceiling, T-Rail and Wall
Included Accessories	Ceiling, T-Rail and wall mount kit (AC power adapter sold separately)	Ceiling, T-Rail and wall mount kit and 8 dipole antennas (AC power adapter sold separately)
Environment
Power Supply	Adapter input: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz, 0.9A Max output: 12V DC, 3A	Adapter input: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz, 0.9A Max output: 12V DC, 3A
Power Consumption (Maximum)	24.58 W	24.58 W
Humidity	5–90% non condensing	5–90% non condensing
Operating Temperature	-4–122˚F (-20–50˚C)	-4–122˚F (-20–50˚C)
Storage Temperature	-40–158°F (-40–70°C)	-40–158°F (-40–70°C)
Directives	Low Voltage Directive • RoHS	Low Voltage Directive • RoHS
UL2043 Plenum Material	Yes	Yes
Mean Time Between Failures	>30 Years	>30 Years
Hit-less PoE Failover	Yes	Yes
Certifications
Safety - FCC	FCC Part 15 Subpart B (Class B), Subpart C and Subpart E	FCC Part 15 Subpart B (Class B), Subpart C and Subpart E
Safety - UL	UL 609550-1, UL 2043, CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1	UL 609550-1, UL 2043, CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1
Safety - CB	IEC 60950-1	IEC 60950-1
RF - IC	RSS-210, RSS-GEN, RSS-102, ICES-003	RSS-210, RSS-GEN, RSS-102, ICES-003
Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty	Yes	Yes

* Frequency selection and power may be restricted to abide by regional regulatory compliance laws.

RF RX/TX Performance Table:

	Radio 1		Radio 2
802.11 a/g	2.4 GHz Tx Power (dBm)	2.4 GHz Rx Sensitivity (dBm)	5 GHz Tx Power (dBm)	5 GHz Rx Sensitivity (dBm)
6 Mbps	22	-94	20	-90
9 Mbps	22	-92	20	-89
12 Mbps	22	-89	20	-86
18 Mbps	22	-88	20	-85
24 Mbps	22	-83	20	-80
36 Mbps	22	-78	19	-75
48 Mbps	22	-77	19	-74
54 Mbps	19	-76	18	-73
802.11 HT20
MSC 0/8/16 (BPSK)	22	-91	20	-89
MSC 1/9/17 (QPSK)	21	-89	19	-87
MSC 2/10/18 (QPSK)	20	-86	19	-84
MSC 3/11/19 (16-QAM)	19	-85	18	-83
MSC 4/12/20 (16-QAM)	19	-80	17	-78
MSC 5/13/21 (64-QAM)	18	-75	17	-73
MSC 6/14/22 (64-QAM)	18	-74	17	-72
MSC 7/15/23 (64-QAM)	18	-73	17	-71
802.11 HT40
MSC 0/8/16 (BPSK)	21	-89	20	-86
MSC 1/9/17 (QPSK)	20	-87	19	-84
MSC 2/10/18 (QPSK)	20	-84	19	-81
MSC 3/11/19 (16-QAM)	19	-83	18	-80
MSC 4/12/20 (16-QAM)	19	-78	18	-75
MSC 5/13/21 (64-QAM)	18	-73	17	-70
MSC 6/14/22 (64-QAM)	18	-72	17	-69
MSC 7/15/23 (64-QAM)	18	-71	17	-68
MSC 8/16/24 (256-QAM)	-	-	14	-65
MSC 9/17/25 (256-QAM)	-	-	14	-63
802.11 HT80
MSC 0 (BPSK)	-	-	18	-83
MSC 1 (QPSK)	-	-	17	-80
MSC 2 (QPSK)	-	-	17	-78
MSC 3 (16-QAM)	-	-	16	-75
MSC 4 (16-QAM)	-	-	16	-73
MSC 5 (64-QAM)	-	-	15	-72
MSC 6 (64-QAM)	-	-	15	-70
MSC 7 (64-QAM)	-	-	15	-69
MSC 8 (256-QAM)	-	-	15	-65
MSC 9 (256-QAM)	-	-	15	-59

Maximum capability of the Hardware provided (Exenculding antenna gain)

Antenna Radiation Patterns:

Performance Matrix:

802.11ac Performance — Data Rates (Mbps)
Descriptor	Data Streams	VHT20 Normal GI	VHT20 Short GI	VHT40 Normal GI	VHT40 Short GI	VHT80 Normal GI	VHT80 Short GI	VH160 Normal GI	VH160 Short GI
MCS 0	1	6.5	7.2	13.5	15	29.3	32.5	58.6	65
MCS 1	1	13	14.4	27	30	58.5	65	117	130
MCS 2	1	19.5	21.7	40.5	45	87.8	97.5	175.6	195
MCS 3	1	26	28.9	54	60	117	130	234	260
MCS 4	1	39	43.3	81	90	175.5	195	351	390
MCS 5	1	52	57.8	108	120	234	260	468	520
MCS 6	1	58.5	65	121.5	135	263.3	292.5	526.6	585
MCS 7	1	65	72.2	135	150	292.5	325	585	650
MCS 8	1	78	86.7	162	180	351	390	702	780
MCS 9	1	NA	NA	180	200	390	433.3	780	866.6
MCS 0	2	13	14.4	27	30	58.5	65	117	130
MCS 1	2	26	28.9	54	60	117	130	234	260
MCS 2	2	39	43.3	81	90	175.5	195	351	390
MCS 3	2	52	57.8	108	120	234	260	468	520
MCS 4	2	78	86.7	162	180	351	390	702	780
MCS 5	2	104	115.6	216	240	468	520	936	1040
MCS 6	2	117	130	243	270	526.5	585	1053	1170
MCS 7	2	130	144.4	270	300	585	650	1170	1300
MCS 8	2	156	173.3	324	360	702	780	1404	1560
MCS 9	2	NA	NA	360	400	780	866.7	1560	1733.4
MCS 0	3	19.5	21.7	40.5	45	87.8	97.5	175.6	195
MCS 1	3	39	43.3	81	90	175.5	195	351	390
MCS 2	3	58.5	65	121.5	135	263.3	292.5	526.5	585
MCS 3	3	78	86.7	162	180	351	390	702	780
MCS 4	3	117	130	243	270	526.5	585	1053	1170
MCS 5	3	156	173.3	324	360	702	780	1404	1560
MCS 6	3	175.5	195	364.5	405	NA	NA	NA	NA
MCS 7	3	195	216.7	405	450	877.5	975	1755	1950
MCS 8	3	234	260	486	540	1053	1170	2106	2340
MCS 9	3	260	288.9	540	600	1170	1300	NA	NA
MCS 0	4	26	28.9	54	60	117	130	234	260
MCS 1	4	52	57.8	108	120	234	260	468	520
MCS 2	4	78	86.7	162	180	351	390	702	780
MCS 3	4	104	115.6	216	240	468	520	936	1040
MCS 4	4	156	173.3	324	360	702	780	1404	1560
MCS 5	4	208	231.1	432	480	936	1040	1872	2080
MCS 6	4	234	260	486	540	1053	1170	2106	2340
MCS 7	4	260	288.9	540	600	1170	1300	2340	2600
MCS 8	4	312	346.7	648	720	1404	1560	2808	3120
MCS 9	4	NA	NA	720	800	1560	1733.3	3120	3466.6

Documentation:

Download the Fortinet FortiAP Universal Access Points Datasheet (PDF).