Managing wireless networks in an enterprise is not always easy. But those who rely on Sophos access points know they can benefit from a central management console. However, as is often the case with Sophos, they don’t just offer a solution to fill a need. In exactly the same way, when it comes to wireless, you have three different ways to get a handle on your wireless networks.<\/p>\n\n
In this blog post, I will briefly present the three<\/strong> most current solutions and hope to make your decision a little easier.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
1. Sophos UTM + Wireless<\/h2>\n\n
The first option requires the Sophos UTM operating system<\/strong> as a foundation. If you want to keep things simple, you can buy a Sophos SG appliance<\/a> with a Sophos Wireless Protection<\/strong> license. However, if you prefer to use your own hardware or a virtualized version of the UTM, you will need the UTM software with a wireless protection license.<\/p>\n\n
Once you have installed the wireless protection<\/strong> license, you can start using the Sophos access points right away. The following models are supported:<\/p>\n\n
- Older models<\/strong>: AP10, AP30, AP50<\/li>
- Current models<\/strong>: – AP 15, AP 15c, AP 55, AP 55c, AP 100, AP 100c, AP 100x<\/li><\/ul>\n\n
2. sophos XG + wireless<\/h2>\n\n
When Sophos introduced the XG series with the new in <\/a>November 2015, it automatically provided another way to manage wireless networks. The Sophos Firewall OS<\/strong> serves as the basis here. Here, too, you either buy a suitable XG appliance from Sophos or rely on your own hardware. However, this then requires the XG software.<\/p>\n\n
The advantage with the XG series is that the wireless license is included for free, unlike the UTM series.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
The following access points are supported:<\/p>\n\n
- Older models<\/strong>: AP10, AP30, AP50<\/li>
- Current models<\/strong>: – AP 15, AP 15c, AP 55, AP 55c, AP 100, AP 100c, AP 100x, APX 120<\/a>, APX 320<\/a>, APX 530<\/a>, APX 740<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n
3. Sophos Central + Wireless<\/h2>\n\n
The latest solution of all offers the management of Sophos access points via Sophos Central<\/strong>. We have also presented this solution in a recent blog post<\/a>. Integration with Sophos Central eliminates the need for an SG or XG appliance. All you need is access to Sophos Central and the corresponding Sophos Wireless license<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
With this solution, however, it is important to note that Sophos Central only supports the latest Sophos access points<\/strong>: AP 15, AP 15c, AP 55, AP 55c, AP 100, AP 100c, AP 100x, APX 120<\/a>, APX 320<\/a>, APX 530<\/a>, APX 740<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n