APX 320/530/740 1 Operating Instructions Foreword We are pleased to welcome you as a new Sophos APX Series customer. Sophos APX Series access points are high performance wireless products using the latest 802.11ac Wave 2 technology for a best-in-class user experience. The APX Series models can be easily managed in Sophos Central, our cloud-based. Optional mounting kits are available for the indoor APX 320, APX 530, and APX 740 for flat-ceiling, plenum, or suspend mount. Check with your local Sophos partner for further details and pricing. Antenna Options for APX 320X.
The APX 320X is a dual-radio., 2×2 MIMO device supporting the 802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi standard (Wi-Fi 5).
The APX 320X outdoor access point will be launching for Sophos Central management in the next few days. Software staging is planned to complete by September 21 and therefore, the first customer shipment will align with that date.
This new model will be supported in Sophos Central only for the time being. Any customer using XG or SG UTM can continue to purchase the AP 100X for outdoor use until we add support for the APX 320X on those platforms next year.
There are some important things that you need to understand about regulations in some regions (Europe, ANZ, S. Africa and more) that prohibit the use of some 5 GHz Wi-Fi channels in outdoor environments and so prevent the use of one of the radios (full explanation below).
Product Highlights: APX 320X
The APX 320X is a dual-radio*, 2×2 MIMO device supporting the 802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi standard (Wi-Fi 5). Built upon the same architecture as the APX 320, but with modifications such as a different housing to meet the IP67 rating, withstand a broader temperature range (-40°C/-40°F to 55°C/130°F), plus external antenna options, this model opens up some interesting new usage scenarios in outdoor and more exposed areas.
As with all APX models, it comes with a 5-year warranty and Advance Replacement RMA in combination with the Central Wireless Standard (for APX) subscription.
- 40% lower price than the AP 100X
- DACH/NA pricing: USD/EUR 750 MSRP vs. USD/EUR 1245
- 120° Sector/30° Directional antenna options
- Potential to address new use cases
- Completes the legacy AP replacement line-up
- AP 100X is still available for SG UTM/XG management
Software Support
- Cloud Management:
- Sophos Wireless v2.3.1-4 (Sophos Central)
- On-premises: Not yet available
- XG Firewall: 2021 – date and release TBC
- SG UTM: 2021 – date and release TBC
Antenna Types
For the first time, in addition to the omni-directional antennas supplied with the unit, we are also offering external antenna options to meet the requirements of some new usage scenarios. Both options, which are available for separate purchase, provide focused coverage for a specific area.
As the name suggests, the standard omni-directional antennas are designed to provide relatively even coverage around the unit in all directions. These are suitable for usage scenarios where the connecting clients will be distributed around the access point, but particularly in some outdoor areas, there may be obstructions which can interfere with the signal and cause signal wastage.
The simple way to understand a directional antenna is to compare it with a flashlight on which you can adjust the beam. The standard setting provides a wide beam over a shorter distance (more like the omni-directional antennas). If you select a narrower beam, the light can extend further and is more focused. With directional/sector antennas you achieve targeted, better coverage at an extended range and reduce signal wastage.
The characteristics and typical use cases for each antenna are shown below.
| ANTENNA TYPE | TYPICAL USE CASE | CHARACTERISTICS |
| Omni-directional (default) |
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| 30° Directional Antenna |
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| 120° Sector Antenna |
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Important Information for Europe, ANZ, South Africa and Other Countries
A list of countries where this model will function as a single radio device in outdoor environments is included in this KB Article LIST OF AFFECTED COUNTRIES (note: this list may be extended if we become aware of further countries)
*Single Radio Use Due to Regulatory Restrictions
Short, non-technical explanation:
If you’re in any of the countries listed here, you can only use this model as a single radio device to broadcast EITHER 2.4 GHz OR 5 GHz (on Radio-0). The other radio (Radio-1) will not be available for configuration due to regulatory restrictions. Additionally, in Israel you will only be able to use 2.4 GHz channels as all 5 GHz channels are prohibited for outdoor use.
Detailed Explanation:
This model includes two radios:
- Radio-0: a dual-band radio (Radio-0) which can broadcast either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz (high band channels)
- Radio-1: a single-band radio for 5 GHz (low band channels only).
The architecture design to support dual 5 GHz mode, means that the lower band 5 GHz channels are broadcast on the single-band radio (Radio-1) and the higher band 5 GHz channels are broadcast on the dual-band radio (Radio-0).
Within the 5 GHz spectrum, channels 100-140 use Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) to avoid interference with radars. The regulations in a number of regions stipulate that only DFS channels can be used in outdoor environments where radar activity is more likely to be detected. This means that the single band 5 GHz Radio-1, which can broadcast only the lower band channels, can’t be used in countries where such a regulation exists.
This is what the configuration will look like in Europe, ANZ, South Africa anda number of other regions:
In any country not listed, both radios are available for configuration and the full capability of the APX 320X can be used including dual-band mode (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz simultaneously) and dual 5 GHz mode (5 GHz channels distributed over both radios for better performance in higher density environments (more clients can connect at the same time).
This would be the configuration in countries such as Canada, the USA and any others not affected by the regulations:
Please also bear in mind that your customers may have locations distributed across multiple countries in which the above restrictions may (or may not) apply.
Ordering
The APX 320X is already on the current price list for regions where certified. The SKUs will be active for quoting and ordering through your local distributor in time for GA.
Further Information
All sales collateral will be updated and published on the Partner Portal in the coming days leading up to the GA date.
A few items are already available to allow you to familiarize yourself with the product details before launch.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your local Sophos contact or distributor.
Sophos APX Series access points are now supported on every platform: Sophos Central, XG Firewall, and Sophos SG UTM (from v9.7). With our latest generation of access points, you can offer an attractive replacement for every one of our legacy AP Series indoor models. You can learn more about the benefits of the APX Series in this Partner Portal blog post. Please note that all APX Series access points have a five-year warranty.
Last month we sent an email to all partners who have sold any AP Series model to give advance notice of the final order (End-of-Sale) date for the current indoor AP Series models and the subsequent lifecycle milestones.
All platforms allow you to manage all current AP and APX Series in a mixed environment. This means that your customers who have only recently purchased their AP Series access points are under no pressure to upgrade straight away. They can simply add newer APX models as they extend or make changes to their deployment. Our lifecycle plan gives you sufficient time to plan a gradual transition to the APX Series with your customers over a three-year period.
Why are we starting the End-of-Life process for the AP Series?
Wireless technology and standards are constantly evolving. The use of Wi-Fi in most environments has increased considerably over the past five-plus years, predominantly due to the number of mobile and other Wi-Fi connected devices now available. The majority of the current AP Series models have been in the Sophos portfolio since 2015 (the AP 100 since 2014) and these models do not support the most commonly used Wi-Fi standards available today. Newer standards, such as 802.11ac Wave 2 (which is still the most commonly used standard in business environments) include technology innovations to offer better performance, even when a larger number of clients are connected simultaneously. They are also built to handle the applications more commonly used today, such as voice and video, and so provide a better user experience.
Which models are affected?
| Model / SKU | End-of-Sale | End-of -Support | End-of-Life | APX Alternative |
| AP 15 | March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2021 | March 31, 2023 | APX 120 |
| AP 15C | March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2021 | March 31, 2023 | APX 120 |
| AP 55 | March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2021 | March 31, 2023 | APX 320* |
| AP 55C | March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2021 | March 31, 2023 | APX 320* |
| AP 100 | March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2021 | March 31, 2023 | APX 530 (or APX 740) |
| AP 100C | March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2021 | March 31, 2023 | APX 530 (or APX 740) |
* Under some circumstances, the dual-radio APX 120 may be a viable, lower-cost alternative.
What will these dates mean for your customers?
We have made every effort to provide advance notice and therefore make the transition as easy as possible and avoid any disruption for your customers. We will continue to process RMAs for all customers with a valid support contract (e.g. as part of their subscription) until the End-of Life date.
The lifecycle milestones are described in detail below.
End-of-Sale: March 31, 2020
The AP Series models mentioned below will no longer be sold by Sophos:
- Indoor only: AP 15, AP 15C, AP 55, AP 55C, AP 100, AP 100C
Software SKUs for the following subscriptions can no longer be ordered:
- Central Wireless Standard – Entry
- Central Wireless Standard – Performance (unless for AP 100X)
After this date the product:
Sophos Apx 320 Review
- will not receive any new features
- will receive only critical security patches and bug fixes but only until March 31, 2021
- Will not be supported by any new hardware models released after this date
Your access point will continue to operate as normal.
End-of-Support: March 31, 2021
After this date:
- Sophos will process RMAs but no longer offer support
- The affected AP models will no longer receive any software updates or bug fixes of any kind
- APs will continue to operate on the last supported firmware version
RMAs: Will be processed for any AP Series model with a valid warranty or support license (if the same model is not available, an equivalent model will be supplied as a replacement).
Support: Technical support is no longer provided. Hotline calls will only be accepted for RMA processing.
Sophos Apx 320
End-of-Life: March 31, 2023
From this date, management support for the above-mentioned AP Series models will no longer be included in new software releases for Sophos Central Wireless, XG Firewall (SFOS), and SG UTM.
Please reach out to your local Sophos sales team before this date to discuss the hardware refresh options for your customers to ensure a smooth transition to newer technology.
What about the AP 100X?
Please note that the AP 100X outdoor model is not affected by this announcement and will continue to be sold until an equivalent APX model is available (in early May 2020) and the support dates on all platforms are clear.
What about older AP Series access points?
Should any of your customers still be using the much older AP Series access points, such as the AP 5, AP 10, AP 30, and AP 50 with either Sophos UTM or XG Firewall, those models have already been End-of-Life since at least 2018, and therefore management support cannot be guaranteed for those models on any platform. By using End-of-Life hardware, your customers may be risking interruptions in the correct functioning of their Wi-Fi network or their connectivity as a whole. In some scenarios, this could also affect their compliance status. We would request that all partners work with these customers to refresh their access points to models which are still supported.
What should I do with End-of-Life hardware?
After the End-of-Life of any hardware device, Sophos suggests that you dispose of the unit responsibly and in accordance with the environmental requirements in your region.
Who can I contact to get more help?
Sophos Apx 320
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your local Sophos team. They can help you to find the optimal plan for a managed lifecycle for your customers’ hardware.