Sophos AP6 420X User manual

Operating Instructions
AP6 420X

Operating Instructions
1AP6 420X
Foreward
We are pleased to welcome you as a new Sophos AP6 Series customer.
Sophos AP6 Series access points are high performance wireless products using the
latest 802.11ax technology for a best-in-class user experience. The AP6 Series models
can be easily managed in Sophos Central, our cloud-based security management
platform. All you need to do is set up a Sophos Central account and plug in the device
anywhere in your network. The access point will find the cloud-based controller
automatically and become operable within seconds.
These operating instructions will help you set up your Sophos Central account, install
and configure your Sophos AP6 Series access point and also provide detailed technical
specifications. In addition, please also see the following documents that contain useful
information on safety, regulatory compliance, and configuration options:
ÌSophos AP6 Series Safety Instructions and Regulatory Information
ÌSophos AP6 420X Quick Start Guide
The instructions must be read carefully prior to using the device and should be kept in a
safe place. You can download all user manuals and additional documentation from the
Sophos Knowledgebase under www.sophos.com/en-us/support/knowledgebase.aspx or
from www.sophos.com/get-started-ap.
Security symbols
The following symbol and its meaning appears in the Quick Start Guide, Safety
Instructions and in these Operating Instructions.
Caution and Important Note. If these notes are not correctly observed:
ÌThis is dangerous to life and the environment
ÌThe access point may be damaged
ÌThe functions of the access point will be no longer guaranteed
ÌSophos shall not be liable for damages arising from a
failure to comply with the Safety Instructions
Designed use
The access point must be installed pursuant to the current installation notes. Otherwise
failure-free and safe operation cannot be guaranteed. The EU declaration of conformity is
available upon request from the following address:
Sophos Technology GmbH
Gustav-Stresemann-Ring 1
65189 Wiesbaden
Germany
It is also available online:
https://docs.sophos.com/nsg/other/RegulatoryCompliance/en-us/index.html

Operating Instructions
2AP6 420X
Operating elements and connections
N type connector for
2.4/5 GHz antenna
(Radio 1)
N type connector for
2.4/5 GHz antenna
(Radio 0)
N type connector for
2.4/5 GHz antenna
(Radio 1)
N type connector for
2.4/5 GHz antenna
(Radio 0)
Forge posts for
mounting plate
connection
Gore
vent
LEDRJ45
connector/
Reset button
Grounding wire
connector
Component descriptions
Component Description
Status LED Indicates the operational state of your access point such as boot status,
firmware updates and error states. For details, see table “LED Status” below.
Radio LED Indicates the radio mode your access point is currently
operating in. For details, see table “LED Status” below.
Mesh LED Indicates whether the access point has Mesh activated.
RJ45 connector Primary Ethernet port to connect your access point to your network. The
Ethernet port is 100/1000/2500 Mbps compatible and auto-negotiate to
the speed and half- and full-duplex of the connecting device. This port needs
to be connected to a PoE capable source (PoE Injector or PoE switch) to
power your access point. There is no dedicated DC power source available.
Sophos offers suitable PoE injectors for purchase as an optional accessory.
Reset button Allows you to reboot the device and reset its configuration to the
factory default. For details, please see section “Reboot & Reset”.
Gore Vent Prevents excessive heat build-up inside the product
while still preventing moisture entry.
Grounding Wire Connector Used for permanently connecting the AP6 to earth ground to adequately
ground the chassis and protect the operator from electrical hazards.
N Type connector Used for connecting the standard Omni- or optional Sector/Directional antennas
Forge posts Used for connecting the mounting bracket.

Operating Instructions
3AP6 420X
LEDs
Status Radio Mesh
Off Off Off AP is off or reboot started.
Flashing Green Off Off AP is booting and applying configuration*.
Flashing Green Flashing Green Off Configuration reset in progress*.
Flashing Green Flashing Green Flashing Green Reset button pressed, AP preparing
configuration reset.
Flashing Fast Green Off Off Firmware update in progress**.
Solid Green Off Off or Solid Green AP is operating in Single-Band.
Solid Green Green Off or Solid Green AP is operating in Dual-Band.
* Your AP should recover from this state after a maximum of 5 minutes.
** Note: Do not disconnect from power, nor reboot or reset the device. When the device connects to Sophos Central
for the first time, it might take up to 15 minutes to update firmware.
IMPORTANT: LED behavior might change with new updates in Firmware. For latest Quick
Start Guide, please visit https://www.sophos.com/get-started-ap.
Connection and configuration
Your access point can be managed in Sophos Central. The initial connection of your
access point to your network is described in the AP6 Quick Start Guide which was
shipped with your device or is available under www.sophos.com/get-started-ap.
For the access point to communicate with Sophos Central servers the following ports will
need to be open on your firewall:
Ì443 (HTTPS)
Ì80 (HTTP)
Ì123 (NTP)
After successful connection you can start your initial configuration.
Setting up your access point in Sophos Central
You will need a Sophos Central account to manage your access points from Sophos
Central. Please go to https://central.sophos.com to sign in under your account or create a
new account.
After signing in select Wireless from the popup screen or click on Wireless in the left
navigation to get started.
Follow the Onboarding Wizard to register your access point.
For more information, please see the Sophos Central Admin Help.

Operating Instructions
4AP6 420X
Reboot and reset
Your access point can be rebooted with the installed configuration or reset to the factory
default configuration depending on how long you press and hold the reset button.
Reboot with current image and configuration
1. Press reset button.
2. Release reset button.
3. AP reboots (Status LED will go off, then will start blinking after some
seconds and turn to solid green after reboot is complete).
Reboot with current image and clear configuration
1. Press and hold reset button for 5 sec.
2. Status, Radio, and Mesh LEDs will start flashing for 5 sec. You can still cancel
the configuration clearance process by releasing the reset button before the
Mesh LED turns Off. In that case the AP will reboot as described above.
3. After 5 sec. Mesh LED turns off. Status and Radio LEDs continue flashing.
4. Release reset button (configuration will be cleared).
5. AP reboots with factory default settings.
Reset Button
Status LED
If button released
AP will reboot
Pressed
Solid Flashing
5 Sec
If button released AP will reboot
and config will be cleared
Off Off
5 Sec

Operating Instructions
5AP6 420X
Technical specifications
AP6 420X
Environment
Power consumption 25.5W (max.)
Power over Ethernet
(PoE) requirements
802.3at
Operating temperature -20° to 55° C
Storage temperature -40° to 70° C
Humidity 10% to 95% non-condensing
Hazardous substances RoHS-2 and REACH compliant
Physical specification
I/O ports 1x RJ45 100/1000/2500 Mbps Ethernet w/PoE (802.3at)
1x Reset button
1x Kensington security slot
Memory 1 GB DDR3L
4 MB NOR Flash
512 MB NAND Flash
Mounting Wall-mount hang
Pole mount Ceiling
Dimensions
(Width x Depth x Height)
260.5 x 180 x 69 mm (10.26 x 7.09 x 2.72 inches)
Weight 1.6 kg (3.53 lbs)
Wireless specification
Radios 1x 2.4 GHz single band
1x 5 GHz single band
Antennas 4x omni-directional external dual-band antennas for Radio-0 and Radio-1
Antenna Peak Gain 2.7 dBi at 2.4 GHz, 4.8 dBi at 5 GHz
MIMO capabilities 2x2:2
Supported WLAN standards IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
SSIDs 16 (8 per Radio)
Max. Throughput 575 Mbps (2.4 GHz) + 2400 Mbps (5 GHz)

Operating Instructions
6AP6 420X
Performance
Band [MHz] Standard Rate
Tx Max Power
(MHz per chain) [dBm] RSSI [dBm]
2 GHz (2412 – 2483) 802.11b 1Mbps 23 -98
2Mbps 22 -91
5Mbps 21 -92
11Mbps 20 -89
802.11g 6Mbps 23 -95
9Mbps 23 -91
12Mbps 22 -89
18Mbps 22 -87
24Mbps 21 -84
36Mpbs 21 -81
48Mbps 20 -77
54Mbps 20 -76
802.11n MCS0 23 -95
MCS1 23 -92
MCS2 22 -89
MCS3 22 -87
MCS4 21 -83
MCS5 21 -78
MCS6 20 -77
MCS7 19 -76
802.11ax (HE20) MCS0 23 -95
MCS1 23 -92
MCS2 22 -89
MCS3 22 -86
MCS4 21 -83
MCS5 21 -79
MCS6 20 -78
MCS7 19 -76
MCS8 19 -72
MCS9 18 -70
MCS10 17 -67
MCS11 16 -64
802.11ax (HE40) MCS0 23 -92
MCS1 23 -90
MCS2 22 -88
MCS3 22 -85
MCS4 21 -82
MCS5 21 -78
MCS6 20 -75
MCS7 19 -73
MCS8 17 -71
MCS9 17 -68
MCS10 16 -65
MCS11 15 -62

Operating Instructions
7AP6 420X
Performance
5 GHz (5180 – 5825) 802.11a 6Mbps 22 -97
9Mbps 22 -95
12Mbps 22 -92
18Mbps 22 -89
24Mbps 22 -87
36Mbps 22 -84
48Mbps 21 -80
54Mbps 20 -78
802.11n (HT20) MCS0 22 -97
MCS1 22 -94
MCS2 22 -91
MCS3 22 -88
MCS4 21 -86
MCS5 21 -83
MCS6 20 -80
MCS7 19 -78
802.11n (HT40) MCS0 22 -94
MCS1 22 -93
MCS2 22 -89
MCS3 22 -85
MCS4 21 -81
MCS5 21 -79
MCS6 20 -75
MCS7 19 -75
802.11ac (VHT20) MCS0 22 -97
MCS1 22 -94
MCS2 22 -91
MCS3 22 -88
MCS4 21 -86
MCS5 21 -83
MCS6 20 -80
MCS7 19 -78
MCS8 18 -74
802.11ac (VHT40) MCS0 22 -94
MCS1 22 -91
MCS2 22 -88
MCS3 22 -85
MCS4 21 -82
MCS5 21 -78
MCS6 20 -76
MCS7 19 -75
MCS8 18 -72
MCS9 17 -69
802.11ac (VHT80) MCS0 22 -91
MCS1 22 -88
MCS2 22 -85
MCS3 22 -82
MCS4 21 -79
MCS5 21 -78
MCS6 20 -73
MCS7 19 -72
MCS8 18 -69
MCS9 17 -66

Operating Instructions
8AP6 420X
Performance
802.11ax (HE20) MCS0 22 -97
MCS1 22 -94
MCS2 22 -91
MCS3 22 -88
MCS4 21 -86
MCS5 21 -83
MCS6 20 -80
MCS7 19 -78
MCS8 17 -74
MCS9 18 -70
MCS10 16 -68
MCS11 15 -67
802.11ax (HE40) MCS0 22 -94
MCS1 22 -91
MCS2 22 -88
MCS3 22 -85
MCS4 21 -82
MCS5 21 -78
MCS6 20 -76
MCS7 19 -75
MCS8 18 -72
MCS9 17 -69
MCS10 16 -66
MCS11 15 -63
802.11ax (HE80) MCS0 22 -91
MCS1 22 -88
MCS2 22 -85
MCS3 22 -82
MCS4 21 -79
MCS5 21 -75
MCS6 20 -73
MCS7 19 -72
MCS8 18 -69
MCS9 17 -66
MCS10 16 -63
MCS11 15 -61
802.11ax (HE160) MCS0 22 -85
MCS1 22 -81
MCS2 22 -78
MCS3 22 -75
MCS4 21 -72
MCS5 21 -71
MCS6 20 -69
MCS7 19 -68
MCS8 18 -65
MCS9 17 -62
MCS10 16 -59
MCS11 15 -57

Operating Instructions
9AP6 420X
Radiation patterns
2.4 GHz Band
ZX YZ XY
—2400 (MHz) —2450 (MHz) —2500 (MHz)
5 GHz Band
ZX YZ XY
—5150 (MHz) —5325 (MHz) —5500 (MHz) —5675(MHz) —5850 (MHz)

Operating Instructions
10AP6 420X
Optional Sector / Directional Antennas
Technical specifications
Optional Sector/Directional Antennas
120° Sector Antenna
Frequency range 2400~2500 MHz 5150~5850 MHz
Port V-pol./H-pol. V-pol. H-pol.
Antenna Gain 10.6~10.8 dBi/10.0~11.4 dBi 12.5~13.1 dBi/11.6~12.9 dBi
HPBW/Horizontal 76~77 deg/63~66 deg 40~61 deg/52~76 deg
HPBW/Vertical 24~25 deg/26~28 deg 11~13 deg/11~13 deg
Isolation 20 dB
Impedance 50 Ohms
Connector N Jack
Dimensions
(Height x Width x Depth)
320 x 200 x 20.5 mm (12.6 x 7.87 x 0.81 inches)
30° Directional Antenna
Frequency range 2400~2500 MHz 5150~5850 MHz
Port V-pol./H-pol. V-pol./H-pol.
Antenna Gain 11.6~11.8 dBi/ 11.6~12.0 dBi 10.6~11.0 dBi/10.4~11.5 dBi
HPBW/Horizontal 36~37 deg/35~36 deg 33~35 deg/26~36 deg
HPBW/Vertical 34~35 deg/36~38 deg 32~39 deg/30~41 deg
Isolation 20 dB
Impedance 50 Ohms
Connector N Jack
Dimensions
(Height x Width x Depth)
320 x 200 x 20.5 mm (12.6 x 7.87 x 0.81 inches)

Operating Instructions
11AP6 420X
Radiation patterns Sector Antenna – Horizontal Polarization
2.4 GHz Band
H-plane V-plane
—2400 (MHz) —2450 (MHz) —2500 (MHz)
5 GHz Band
H-plane V-plane
—4900 (MHz) —5150 (MHz) —5350 (MHz) —5475 (MHz) —5725 (MHz) —5875 (MHz)

Operating Instructions
12AP6 420X
Radiation patterns Sector Antenna – Vertical Polarization
2.4 GHz Band
H-plane V-plane
—2400 (MHz) —2450 (MHz) —2500 (MHz)
5 GHz Band
H-plane V-plane
—4900 (MHz) —5150 (MHz) —5350 (MHz) —5475 (MHz) —5725 (MHz) —5875 (MHz)

Operating Instructions
13AP6 420X
Radiation patterns Directional Antenna – Horizontal Polarization
2.4 GHz Band
H-plane V-plane
—2400 (MHz) —2450 (MHz) —2500 (MHz)
5 GHz Band
H-plane V-plane
—4900 (MHz) —5150 (MHz) —5350 (MHz) —5475 (MHz) —5725 (MHz) —5875 (MHz)

Operating Instructions
14AP6 420X
Radiation patterns Directional Antenna – Vertical Polarization
2.4 GHz Band
H-plane V-plane
—2400 (MHz) —2450 (MHz) —2500 (MHz)
5 GHz Band
H-plane V-plane
—4900 (MHz) —5150 (MHz) —5350 (MHz) —5475 (MHz) —5725 (MHz) —5875 (MHz)

Operating Instructions
15AP6 420X
Mounting instructions
There are various mounting options available allowing you to hang your access point on
the wall or mount it on a pole. Both options require the use of the mounting bracket which
is shipped with your access point. The following sections provide detailed instructions on
each of these options.
Mounting bracket
Mounting holes
Vertical orientation
mounting clamp slots
Horizontal orientation
mounting clamp slots
Mounting
attachment slots
Mount plate
attachment screw
Wall mount
1. Use the mounting bracket to mark the screw mounting positions on the wall.
2. Attach the access point to the bracket by hanging the 4 forge posts
into the attachment slots of the bracket and pressing it down.
3. Tighten the attachment screw to fix the access point to the bracket.
1.
2. 3.
Tighten the
attachment
screw

Operating Instructions
16AP6 420X
Pole mount
1. Attach the two metal clamps to the back of the mounting bracket using the
vertical or horizontal mounting slots (according to the desired orientation).
2. Hold the bracket against the pole and tighten the metal clamps.
3. Attach the access point to the bracket by hanging the 4 forge posts
into the attachment slots of the bracket and pressing it down.
4. Tighten the attachment screw to fix the access point to the bracket
1. 2.
3.
Tighten the
attachment
screw
4.

Operating Instructions
17AP6 420X
Sector/Directional Antenna Mounting Instructions
1. Attach the articulating mount to the back of the sector/
directional antenna using four of the supplied M6 nuts.
2. Fix the T-form bracket to the pole by using the two supplied stainless steel hose
clamps.
Please note: The clamps can be used for poles of 35-
65 mm (1.5-2.5 inches) diameter.
3. Fix the articulating mount to the T-form bracket by using the
supplied M8x40 bolts, nut, spring washer and washer.
4. Direct the antenna upward or downward (max. angle is 27°) and fix it into place.
1.
27°
27°
Use a No. 12
hexagonal
wrench to lock
the M8 nut.
4.
M8x40 Screw
Bolts
T-form
Bracket
Washer
Spring Washer
M8 Nut
3.
2.

Operating Instructions
18AP6 420X
Connect the Sector/Directional Antenna to the Access Point
Connect the antenna to your AP6 420X access point by using the supplied cables. You
can use your sector/directional antenna either in combination with the standard omni-
directional antennas or with another sector/directional antenna.
Choose the appropriate connection for the scenario which best fits your use case - as
shown in the table below.
Scenario 2.4 GHz Band (Top) 5 GHz Band (Bottom)
aSector / Directional Sector / Directional
bSector / Directional Omni
cOmni Sector / Directional
a. b. c.
Configure Sector / Directional Antenna Software Settings
Once the external antenna is connected, please select the corresponding antenna
settings in your Sophos Central Wireless admin account. Once selected and the
configuration synched, the AP reboots and the correct power values will be set.
WARNING: Failure to configure the correct antenna settings may place the AP outside
of regulatory limits. The administrator is responsible for ensuring this configuration is
correct.

Operating Instructions AP6 420X
United Kingdom and Worldwide Sales
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
North American Sales
Toll Free: 1-866-866-2802
Email: [email protected]
Australia and New Zealand Sales
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Asia Sales
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
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Sophos is the registered trademark of Sophos Ltd. All other product and company names mentioned are
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23-08-13 EN (DD)