UTM Up2date 9.716 released

I just got notification today. Per my usual habit, I searched for update issues and found this thread. I scheduled our UTM to run the update tonight between 2:00 and 3:00 AM local time. I do not have much else to say, really. 

I am looking for another firewall / router solution for our home network. I am not sure I want to stay with Sophos. Part of it is my anger that they plan to disable the user interface for their previous model access points, some of which were current models only a couple years ago. That makes no sense to me - think of the environmental impact alone.

The AP series access points are EOL in December if that's what you are referring to. I too was upset about it, since even if they are fully functional, they become paperweights. But, was able to get a used APX model really cheap, and it ended up not being a brick this time.

If you look at the used market you can get an APX for around $100-150, assuming it works, and hopefully they will be supported for a lot longer. 

The AP series access points are EOL in December if that's what you are referring to. I too was upset about it, since even if they are fully functional, they become paperweights. But, was able to get a used APX model really cheap, and it ended up not being a brick this time.

If you look at the used market you can get an APX for around $100-150, assuming it works, and hopefully they will be supported for a lot longer. 

I knew this about the access points. There is no way I am going to burn another large sum of money to invest in APX access points only to have Sophos do the same thing to me next year or the year after that. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.

My friend's company already migrated away from Sophos. I was running UTM here at home to support him. He doesn't need Sophos and neither do I. 

I was unaware of UTM EOL in June 2023 until reading the above, so I guess I am done with Sophos, and all that remains is to find the next non-Sophos solution, from someone who won't leave me high-and-dry. My Sophos SG-135 can run many different non-Sophos solutions too. 

Now I am asking myself why I did not abandon Sophos sooner. The answer is "inertia." 

I was reluctant to go with another APX 120 after the first one I purchased used arrived bricked out of the box, but I gave it a second try and the speed bump going to 802.11ac from the AP15 (which seems to be locked at 72 mbps, 802.11n) made it worth it for me.

I was just about to go with a TP-Link access point, which can be managed from the Omada Controller, a really nice feature, but since the 802.11ac standard should still be around a for a long time I took the chance on an APX model. 

So if you're looking for a wireless solution, TP-link's Omada controllers can manage their Omada access points and switches, which will cost about as much as a used APX120.

I want a firewall/router that supports access points with multiple separate SSIDs so I can isolate appliances, cameras, etc. from our primary LAN. After what Sophos did with the AP series access points, there is no way I would trust them again, so sorry. Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me twice ...

We went for cisco years (decades, actually) ago and did never regret it. They still support APs 10+ years old in their software and the feature set is out of doubt. Main reason to replace an AP is for speed and frequency bands, not for age.

Just make sure you get the "real" cisco, not a company named "meraki" aquired some years ago. Expensive tough.

The only Sophos AP I deal with are these in the RED devices. We have a huge fleet of RED (mostly 15/15w) bought with the beginning of corona and still in heavy use. Fortunatelly plans to drop software support for them have only been announced by sophos for the XG line (afaik starting with V20), not for the SG.

We make gradually progress in moving to software clients, but for some setups (IP hardphone, printer) it's tricky.

utmadm said:

I want a firewall/router that supports access points with multiple separate SSIDs so I can isolate appliances, cameras, etc. from our primary LAN.

Ubiquity feels like it would be a good fit for for a home environment or smaller business. It's not to difficult to set up and the software is free once you pay for the hardware. I was leaning towards this as an option as well as it includes similar NGFW features (and the AP controller "key" is built in), and I sort of regret not going with that, but the Dream Machine Pros are more like $400 and up, which is still not that bad if you want to invest in their ecosystem of switches, cameras, and APs.