Firewalla

Firewalla Installation Guide

Welcome to Firewalla Box Installation Guide

If at any stage you are stuck or have questions, please email us at help@firewalla.com, it will create a support case, and our engineers will help you directly.

 

STEP 1: Download and install Firewalla App

           

 

STEP 2: Wire up the box

Connect Firewalla box to the main router of your network using the Ethernet cable provided in the package.  Then, connect the device to a power source using the Micro-USB cable provided in the package.

Here are some common scenarios to show you where Firewalla box should connect to.  If your network is more complex and need help, please send us an email: help@firewalla.com, describe your network topology, we will help you out.

Case A:  ISP Provided Modem / Router If you are using the modem/router combo provided by your ISP,  you just need to plug Firewalla box to one of the LAN port of the modem/router.

 

Case B:  Multiple Routers In addition to the modem/router combo provided by ISP, you have purchased another router and use that to connect all your household devices.  In such case, plug Firewalla box to one of the LAN port of the router that you purchased.  Make sure the mobile phone which will launch Firewalla App is connected to the WIFI network provided by the same router that Firewalla box is plugged in.

 

Case C:  Wireless Mesh Network

If you own a mesh network, make sure to connect Firewalla to the primary device (not the satellite device).  After installation, please disable monitoring of the satellite devices in the Firewalla app. 

 

Case D:  Access Point (AP) / Switch

In addition to the modem/router combo provided by ISP,  you have installed a wifi access point (AP) or a switch (not a router) to connect your household devices. In such case, plug Firewalla box to either one of the LAN port of the AP/Switch or the LAN port on modem/router combo.

 

Notes:

  • You can connect the Firewalla to any power source.  Make sure it provides a decent 2A current.  Once the device is powered, the light next to the  Ethernet cable will start blinking.
  • Do not power off the box during the installation.

 

STEP 3: Pairing Firewalla App with the box

Before launching the app, please make sure following

  • In case you have multiple networks (case B above), your phone needs to connect to the same router that your Firewalla box is plugged in.
  • VPN is disabled on your Phone.
  • It may take up to 5 min for Firewalla to completely boot and upgrade process when powered on.  Please be patient.
  • For compatibility and workarounds please see Router Compatibility Guide.

Launch Firewalla App.  If Firewalla device (the red box) is ready to be paired, you shall see either '+' or 'New Firewalla' icon, or see both icons.  If you don't see any of the two icons, please be patient and wait. 

Tap on either '+' or 'New Firewalla' icon, and follow the instruction on installation wizard.  When asked to scan QR code, it is the sticker located at the bottom of the little red box.  Once it is finished, your box will be able to communicate with the App. 

 

Notes:

 

STEP 4: Initial Setup of the box

After the pairing, a setup dialog will appear on the installation wizard. Tap “Continue”, it will automatically set up the device by learning your network. The entire process may take several more minutes. Once it is done, the little red box is now ready to work.

Notes:

  • If during the setup process, the device finds your main router is not compatible with Simple Mode, it will advise you to use DHCP Mode instead. 
    • If you want to know what is Simple Mode and DHCP Mode before deciding which mode to choose, check out this page. 
    • You can also double check the router compatibility list to help you decide.
    • If you are sure your router is compatible with Simple Mode, feel free to tap the retry when you see the test fail message.
  • If you decide to use DHCP mode, some manual configuration on your router is required.  Please follow this guide.
  • If you are using a mesh router and having problems, please consult this guide: Notes on the meshed router

 

Post Installation Problems:

Most routers will work with either Firewalla's Simple (plug and play) mode or the DHCP mode.  Some routers may experience issues such as devices being blocked or slow down in internet speed.  The fix is usually switching to a different monitoring mode or a configuration fix.  

Here are some additional information to get you started using Firewalla

A reminder, if you see a bright red 'B' next to any feature, this means, 'beta'.  We are testing, and it is not ready for prime time.  We will be likely to have that feature in production around 30 days.


A Thank You Note and a Commitment from us:

We hope you had a good experience installing Firewalla, and we certainly hope you will enjoy our product and its features more in the future.  We are a startup, a group of former Cisco engineers wanting to make the world a safer place.  Our passion is to make cybersecurity simple to operate, affordable to everyone and powerful enough for professionals.  

We may be a small company, but we are big in customer satisfaction, passion for good engineering.

With your purchase, we are one step closer to that goal.   If you like our product, please help us spread the word around or give us a good review.  If you don't like our product, please contact us, we will make it better.  Customer satisfaction is our highest priority. 

And lastly, Firewalla is a living product.  We are committed to making a better product for You.  Please join our community or Facebook page, look out for new features, new ways to protect, and new ways to use Firewalla.

Thank You

The Firewalla Team