Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team
How to Install Firewalla Gold
The Gold is passively cooled, so please place the unit in a well-vented area.
The Aluminum case conducts heat well, so it will feel hotter when you touch it. From our manufacturer "the surface temperature will reach 60°C / 140°F when the room temperature is 31°C / 88°F and all CPU cores are 100% loaded".
Before wiring up the box, you need to decide on the following:
If you plan to mount the Firewalla Gold before pairing, please make sure you take a photo of the QR sticker on the bottom, you will need that to pair the unit. Mounting plates will cover it up.
We highly recommend using the Firewalla Gold in router mode. In this mode, the Firewalla Gold will become your main router and it will manage your network inline between your network and your ISP modem/router.
Not all networks are the same, and not everyone has the same service providers. To make your life simpler, we start the "Router mode configuration guide" to demonstrate how Firewalla boxes can be running as routers in different ways.
The main advantage of the router mode is:
Connect Gold's WAN Port to the LAN Port of Modem/Router, then connect your devices to Gold's LAN ports.
Connect Gold's WAN Port to the LAN Port of Modem, then connect the router's WAN port to one of the LAN ports of Gold. After connection, please configure your router into AP mode or Bridge mode.
Connect Gold's WAN Port to the LAN Port of Modem, then connect the primary device (not the satellite device) 's WAN port to one of the LAN ports of Gold. After connection, please change the mesh router into AP mode or Bridge mode. Check out our guide on specific brands/models.
If you have a Google Wifi Mesh Network ( Here is an additional Guide ).
Simple and DHCP mode is best to be used if you just want to augment your network with the security monitoring capability of the Firewalla. These two modes do not require you to rewire your network.
If you are using the modem/router combo provided by your ISP, you just need to connect the Firewalla box's Ethernet Port 4 to one of the LAN ports of the modem/router.
Connect the Firewalla box's Ethernet Port 4 to one of the LAN ports of the router. Make sure the mobile phone running the Firewalla App during installation is connected to the WIFI network provided by the same router that the Firewalla box is plugged in.
Router mode is much more efficient to handle this scenario. You don't have to worry about router compatibility and tell Firewalla how your network is configured.
Connect Gold's Ethernet Port 4 to the LAN port of the primary device (not the satellite device). After installation, please disable the monitoring of the satellite devices in the Firewalla app after app installation. You will find more Mesh Router Guide here.
Router mode is much more efficient to handle this scenario. You don't have to worry about router compatibility and tell Firewalla how your network is configured.
Scenario D. Advanced Simple Mode
If you want the Firewalla Gold to monitor multiple networks (this is not the usual configuration, most of you will not need this), please see this guide https://help.firewalla.com/hc/en-us/articles/360053353753
Firewalla Transparent Bridge Mode is a way of placing a Firewalla device physically in the middle of an existing network without modifying the IP address of the network. Use bridge mode if:
Connect Gold to the LAN Port of a Router, then connect your devices to Gold's other ports. All network flows passing through Firewalla will be monitored and controlled.
Before pairing,
1. Reboot the modem/router before installing Gold in router mode. Some service providers may require you to do this when using a new router.
2. Make sure your mobile phone has internet access. If you are setting up the Gold in router mode, and your phone is still connected to WiFi, switch to cellular mode.
3. Turn on the DHCP function on your router if you have turned it off before. Otherwise Gold may not be able to get its IP Address from it.
Open the Firewalla App on your phone, tap on the "+" icon, and choose Firewalla Gold, the App will guide you to wire up the box.
When Firewalla Gold is found, the App will ask you to scan the QR code on the bottom of the Gold box.
Known issue: The Firewalla Android App may accidentally pick up the wrong code (serial code) next to the QR code, you can use your finger to cover up the serial code before scanning.
Next, select the model based on the wiring you did in STEP 3. Once the mode is set, and the Box is wired up correctly. Firewalla will automatically set up the network.
1. Locate the two screw holes reserved for the wall mount rack on the cover of the Firewalla box. Take note of the directions of it.
2. Place the wall mount rack upon the cover in the direction as the photo shows. Tighten up compatible screws to lock the system to the rack.
3. Adjust the box with the wall mount rack to the wall and lock it to pre-punched holes in the wall by tightening up the above-marked screws on the top side.
4. Tightening up the other screws on the bottom side. Check to make sure the screws are matched and fixed stably.
1. Locate the four screw holes on the wall mount rack and lock it to pre-punched holes in the wall by tightening up the screws.
2. Locate the four screw holes on the cover of the Firewalla box, and tighten up with the four screws highlighted in yellow color.
3. Turn the box over, and insert the screws into the four gourd-like holes in the middle of the wall mount.
4. Check the placement of the box, once you are satisfied, pull the box downward and secure four screws into the small end of gourd-like holes.