FortiGate 280D POE Gen2 End of Life
Understand when support ends and how to future-proof your FortiGate 280D POE Gen2 End of Life deployment.

The FortiGate-280D-POE-Gen2 addressed mid‑market branch and campus deployments requiring firewalling plus PoE for onsite access devices. With the device now reaching end of life, organizations should reassess both power and security requirements to ensure continued supportability and performance. Below are targeted considerations to guide replacements.
What this means for your organization
- A chance to modernize your security posture and prepare for future growth.
- Opportunity to benefit from improved performance, efficiency, and protection.
- Align IT infrastructure with compliance, scalability, and long-term ROI.
FortiGate-280D-POE-Gen2 Date & Status
Here’s what you need to know about FortiGate-280D-POE-Gen2 lifecycle status.
- End of Life (EOL): 4/15/25

FortiGate-280D-POE-Gen2 Replacement
Replacing the FortiGate-280D-POE-Gen2 enables midsize sites to handle increased encrypted traffic, unified communications, and heavier PoE demands.
Role of the FortiGate-280D-POE-Gen2:
A security appliance with PoE, commonly used in midsize offices and campus edges requiring co-located power and security.
Evolving Traffic Patterns:
Encrypted SaaS traffic, UC, and video increase simultaneous demand on inspection and PoE resources.
Modern Demands:
Stronger SSL inspection, flexible PoE, improved throughput, centralized management, and cloud-based provisioning.
Strategic Upgrade:
Adopt platforms balancing stronger inspection with resilient PoE and centralized orchestration; separate PoE from security where scale or redundancy requires it.
Understanding Fortinet's EOL Policy | End of Life Risks
Every Fortinet product follows a defined lifecycle, moving through the following stages:

- General Availability (GA): The product is released and actively sold and supported.
- End of Sale (EOS): The device is no longer available for purchase from Fortinet or authorized partners.
- End of Life (EOL): Feature development and most firmware updates stop.
- End of Support (EOSL): Fortinet ends all official support, security patches, and RMA services.
Why This Matters for Your Business
Understanding where your hardware sits in this lifecycle helps you:
- Plan timely upgrades before critical support ends.
- Ensure security compliance and avoid audit failures.
- Maintain operational continuity with fully supported hardware.
Risks of Continuing to Use EOL Hardware
When a firewall or security appliance reaches End of Life, the risks of keeping it in production increase dramatically
No Security Patches
Outdated devices won’t receive updates, leaving your network exposed to new vulnerabilities.
Lack of Vendor Support
Once support ends, there’s no access to Fortinet’s technical resources or RMA services.
Compliance Failures
Auditors may flag unsupported hardware as a violation of security and industry standards.
Operational Instability
Legacy devices may struggle with modern workloads, encrypted traffic, and cloud integrations.
How Aseva Helps with Fortinet EOL
Here’s how Aseva ensures a smooth and secure FortiGate lifecycle transition.
Lifecycle Planning:
Track Fortinet GA → EOS → EOL → EOSL.
Seamless Migration:
Dedicated engineers ensure minimal downtime.
Future-Proof Security:
Replace with next-gen models aligned to your needs.
Why Choose Aseva for Fortinet End of Life Support?
Choosing the right partner is critical. With Aseva, you gain a trusted advisor with deep expertise in Fortinet and broader cybersecurity lifecycle management. We help reduce risk, ensure compliance, and maximize ROI on your IT investments.