Firmware 1.35 Update: SSID Names Now Support UTF-8 Characters

Zyxel_Lynn

Zyxel firewalls continue to align with modern wireless standards and Nebula features. With firmware version 1.35, SSID names configured on the firewall now support the UTF-8 character set.

What Does This Mean?

Previously, SSID names were restricted to basic alphanumeric characters and a limited set of symbols. With UTF-8 support, you can now use:

• Multiple languages (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, etc.)
• Emojis and emoticons
• Special characters and symbols

This brings firewall-managed SSID naming capabilities up to the same level as those supported in Nebula Control Center (NCC).

Compatibility Notes

• Modern devices (laptops, smartphones, tablets) that support UTF-8 will correctly display the SSID exactly as configured.
• Legacy devices that do not support UTF-8 will display random or unreadable characters instead of the intended name.

Benefits of UTF-8 SSID Support

Feature	Benefit
Multi-language support	Create SSIDs in local languages for global deployments
Emoji/emoticons	Add a modern, user-friendly branding element to networks
Special characters	More flexibility in naming conventions
Consistency with Nebula	Same SSID flexibility across cloud- and firewall-managed APs

With UTF-8 SSID support, Zyxel makes it easier to create customized and localized wireless network names, ensuring better user experience and consistency across management platforms.