Indoor Wireless Access Points

Wireless Access Points are the key components of a wireless local area network (WLAN). Wireless APs provide network access to wireless clients such as laptops, PCs, tablet PCs or POS. Each wireless access point is strategically placed in a room, building or warehouse to provide the greatest range and most reliable signal for each wireless client. Many new wireless APs have dual radio configurations and support all three IEEE wireless protocols (WI-FI) 802.11a/b/g to provide the highest level of wireless client compatibility. TIP: Wireless range can be extended by either adding more access points or by replacing the default antennas with high gain wireless patch antennas or omnidirectional wireless antennas.

Types of Access Points:

Autonomous APs: Also known as "fat" access points, these wireless access points work on their own and do not need a controller to manage their operational and security settings. Traditionally priced the same price as their Light Weight Access Point counterparts, there is no need for costly controllers, saving money on the total installation. If the cost is the upside then the downside would be that without the use of a WLAN controller, each autonomous AP is controlled separately which greatly increases deployment times and complicates the management of large network build-outs.

Light Weight Access Points (LWAPP): Depending on the manufacturer these access points, also known as "thin" APs require a Wireless LAN Controller or Mobility controller to configure and use the APs. Lightweight APs are perfect for large deployments where time is of the essence and man power is limited. Since all configurations reside on the controller, deployment is easy and can be done by just about any installation team. With all information traveling through the controller, security policies for every client on the WLAN can be enforced in installations that require coordinated security policies.

Mesh APs: Indoor wireless mesh nodes provide Ethernet connectivity at any indoor location over a high-performance, self-forming wireless mesh backbone. Wireless mesh nodes automatically connect to each other to create a multi-service wireless mesh network. Designed for seamless indoor and outdoor operation, these wireless mesh networks securely handle concurrent video, voice, and data applications, making it ideal for municipal, public safety, and enterprise networks. With a wireless mesh, networks are self-forming and self-healing to enable rapid deployment and dependable operation, while management tools deliver sophisticated network tuning, monitoring, and control.