Overview
When planning wireless network coverage, many people ask whether to use wireless APs or wireless routers. This article explains the differences between the two.
1. Wireless Router Applications
A wireless router combines wireless AP and routing functions. Many consumer wireless routers include AP functionality. If your home uses ADSL or residential broadband, a wireless router is usually the appropriate choice for sharing the connection. If you already have a router, adding a wireless AP is sufficient for extending wireless coverage.
In a small office environment, a single wireless router can often meet requirements. By integrating broadband access routing and wireless AP functions, a router can provide wireless connectivity while handling NAT and connection sharing, which is useful in office scenarios.
2. Wireless AP Functions
One important AP function is repeater mode. A repeater amplifies the wireless signal between two points so that a distant client can receive a stronger signal. For example, if an AP is placed at point A and a client is at point C with 120 meters between them, the signal from A to C may be weak. Placing an AP at point B, 60 meters from A, as a repeater can boost the signal received at C, improving throughput and stability.
Another key AP function is bridging. Bridging links two endpoints to enable data transmission between two wireless APs. To connect two wired LANs at distant locations, APs can be used to bridge them. For example, if site A has a wired LAN of 15 computers and site B has a wired LAN of 25 computers, but the distance between A and B exceeds 100 meters so cabling is not feasible, APs at A and B with bridge mode enabled can allow the two LANs to exchange data. Note that APs without WDS support may not provide wireless coverage at the bridged endpoints.
The "master-slave" mode (also called root/leaf or controller-managed mode) lets subordinate APs appear to the main AP or wireless router as wireless clients, similar to a wireless NIC or module. This enables centralized management of subordinate networks and supports point-to-multipoint connections, where the subordinate APs are the multiple points and the main AP or router is the single point.
This mode is often used to connect a wired LAN and a wireless LAN. For example, if site A is a wired LAN of 20 computers and site B is a wireless LAN of 15 computers and site B already has a wireless router, adding an AP at site A in master-slave mode and connecting that AP to A's switch allows the computers at A to access B's network.
One additional consideration is high-density indoor environments. Placing many APs too close together can significantly degrade network performance due to interference, similar to how certain household devices can affect wireless signals. Enterprise APs typically include anti-interference features to mitigate this issue.
Vendors such as Huawei, H3C, and Ruijie offer enterprise APs with similar anti-interference capabilities.
3. Why Wireless APs Can Be More Expensive
The main reasons enterprise-grade APs cost more are:
- Centralized management: Consumer routers or APs require individual configuration. Managing dozens or hundreds of APs manually is labor intensive. Centralized management provides network-wide statistics, analysis, and monitoring that consumer products typically do not offer.
- Advanced features: Under AC/controller management, enterprise APs can implement complex features such as seamless roaming and RF optimization. These technologies are important in high-density or high-demand deployments and contribute to higher product value.
- Pre- and post-sales technical support: Wireless deployments can be complex. Enterprise products often include network planning, installation, tuning, optimization, and professional after-sales support, which increases overall cost.
- Other factors: Installation options, PoE power supply, and similar features also affect price.
Deployment Recommendation for Hotels
For hotel wireless deployments, an AC+AP enterprise architecture is recommended. Configure all APs with the same SSID so users see a single network.
