How to Choose the Best Wireless Access Point and When You Need It

An access point (AP) is simply a network-capable device containing a transceiver and antenna for transmitting signals to and receiving signals in the remote clients. The access point thus gives a "point of access" for the wired network for that remote clients. The access points allow wireless clients being efficiently connected to a wired LAN.

Wireless Outdoor Access Point

Generally wireless AP is designed for indoor purposes where the environments are certainly not harsh. But deployment in the wireless APs in harsh environments really should have specific design. For outdoor or harsh environments, the device has to be manufactured with rugged housing and industrial-grade components allowing the devices to operate under extreme temperatures ranges for example from -30~70 degrees C and embedded with all the surge protection, weather-proof, water-tight, and rust resistant.

When We Need Wireless AP

Basically in home based usage you require a wireless AP if you need to share your broadband Internet connection wirelessly with many different computers inside household. You can connect the wireless AP to your existing modem router to create a wireless network for internet sharing. But you must make sure that your modem includes the router or firewall NAT feature. If your current modem is a pure modem without a NAT firewall feature, you need a wireless router for Internet sharing. Unless you will see one client computer that can connect to the internet.

In business networks when you require providing wireless link to locations running network cables is not possible, you can use the wireless AP for wireless access on the network. Or when you require providing mobile phones wirelessly access the network, you may create hotspots with security segregation. Or in harsh plant environments you may create point-to-point, point-to-multi point, or mesh networks, you require wireless outdoor access points.

Which Best Wireless Access Point

Technology makes life easier. Manufacturers develop new better technology with introduction of the latest products with better performance. Choosing the top wireless AP is really a moving target since there will forever come new introduction of the latest products with better technology and innovation. For now how to pick the most effective wireless AP you need to examine the producer specs to feature the next features:

Multifunction Modes

The wireless AP should be able to help different operational modes: Access point, Repeater, Network Bridge, and wireless Client mode. In the Wireless Access Point Mode, the unit enables any existing wired network to visit wireless through attaching the device while using the Ethernet cable for an open port inside your router or switch.

In the Wireless Ethernet Bridge Mode or Client mode, the product enables any wired Ethernet-ready device to connect in your existing wireless network. Connect your PC, notebook, printer, network camera, and even a whole wired network on the AP device with a Switch and establish a radio connection for your wireless network. In repeater mode, you can other AP devices to increase the wireless network without having to run backbone cables.

WDS Support

Best wireless AP should secure the Wireless Distribution System (WDS). WDS allows a wireless network to get expanded using multiple access points without the need for a wired backbone to link them, as is traditionally required.

WDS allows you to build wireless infrastructure completely for the reason that network equipment will no longer has to be linked to a wired LAN. The WDS features you may create large wireless networks by linking several wireless APs with WDS links. WDS is generally found in large, open locations where pulling wires is cost prohibitive, restricted or physically impossible.

Wireless N

Best wireless access point must be powered by new wireless technology standards - the wireless 802.11n. 802.11n standard may be the latest and fastest wireless technology you can find today. With the wireless N and MIMO technology, the AP device provides speeds of up to 300 Mbps or faster and longer distance coverage.

When you employ high-intensive bandwidth applications including High Definition Video streaming and voice, you need to also consider the dual-band version of both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands.

Advanced Security Features

The best wireless access points should support advanced security features including latest industrial wireless security Wireless Protected Access (WPA/WPA2), MAC filter and SSID Broadcast Control. For deployment within the corporate networks, the AP should support advanced wireless protection (EAP-MD5, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, and PEAP), plus support RADIUS authentication. And for easiness from the wireless security connection, the AP must also offer the Wireless Protected Setup (WPS) for effortless installation.

By Ki Grinsing