Access Points are a crucial factor in building a high-quality corporate wireless network. Choosing the right hardware lays the foundation for a robust and scalable system.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Access Point Devices
Range
The coverage area of an Access Point is a crucial parameter, and a Wireless Access Point with a larger coverage area can be more advantageous. This helps reduce the number of Access Points used, saving costs.
In conclusion, choose an Access Point based on the area you want to cover. If your company plans to expand in the near future, consider choosing an Access Point with broad coverage to prepare for growth.
Speed
Speed is an absolute requirement for a corporate network, so the Access Point should support 802.11ac, which can reach up to 1200Mbps. As technology advances, Access Points supporting higher speeds, such as the 802.11ax protocol with speeds of up to 2Gbps, will emerge.
Gain Antenna
Wireless Access Point antennas are typically internal, not external like router antennas. Antennas on a Wireless Access Point are crucial as they directly affect signal strength and transmission range. Therefore, choose an Access Point with a booster antenna.
Guest Access
Data breaches and other cybersecurity issues occur daily. When people use their phones and computers via the Internet, security issues are expected to arise. Modern systems have intelligent guest access policies that enforce corporate security policies, ensuring that guests remain safe on the network. Plus, you don’t have to worry about access from insecure devices.
No Need for Hardware Controllers
In the past, Access Points also required IT technicians with special knowledge to operate them from a computer. However, this is no longer necessary. The latest Wi-Fi 6 Access Points, for example, use Software-based control within the network and do not require external controllers. Software-based control has many advantages over previous Access Points that relied on Hardware. It not only saves space but also eliminates the possibility of a single point of failure in the network.
Cloud-Based Management
Cloud-based management features are a must for large enterprises today. This remote capability includes the ability to control device access and bandwidth and monitor the entire network for performance and security issues.
Wi-Fi Technology
Determine whether you need devices with MESH, MIMO, or POE Access Point technology. MESH technology can be used for household and commercial equipment. MIMO technology significantly reduces the blocking effect that affects Wi-Fi signals, thus reducing data speed. POE technology adopts low-power cable technology and can transmit signals up to 100M.
Price
Price does not always correlate with the quality of an Access Point. Sometimes, high prices not only increase costs but also result in the wastage of product functions and performance. However, prices that are too low can tempt people to buy low-quality or counterfeit products. So it’s best to have a clear understanding of the actual performance of the wireless Access Point to avoid falling for advertisements.
Still unsure about choosing the right Access Point device for your company? Let’s consult with Hypernet now.
