Having a lousy internet connection throughout your business can be frustrating for employees and even sometimes clients and customers. What most companies don’t understand is that what you have in your home property is not going to work for your business. That’s why it is important to install a wireless access point.
With a comprehensive overview of what a wireless access point is, we can better understand the benefits, risks, and installation process. From here, companies can make the best decision about how to disperse their network connection across several parts of the commercial property.
Let’s get into what it is.
What is a Wireless Access Point?
A wireless access point is often referred to as a Wireless Local Area Network or WLAN. Wireless access points connect through a router or a hub to send specific signals to areas to provide a network where they are needed, rather than extend the range throughout the entire building.
Rather than be wired into the router through an ethernet cable, the device is just set up to run wireless to provide the best possible connection. This allows for a strong connection with many devices, rather than a weak signal trying to expand across the area.
What does a Wireless Access Point Do?
More specifically, a wireless access point provides a strong connection in an area that needs a network signal. For instance, if you have a reception area that relies on a good signal because of clients sitting in and connecting to the internet, but also the reception is working there, a wireless access point will be a great solution.
You may not need the exact strength of connection of any connection at all in the bathrooms. That’s why a wireless access point or several can be placed throughout the building in the areas where good internet is needed the most.
Wireless access points are different from a router because the router becomes the main source of the connection. Wireless access points are devices that can extend the router’s connection to the areas needed.
The larger a business property is, the more access points you will need to extend the Wi-Fi and the range of signal to certain areas.
Benefits of Wireless Access Point
Wireless access points are a great way to move the signal seamlessly throughout your office. While of course there are risks, there are many benefits to having one for a business that any owner or staff should know about.
Here is a list of the main benefits of having a wireless access point on your property.
Large Transmission Range
One of the first benefits that a company can take advantage of is the large transmission range. What that means is a wireless access point can cover between 100 and 300 meters in range. This means users won’t lose signal often as it spends so far. This is important for larger commercial buildings that need coverage throughout the office.
More Users
With a home router you can expect somewhere up to 10 devices to be connected, but when you use a wireless access point you can have 50 or 100 users connected at the same time. And this is only for one access point, which means if you have multiple, you can have all employees and your clients connected at once without issue.
Multiple Access Points
As mentioned above, a router is one single connection, whereas a wireless access point can have multiple devices displayed out throughout the property. This is particularly important for really large commercial properties that have a lot of employees, a lot of ground to cover, and a lot of clients that come in relying on the network connection.
What is a Good Wireless Access Point?
You probably are already sold on getting a wireless access point because of its benefits. However, knowing what some of the best technology and devices are out there on the market is even more important. This is a comprehensive list of some of the best wireless access points currently offered.
Ubiquiti Networks Unifi 802.11ac Dual-Radio PRO Access Point (UAP-AC-PRO-US)
These tiny compact disk shape access point systems are perfect devices to place where you need them. The installation process is easy with these kinds of access points, and they provide a great wireless connection.
They can be set up through the cloud or locally through a router at the property. They also feature guest portals and remote hotspots as well as have the ability to self-update to stay up-to-speed with the times.
Linksys Business LAPAC2600 Pro Series AC2600 Dual-Band MU-MIMO Wireless Access Point
Offering one of the most solid connections possible, this Linksys access point feels like you are connected straight to the ethernet cable. So fast that it comes up with 5GHz data rates. Remote access through Linksys Cloud Management allows businesses to control the network and its features on and off-site.
TP-Link Wireless N300 2T2R Access Point
Easily mistaken for a router given its two large antennas on either side this TP-Link Wireless Access Point is a great access point and provides powerful fast internet throughout the property. With multiple operating modes you can choose from an access point, a client, a bridge, or a WDS repeater. While it performs wirelessly it does have the ability to become a wired option with an ethernet connection.
The best part is this is one of the most affordable options on the market.
Wireless Access Points Installation
Wireless access point installation should always be done by a professional team with a lot of experience. The reason being is it can be a costly setup and having to repeat it or having a lousy connection due to faulty installation can continue to drive the price up.
Several factors will determine your setup. The very first consideration is how big your property is and what the needs of the internet connection are. A team should be able to scope out and help design a plan that best fits the property and budget you are looking for you.
From here if you have not already purchased your wireless access point you will be recommended that type and amount of devices to securely reach your connection goals. If you have already purchased devices then it’s a matter of understanding what those limitations are. This is why it’s better to first get a design than to purchase your equipment.
From here a team can start appropriately connecting the modem or router to all your access points throughout the property. If you are needing a strong connection in one building or room over another area they will focus to ensure the wireless access point is nearby.
Wireless Access Points Risks
When it comes to risks, there aren’t many, but the risk that you face is probably the scariest one of all. The good news? With any sort of technology and internet connection, you face this risk. So this does not reason alone to not get a wireless access point. It is however a good reason to have a trusted security team like Circle Security Solutions to make sure you are protected.
The biggest risk you will face here is security. With wireless access points, you run the risk of being hacked on your server because you have spread out your connection. The larger your network range is, the more monitoring you need to do to ensure someone doesn’t break through the firewall.
The only other risk you assume is the cost. This can start to get expensive, especially when things are done in the wrong way. That’s why it is better to spend the money upfront first to get the job done correctly than it is to continue paying for someone to come out and fix the problems. The same can be said for investing in quality wireless access points, to begin with. That doesn’t necessarily mean the price, as you can see that not all good ones are expensive. It just means that you get one that meets your needs!
Wireless Access Point FAQs
Wireless access points are a tricky and difficult topic to understand. You may feel you just want your security team to take care of everything, and that’s fine. But understanding some basic ideas behind it is good. That’s why we have dedicated this section to frequently asked questions.
Why do we need multiple wireless access points?
A company would want multiple access points to cover some serious ground. Because they can span 100 to 300 meters, you don’t need 100 if you are a small building. But if you have some space, having multiple access points ensures the best connections, just like you get from the main router throughout your commercial property. This is important for productivity and workflow.
How do we know how far apart to place the wireless access points?
Your security and installation company should know from the detailed plan they construct in the beginning about how far the placement should be of the wireless access point. Having said that, generally speaking, the signal-to-noise ratio should be considered with the spacing. The signal-to-noise ratio means that if you are too far away or having too many devices connected in one area, you will need to boost up the power and add more access points to clarify the signal.
What’s the difference between a Wi-Fi extender and an access point?
The main difference between a Wi-Fi extender or a range extender and an access point is that the extender is just that. It extends the same Wi-Fi network throughout the property. This can cause a weaker signal. An access point is its network reassuring that strong signal coverage throughout the entire property. Extenders are usually reserved for homes, and access points are used for businesses.
Circle Security Solutions Product Showcase
Trying to find the right products can be frustrating. That’s why checking out the Circle Security Solutions product showcase is the best place to start. An experienced representative and team member can start the process with you and our installation team can finish it. But not only that, their monitoring services mean that they will be with you every day to assist and help with any questions.
This is particularly important to have a reliable team ready to help you when you need it. Don’t wait to start the process, and call Circle Security Solutions today to get the service you need and deserve!
Understanding Your Options
When it comes to wireless access points, they can be intimidating. Just remember, they are not extending your Wi-Fi signal, but instead creating their network off of your existing network. This is why the connection is so strong. You can choose where you need to have these signals placed throughout your property so that the busiest areas of traffic are covered without issue. A trusted member of an experienced security team can help you with the layout and design, since it can be difficult to figure out on your own.
While not all businesses need 100s of wireless access points, it’s good to consider that there are no range extenders. A range extender is meant for the home, as it limits the number of devices you can put on at once. This number is around 10 where a wireless access point can offer 100s at one time.
From here, you can make the best possible decision on which device works best for your company. They come in a range of costs, so make sure to include your budget in the conversation in your layout plan.
