Wireless access points allow mobile devices to connect to your network.
Is your internet at your office spotty in parts of your building? Do you lose network connection to your mobile device(s) every time you go to that one place in your office? If so, itmay not be your internet. The more probable cause is that you do not have a strong wireless network in the building.
Introducing The Wireless Access Point.
Without a wireless access point, the only way devices can get to the network inside your building is by plugging in to your network with a data cable.
A wireless access point (WAP) is a piece of equipment that allows people to connect devices without needing a wire running to the wall. These devices include things like laptops, computers, phones, tablets etc. The wireless access point allows mobile devices to connect to network devices that are wired – without a wire! This allows multiple devices to connect to one another with or without wires in a simple peer-to-peer network.
Why Would You Want To Connect To Your Network?
- Access the Internet
- File share among devices.
- Use Wi-Fi calling on mobile devices.
- Access internal and external business applications.
- Stream video from your cameras.
Common Wireless Access Point Features And Abilities
It is suggested that most retail grade access point can handle 15-20 users. Of course, it all depends on the number of the devices and the speed required for data transfer. For example, watching movies and downloading or uploading large files requires much more bandwidth that say browsing, shopping or just reading email.
Business grade access points can handle more users at a time. They also have enhanced security features that allow you to limit guest access, without compromising network security. You can setup a private and a guest network on the same device, block certain users and limit the type of traffic allowed. This can all be done with the right equipment, configured correctly so an IT Administrator can view, deploy, configure and secure the devices as a single entity rather than a series of separated access point configurations.
What Affects The Performance Of A Wireless Access Point?
Proximity to the access point & obstructions.
When you connect to a network wirelessly, your proximity to the device with which you connect will determine the signal strength and speed of your connection. If you are close your device, you will generally connect at its maximum rated speed. As you get farther from the AP, your connection speed will drop as you move away. Your movies may begin to buffer, and your browsing may get slower.
Obstructions such as walls, metal roofs and trees also negatively affect the speed and distance that you can be away from the access point. As an example, with every wall your signal passes through, you can lose up to 25% – 30% of your signal strength.
How Do You Improve Your AP Signal Strength?
There are devices called Wi-Fi range extenders that should be avoided at all cost. Range extenders connect to your current Wi-Fi and give you a new point with which to connect that is different than your main connection point. For example, if your main Wi-Fi is called “business name wifi”, your range extender would be named something slightly different like “business name wifi 2”. If you move around your building, you will have to disconnect from one device and reconnect to a new one in order to get the best connection.
An alternative to Wi-Fi range extender is to look for a “Mesh” system to expand your network, number of users and devices. Wi-Fi range mesh systems are often used in homes. They provide a single network with which to sign on. They also have built in logic in order to maximize your speeds while on the network. This means if you move from the front of your building to the back of the building, you connect to the nearest device without having to disconnect from the one you were originally using.
Another option that is more suitable for business is utilizing multiple access points. They can be configured on a network to provide maximum range and connections through out a building. If designed correctly, users can roam freely from room to room without experiencing network interruptions. Business grade access points have more features than retail grade equipment. They can be powered from the ethernet cable (POE) so you don’t need a power plug at that location. However, you will need special devices to provide power over the ethernet cable.
Want more information? We’re here to help.
At IT Enabled, we believe that technology should work when and how you need it to work. We are a managed services provider. We help organizations across the country use technology to drive efficiency and grow their business. Contact us to find out more more about how to properly setup a wireless network at your business. We make it easy to reach us: call or text 936-225-3329, or email us at [email protected]. Our business is keeping you focused on your business.