By providing a flexible conversion between fat and thin AP, Nusoft OAP-201p is embedded with 2T2R patch-directional antenna (10 dBi) with the maximum transmit power of 800mW. It seamlessly integrates multiple functions, including 802.11 b/g/n connectivity, Power over Ethernet (PoE), security mechanisms (Shared Key / 802.1x / WPA / WPA2), multiple SSID (up to 8 SSIDs), Wi-Fi Multimedia QoS and more, making your wireless connectivity more reliable and faster.
Nusoft OAP-201p is a two-in-one wireless access point that offers a flexible conversion between fat and thin AP, which is equipped with IEEE 802.11 b/g/n connectivity, Power over Ethernet (PoE), security mechanisms (Shared Key / 802.1x / WPA / WPA2), multiple SSID (up to 8 SSIDs), Wi-Fi Multimedia QoS and more, bringing flexibility to your network deployment as well as ensuring your wireless connection with higher security and more stability.
Additionally, the fortified enclosure delivers IPX6-rated waterproof and 15KV ESD protection, along with wall and pole mounting methods, allowing it to be adapted to any outdoor (especially in harsh climates) or indoor scenarios, including offices, hospitals, train stations, airports, hotels, campuses, factories, etc.
Regarding the operating modes, Thin AP mode supports AP-centralized control and advanced wireless network management (QoS, web filtering, etc.), whereas Fat AP mode delivers various options for AP operation including AP, Repeater, WDS Root AP, WDS Station and WISP Client Router, perfectly meeting your deployment needs.
A:
Fat AP:
It is the conventional access point with multiple functions. The fat AP is the most common AP in the market which acts as a standalone AP that integrates with wireless capabilities (e.g., SSID, encryption, authentication, QoS, etc.) and yet no advanced features (e.g., auto radio power). It is ideal for a SOHO or a home scenario, where requires no coordination between APs.
Thin AP:
It is the new type of access point which is controlled and managed by the AP controller.
The thin AP delegates all function to an AP controller (e.g., SSID, encryption, authentication, radio frequency, etc.) and provides central AP management as well as advanced features (e.g., AP load balancing, QoS, etc.).
It is ideal for SMB, campus, hospital, hotel, airport, metro station, etc., where requires roaming or a central AP management. The performance of AP controller may decrease as the number of APs increases.
A:
You need to install tens to hundreds of access points to provide a wireless Internet access to every user in a large environment (enterprise, campus, shopping mall, etc.)
In such a case, a conventional Fat AP would fail due to the followings:
With Nusoft APs and AP Controller (APC), now you may:
A:
Have you ever tried to make a call in a sardine-crowded place (e.g., New Year countdown, live concert, etc.) but failed with full reception? This is due to each base station in the cellular network has reached their limit. In fact, this is especially true for a wireless access point that handles multiple bandwidth-consuming Wi-Fi devices in a conference room.
In such a case, a conventional Fat AP would fail due to the following:
Technically speaking, mobile devices are designed to opt for the AP with the strongest signal (the nearest one), and thus all the devices in the same wireless coverage area are associated with the same AP. Accordingly, some participants may fail to associate with the AP while others may access the Internet at a low speed because of the AP limits, e.g., maximum number of connections, maximum number of clients, etc.Though some third-party wireless solution offers AP load balancing capability, it still fails due to the following:
Their AP load balancing is achieved through limiting the number of associated clients, and thus AP associations are not evenly distributed among APs, which causes a bottleneck that slows down the connection speed.With Nusoft APs and AP Controller (APC), now you may:
Automatically dis-associate any idle clients (associated but not active) and re-associate them with a neighboring AP that has a second signal strength in the wireless coverage area, ensuring the connectivity by load balancing clients across APs.
A:
Although APs can be assigned with a different SSID, it is suggested to use the same SSID for all APs due to the following advantages:
Simple AP Profile Configuration
The profile configuration can be simplified and done once for all by creating a pre-configured AP profile on the AP controller. However, the more SSIDs would require more times of configuration which increases the difficulty and complexity of the process.
No Need to Change Credentials
Only one set of credentials (SSID & password) is needed for associating with each AP in the wireless network.
Seamless Wireless Network Roaming
Using different SSID for each AP will cause dis-association and re-association due to the handoff with a different AP while roaming. Therefore, to roam among wireless coverage areas continuously, it is suggested to use the same SSID for each AP.
AP Load Balancing
Mobile devices are designed to opt for the AP with the strongest signal, and thus all the devices in the same wireless coverage are associated with the same AP. Consequently, heavy network traffic is generated and causes a bottleneck that slows down the connection speed. However, it is a quite different story if using a single SSID. With APs and AP controller, you can automatically dis-associate any idle clients (associated but not active) and re-associate them with a neighboring AP, ensuring the connectivity by load balancing clients across APs.
A:
Multiple SSIDs allow you to share your Wi-Fi with guests without giving them the open access to your entire LAN. With multiple SSIDs, wireless users can be grouped by their identity (e.g., guests are permitted with Internet access only; no access to the LAN), or to be managed by their bandwidth usage (e.g., individual QoS). For example, the SSIDs can be planned as follows:
SSID for guests-
Users are provided with Internet access only (no access to the LAN) and are managed by their bandwidth usage.
SSID for sales department-
Users are provided with Internet access, as well as the access to internal printer, ERP and file server. The access to other departments and the applications (such as, multimedia streaming, P2P sharing, tunneling, etc.) are restricted.
SSID for RD department-
Users are provided with Internet access, as well as the access to internal printer, file server and database server. The access to other departments and the applications (such as, multimedia streaming, P2P sharing, tunneling, instant messenger, etc.) are restricted.
SSID for accounting department-
Users are provided with Internet access, as well as the access to internal printer, ERP and file server. The access to other departments and the applications (such as, multimedia streaming, P2P sharing, tunneling, instant messenger, etc.) are restricted.
SSID for superiors-
Users are provided with Internet access without any restriction.
With such an SSID plan, your wireless network can be brought to a securer level.
A:
Nusoft Lite AP Controller (LAC), namely a software-based AP controller, which is deployed in non-inline mode and operated on a PC. It integrates AP Load Balancing, AP Unified-Configuration, multiple authentication methods, Wi-Fi Billing, AP & Client Status and more. It is ideal for a scenario of large number of APs without the requirements of detailed Wi-Fi client management, such as Category, QoS, etc. (Nusoft LAC-100 AP Controller)
Nusoft Hardware-based AP Controller, namely a feature built in the MHG / UTM Series products, which can be deployed in non-inline mode, in-line mode or gateway mode. It is equipped with not only all functions of software-based controller but also SPI firewall technology and central Wi-Fi management capability. It is ideal for the scenario that requires sophisticated wireless client management, such as QoS, web filtering, application blocking, etc.
Comparisons of Nusoft & 3rd-Party AP Controllers
A:
Inline:
The unit is deployed between your existing firewall and LAN without a change being made to the current infrastructure. It is best suited for a network where advanced security and management is needed for both the wired and wireless traffic. (Applicable to hardware-based AP controller)
Non-inline:
The unit is attached to your LAN switch without any network interference. It is best suited for a network where management is needed for wireless clients. (Applicable to software-based and hardware-based AP controller)
Gateway:
The unit is deployed to replace your existing firewall. It is best suited for a network where outbound load balancing and advanced management are needed for both the wired and wireless traffic. (Applicable to software-based and hardware-based AP controller)
A:
A:
AP Mode:
This mode is the most common approach used for establishing a wireless LAN. It converts Ethernet signals into radio signals, enabling mobile devices to access the Internet through the wired network, which is ideal for SMB, campus, hotel, hospital, SOHO, home, and other indoor sites.
Repeater Mode:
The Repeater mode eliminates dead spots and enhances weak signals by extending your current Wi-Fi coverage, efficaciously alleviating the signal issues caused by obstacles or walls (including structural and interior ones). It is widely adopted in an indoor scenario where the signal of wireless router or AP is impeded.
WDS Mode:
WDS Mode: This mode is subcategorized into "Root AP" and "Station" modes. It connects LANs at two (or more) physically separated locations, enabling wireless devices to communicate with each other, which is ideal for outdoor-to-indoor and building-to-building scenarios.
WDS Root AP Mode:
Once enabled, the AP serves as a root node to connect a leaf node (i.e., LAN) in a point-to-point (P2P) fashion or multiple leaf nodes in a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) fashion.
WDS Station Mode:
Once enabled, the AP serves as a leaf node to connect a root node (i.e., an AP operated in "WDS Root AP" mode) in a point-to-point (P2P) fashion.
WISP Mode:
WISP Client Router Mode:This mode shares a subscribed (from your ISP) or free Wi-Fi signal with LAN users, saving the hassles of wiring. It is ideal for a rural area that lacks of fixed-line telecommunications infrastructure or a region that is covered by a public Wi-Fi hotspot.
A:
As the popularity of wireless networks increased over the years, more and more employees access the company's NAS server (i.e., file server) via their mobile device.
To access through a Fat / Thin AP, you need to:
To access through a Nusoft Thin AP and a hardware-based AP controller, you simply need to: