What is WAP

Hello everyone!

We usually have Wi-Fi in our house, which is provided by devices such as routers. However, in most public places, WiFi is usually provided via a WAP (Wireless Access Point) device. Especially for enterprise networks, WAP is an essential part of an efficient, complete, and flexible data communication network.

What Is WAP Device

In computer networking, a wireless access point (WAP), or more generally just an access point (AP), is a networking hardware device that allows other Wi-Fi devices to connect to a wired network. As a standalone device, the AP may have a wired connection to a router, but, in a wireless router, it can also be an integral component of the router itself. An AP is differentiated from a hotspot which is a physical location where Wi-Fi access is available. The WAP is usually deployed in office environments and public places such as railway stations and hospitals. The deployment of wireless access point devices allows end-users in public places to access the Internet wirelessly anywhere in a specific area.

Factors Affecting WAP Devices

The capacity of an access point device depends on a number of factors. 

Speed

The price of a WAP (wireless access point) wifi device is closely related to the speed it can support. The faster the speed, the higher the price. Speeds of 300Mbps, 1200Mbps, 1750Mbps, or higher are now available. 

Power Supply 

WAP (wireless access point) is an active device, which means it needs power while it is working. However, it is usually deployed on walls or ceilings where there are usually no electrical outlets. As a result, PoE (Power over Ethernet) technology is being used in wireless access points. Many WAP (wireless access point) wifi devices now support both PoE and power cord power. 

Terminals and Coverage

As mentioned above, WAP (wireless access point) wifi devices can only cover a certain area because the wireless signal is easily weakened by a lot of things. Wireless access points have limited transmission distances.

Single-band or dual-band

The wireless signal has a radio frequency band. 2.4GHz and 5 GHz are the two bands of WiFi. In general, 2.4 GHz provides a wider range, while 5Ghz provides more channels and less interference. Single-band WAP (wireless access point) wifi devices can only support one of two bands, while dual-band devices can support both 2.4Ghz and 5 GHz bands.

WAP Installation and Connection

As mentioned earlier, WAPs are typically designed as wall/ceiling mounting boxes. The installation procedures for these boxes from different vendors are usually similar. The following uses hoisting as an example to describe the installation process, as shown in the following figure.

In order for a WAP Wi-Fi device to work, a length of Ethernet cable is usually used to connect it to a PoE switch, as shown in the following figure. However, if you are using a non-PoE device, you will need an additional power cord and adapter to connect to the power outlet to provide low voltage to the non-PoE device.

Therefore, you should know that the wireless access point (WAP) is an ideal Wi-Fi solution for public places such as offices, hospitals, and railway stations. If you have such a need in your workplace, consider speed, power, range, and radio band when buying.

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Content Source: FS community