Installing Access Points

The purchase of new access point for home or commercial use always entails a minor potential hassle in the form of setting it up. Some individuals, on the other hand, love to play around with their house, so setting up new technology is nothing but a pleasure for them. However, there are others who find it tedious and want to fix installing access points as soon as possible. Want to know more about this? Then read our in-depth guide explaining everything about this topic.

Ben Grindlow

Ben Grindlow is the founder of ProXPN, a company that provides reviews about VPN products and services. Ben's interest in cybersecurity and privacy led him to start ProXPN, which has become one of the most well-respected VPN providers in the world. Ben is passionate about his work, and he is constantly exploring new ways to improve ProXPN's in-depth guides.

Last updated: 17:17PM 9/18/2024

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Purchasing new access points can often come with a few complications, with installing wireless access points, being a common problem. That said, however, your effort will pay off, because wireless access point installation will greatly extend your current network. In addition, having multiple access points will let multiple users receive internet coverage.

An Ethernet cable runs from your router to the access point, converting the wired internet signal into a wireless signal. The steps mentioned below can help you easily create a vast Wifi Network within thirty minutes. What's more, these steps will be suitable for installing wireless access points in small and larger areas.

Requirements for using Wifi access points

Buying a high-quality wifi access point for your wifi range should be the first step you should consider taking. You must also consider your particular requirements, the amount of devices utilizing the wireless network and the activities you will be requiring the internet connection for. Whatever the case, you must ensure you get wireless signals strong enough to support your activities.

After purchasing the Wifi access points, you must work on the wireless access point installation process. Mentioned below are some items that you must have when installing an access point:

  • Firstly, you will require a wireless access point
  • Then, you will need a router for distributing and managing data
  • Make sure you invest in a high-quality ethernet cable for a successful installation process. In most cases, you will receive an ethernet cable with your wireless access point, as it helps transfer data at a rapid pace
  • While most wireless access point devices come with a power adapter, you must invest in one, if the brand you chose doesn't offer it
  • You will need a high-quality laptop for configuring your wifi access point

Typically, a wifi access point requires AC/DC adapter for working properly. However, modern access point variants support PoE, also referred to as Power over Ethernet, which is why you may not require an external adapter.

What is Power Over Ethernet

The PoE technology helps pass electrical power from Ethernet cables to powered devices (PDs). These include things like wireless access points and IP cameras.

In certain cases, you may require a few other items like modem, drivers/suite installation discs for the wall mounts, and extension cord.

The steps mentioned below discuss wireless access point installation step by step.

Step 1: Start by installing the router/switch

Start by looking for a suitable place for your wifi router. Steer clear from keeping the router in a corner. It would be best to keep the router in the center of the room, preferably somewhere high.

Consider placing your router far away from things like concrete walls, metal, stones, bricks, etc. Doing so will significantly improve your signal strength, ensuring your wifi signals spread far and wide

If you have a wired wifi router, consider it keeping it in a space where there is no interference caused by interior elements like lights, outlets, phones, etc. Connect the router with a power outlet, and once you do so, switch it one. Remember, if your device is PoE compatible, you will only require an ethernet cable.

Step 2: Search Ideal Locations for access point

Searching for suitable locations for the access point can be slightly challenging. If the purpose of your access point is to provide wireless connectivity, consider placing it in an area where the wireless signal covers multiple locations. As mentioned earlier, you must connect the access point in an area with minimum obstacles and interference with other wireless devices.

If your device has an AC/DC adapter, consider connecting that adapter to the access point. Once you do so, you can plug it into a power outlet. Proceed to the next step if it is a PoE connection.

Step 3: Setting Up the cables

Using an ethernet cable would be ideal for connecting the access point to the router. Start by attaching the cable to your router's LAN port and into the main Ethernet port. Doing so will introduce your access point to the local network created by your router. Attach the ethernet cable to the router to send signals to your computer. After doing so, attach the cable to a LAN port on the router and to your computer's port, which will connect your computer to the network. This step will also help create a direct access point, which will come in handy for LAN management.

Step 4: Configuring the Wireless Network

You do not have to worry about setting the LAN or internet access up manually, thanks to modern technology. Once you install the equipment and wires properly, you will essentially confirm that the devices acknowledge each other, which means that you will be one step closer to using the wireless network.

LAN

LAN, which is also referred to as Local Area Network is a collection of devices connected in a location, which includes: buildings, offices, and homes. A Local Area Network can be small or large. The best thing about them is that they can be ideal for home networks with only a few users as well as massive corporate networks with numerous devices that require a wireless signal.

If the access point requires a regular setup, you can get the instructions from the computer's user manual, which are quite easy to follow.

These steps can be quite lengthy to explain, which is why it would be best to learn about them in detail from reputable sources on the interenet. It is also worth keeping in mind that you can make changes to your router settings. You can do this by connecting your router through your computer, using the IP address mentioned in the instruction manual.

Step 5: Voilà! That's THE Process of Installing Access Point

Voila, these are the steps you must follow for the installation of wifi access points. After, following these steps, you can enjoy extended wireless coverage from wifi networks, along with improved signals.

Be aware of interference when Installing Wireless Access Points

Wireless access points can be massive obstacles for your network because of a few factors. Whenever you use multiple access points, you must focus on making a formidable channel plan. Doing so will ensure your access points do not collide with each other.

If you're installing a wireless network in an isolated or rural location that does not have commercial or residential buildings, getting an internet connection will become relatively straightforward.

This is mainly because such areas have minimal outside interference that impacts your signal strength since there are very few other wireless networks nearby, something that staff members in internet-dependent offices prefer.

That said, however, you could face a great deal of interference from Wi-fi devices and access points if you are living in a densely populated area. A large number of wireless networks can cause a great deal of interference for your wireless access point setup.

You can determine the number of wireless networks broadcasting around you by checking the Wi-Fi networks showing up on your laptop or phone.

Whether the network you come across has a strong coverage or not, there is a huge chance that it could be broadcasting a wireless signal causing disruptions to your network.

Channel plan

You can save a lot of airtime with a well-thought-out channel plan. Selecting the right Wi-Fi channel is a surefire way to improve your Wi-Fi speed. As far as the 2.4 GHz channels go, 1, 6, and 11 are the only channels that do not overlap or interfere. Choosing one or more channels like these is a crucial step to ensuring your network is installed correctly.

You should also consider setting up as many devices as possible to 5 GHz. This is because r 2.4 GHz channels tend to overlap quite a bit and they tend to get overcrowded because of neighboring networks.

Items like your phone, microwave, or even baby monitors, are also on the 2.4 GHz band. 5 GHz can achieve significantly higher speeds, without compromising the range.

When choosing the channel, start by connecting to your Wi-Fi network. Then, you have to go to Gateway > Connection > wifi. If you want to change your channel selection, choose Edit next to the Wi-Fi channel that you want to change. After that, click the radio button in front of the channel selection field and choose the channel number you want. Finally, select Save Settings.

That is How You Install Wireless Access Point

After determining the ideal location for the access point and completing the physical setup phase, you can browse the web wirelessly. An access point configured properly can improve wireless performance significantly.

With the help of this step-by-step guide, you will be able to have a clear answer to install one access point or more without any issues. T

Frequently asked questions

What are the three most essential aspects of a wireless access point's configuration? The SSID, the RF channel, and the authentication technique are the three most essential elements to configure when creating an access point.

Install your APs in a central location that is free of corners, walls, and other physical obstacles to providing optimum signal coverage. Install your APs in an elevated position to get the maximum signal strength reception and performance for your wireless network overall.

A Wireless Access Point (WAP) allows multiple devices to connect to the same network using WiFi. A switch is the wired equivalent. However, a WAP does not need to be connected to a router via a cable as a switch must. Access Points connect wirelessly to a switch or a router via Ethernet and provide WiFi.

If the wired and wireless networks are not under a managed device, the APs function as DHCP. The network protocol that allows a server to automatically assign an IP address to an IP-enabled device from a specified range of numbers assigned for a specific network. When connected by wire to clients, servers act as Ethernet access points.

Reduce the possibility of your access points interfering with one another. If two or more wireless networks haven't been thoroughly planned and set up, they might be causing interference with each other. You'll want a coverage overlap of 15% to 20% between AP cells.

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