When it comes to setting up your business’s wireless network, there are two main options: a mesh Wi-Fi system and Wi-Fi access points. Each of these has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to understand the differences between them before deciding. Today, we’ll break down the key differences between a mesh network vs. access points so you can make an informed choice for your business.
What is Mesh Wi-Fi?
Mesh Wi-Fi is an advanced form of wireless internet technology that uses multiple access points to create a single, unified network. It consists of two or more routers connected wirelessly and working together to spread the wireless signal across a larger area than traditional routers can provide. This makes it ideal for offices with multiple floors or businesses with large outdoor areas that need to be covered by the same network.
Mesh Wi-Fi vs Traditional Router
The main difference between a mesh Wi-Fi vs. a traditional router is that the former can be customized to fit your business’s exact needs. With a traditional router, you are stuck with one single access point that covers an entire area. On the other hand, a mesh system allows you to add additional nodes as needed to cover larger areas or multiple floors. This offers more flexibility and scalability to suit your business’s needs.
Advantages of Mesh Wi-Fi
There are numerous advantages of mesh Wi-Fi networks compared to other forms such as traditional routers, making them a powerful tool for households and businesses alike.
Flexible Coverage
Mesh Wi-Fi systems provide flexible coverage for businesses with larger areas that require robust connectivity. With the ability to add additional nodes as needed, businesses can expand their networks quickly and easily—without sacrificing performance or reliability. And unlike traditional routers, which require complicated setup processes and specialized hardware, mesh Wi-Fi systems can be installed in minutes with just an app on your smartphone or tablet.
Reduced Interference
In addition to providing coverage across larger spaces, mesh Wi-Fi also helps reduce interference from other wireless devices such as phones and tablets by using multiple signals instead of one single signal like traditional routers do. This ensures that devices such as laptops and printers receive uninterrupted service throughout your space—so you can stay connected no matter what else is going on around you.
Now that we have a pretty good understanding of mesh Wi-Fi, let’s see how it compares vs. access points.
What is a Wi-Fi Access Point?
A Wi-Fi access point (AP) is a device that provides wireless connectivity to a network. It connects users to other devices on the same network so they can share files, access resources, and use applications. An AP is like a router, but it does not have an integrated modem—it requires an existing wired connection (DSL/cable) or another AP or router to function properly.
APs come in different shapes and sizes; some are designed for small offices while others are designed for large enterprises. The size of your office will determine which type of AP you need. The bigger the office, the more powerful and feature-rich the AP should be.
Advantages of Using Access Points
Access points provide several distinct advantages for wireless networking. Here are some you should know about.
Cost Savings
One of the most significant advantages of using Wi-Fi access points is cost savings. Not only do you not have to pay for expensive wiring and cabling, but you also don’t have to worry about additional maintenance costs associated with wired networking systems. Furthermore, deploying a wireless network will save you money on energy costs since there are no physical wires that need to be powered.
Easy Setup and Maintenance
Another benefit of Wi-Fi access points is that they are incredibly easy to set up and maintain. All you need to do is plug in the access point, configure it via a web browser, and then connect your devices to it. This makes it much easier than dealing with complicated wiring schemes or other complicated setup processes associated with wired systems. Once your Wi-Fi access point is set up, it is easy to maintain as well.
Manageable Coverage Area
Finally, another benefit of using Wi-Fi access points is that they allow you to manage your coverage area easily. This means that if you want to expand your coverage area, you must add more access points—without having to worry about reconfiguring existing wiring or cabling schemes. This makes expanding your coverage area a breeze.
Mesh Networks vs. Wi-Fi Access Points
At their core, mesh networks and Wi-Fi access points are similar in that they both provide wireless internet coverage throughout a space. However, they differ in terms of how they achieve this goal.
A mesh network is made up of multiple routers (or nodes) that work together as one system to provide internet coverage throughout a space. The individual nodes communicate with each other wirelessly, creating a single large network with no physical connection required between each node. This means that if any one node fails, the remaining nodes can pick up the slack and keep the network running smoothly.
Additionally, mesh networks tend to be more reliable than traditional Wi-Fi systems since they spread out their signal over multiple devices instead of relying on just one router or access point.
Wi-Fi access points, on the other hand, are single routers or hubs that provide wireless coverage within a limited area. These devices usually need to be physically connected via Ethernet cable in order to create a consistent signal throughout your workspace. Unlike mesh networks, if one access point fails then all areas covered by that device will lose their connection until it is repaired or replaced.
Additionally, because these devices cover a much smaller area than mesh networks, businesses typically need more access points than they would with a mesh system to provide full coverage within their workspace—which can increase costs significantly over time.
When deciding between using Wi-Fi access points vs. mesh networks for your business’s wireless connection needs, consider the size and complexity of your space as well as how much upfront investment you’re willing to make into getting set up.
Mesh networks provide more flexibility in terms of coverage but require more upfront investment while Wi-Fi access points require less upfront investment but may not cover larger areas as effectively (or at all).
With careful consideration of your business’s particular needs, you can determine which option best suits your situation and make sure you have reliable access no matter where you are!
Kital is here to make setting up your mesh network easy and hassle-free. As one of the leading suppliers of Wi-Fi mesh in the Philippines, our expertise allows you to create a stable connection throughout your environment. Talk to us today to learn more about our products and services.
