WAP or the wireless access point is hardware that enables wireless devices to link to a wired network using Bluetooth, WiFi, or other such standards of inter connectivity.
WAP typically connects to a router through a wired network and can transmit information between wireless devices such as printers or PCs and wired devices on a given network.
WAPS used for corporations—industrial-grade ones, to be more specific—are rough and rugged, so they sport a DIN rail mount and a metal cover.
There's a reason for their tank-like appearance, though; larger WAPs are precision engineered to withstand operation at a higher level, where overheating can occur in lesser, lower-grade models.
These WAP types are also capable of tolerating exposure to contaminants (e.g., oil, dust, and water) and high humidity as well as a huge number of wireless-to-wired connections thanks to its extra toughness.
Security for WAPs includes CCMP (AES), TKIP, WEP, WDS, IEEE 802.1x/RADIUS, WPA2, and WPA-PSK encryption.
When compared to home consumer models of wireless access points, industrialized WAPs are capable of acting as a client, router, or bridge depending on the operation you want to execute.
Before the dawn of wireless networks, computer network setup for schools, homes, or businesses necessitated a whole gamut of cables through ceilings and walls in order to deliver network access to all devices within a specific area.
The WAPs are supervised by a WLAN Controller that manages automatic adjustments to security, authentication, channels, and RF power.
Controllers can be merged to make a wireless mobility group that permits inter-controller roaming.
These controllers can be part of a mobility domain to grant clients access and admission throughout regional or large office locations too.
This saves administrators overhead and customers time because it can re-authenticate or re-associate with zero or no delay.