You don’t use multiple Wi-Fi access points (Mesh Networks)? It is the smartest way to improve speed and coverage, especially in large offices or homes.
You don’t need to struggle with weak signals or slow connections. This setup ensures stable internet everywhere.
In this article, you’ll learn how multiple access points work, why they boost performance, and the best ways to set them up for faster connectivity across your space.
How Does a Mesh Network Work?
Multi-access point networks are also known as mesh networks because of the web of signals they produce around a building.
Mesh networks use various nodes or units, which you can position around your office. Each is usually about the size of a soda can or small coffee thermos.
Each node functions as a “mini-router,” which lets your users connect to them. This way, employees can connect to the nearest one node instead of everyone connecting to a single router that could be far away from their desk.
These nodes don’t just talk to your devices; they talk to one another. One of the nodes connects to your modem and sends the internet connection to all the other access points.
Benefits of Using Wi-Fi with Multiple Access Points
Regardless of the size of your business, upgrading to a multi-access point network can bring you various benefits. Here’s why.
No Slowdowns Due to Overload
One issue that many offices find is that if too much bandwidth is used by too many users simultaneously, everyone’s connection lags.
By using a mesh network, your internet connections are much faster. Multiple nodes share the load and provide speed for every user. If one node starts to get overloaded, another picks up the slack, and users can be routed to a free node to keep their connection speed steady.
Wi-Fi Improve Speed & Coverage
Most wireless access point systems give you literally infinite dosing potential by adding new nodes to reach further with your wireless office signal. Each node typically has a coverage range of 300 to 600 feet. Wi-Fi Increases Speed & Coverage.
This sort of system is significantly more flexible than a single router Wi-Fi, not to mention costs much less to extend your network as your needs grow.
Get Wi-Fi Outside
Want to allow your team to link out to the net from an outside patio? How about sending a signal through a courtyard between two of your buildings?
A mesh network provides far more control over the reach of your wireless network. You can take advantage of nodes meant to be used outside to send your signal wherever you want.
Eliminate Barriers, Dead Zones & Weak Spots
All communications from a single router can have many failure points. If there are thick walls or heavy furniture, it can also block or weaken a signal. Then Wi-Fi Improves Speed. If you have one office that’s far away from your main router, it can be completely left out of coverage.
When using multi-access points, all of these problems can be solved because instead of a single signal, there are several, from every node to each other. This creates a mesh of Wi-Fi that permeates obstacles, providing a robust connection throughout — even in the most remote corners of your office.
Mitigate Downtime
When using a single router for your internet connection, you have only a single point of failure. If that router falls over, your office will be down, and your business will grind to a halt.
When you are using multiple access points, if one of them is down, the other will be filling that gap. This helps avoid downtime and allows your team to be present while the downtime is being resolved.
How Multiple Access Points Improve Wi-Fi Performance
Multiple access points (APs) improve Wi-Fi performance by distributing network traffic more efficiently, reducing congestion, and allowing devices to move between access points without disconnecting. This configuration creates stable connections and speeds that are much faster in densely populated environments such as offices and large homes.
Load Balancing for Faster Speeds
Load balancing allows devices to connect to multiple APs to prevent any single AP from becoming overloaded. This process keeps high-speed internet access up and running by automatically relocating users to the least-loaded access point.
This improves network efficiency by balancing the load, reducing lag and buffering in high-bandwidth use cases like video conferencing and gaming.
The connected world is certainly moving on a path of transformation, where businesses and consumers with multiple connected devices will enjoy seamless and uninterrupted internet experience.
Reducing Network Congestion
Network congestion happens when users compete for limited resources and bandwidth, resulting in reduction in network speed and dropped connections. Multiple APs counter congestion by offloading the traffic being served from multiple access points, and provide each device with the necessary bandwidth.
Even for environments with a host of smart devices and countless video calls and streaming services, congestion on the network can greatly affect the user experience. Channel autocorrelation further mitigates channel interference, while more intelligent positioning of APs leads to increased network reliability.
Seamless Roaming for Devices
Seamless roaming makes it so that devices can jump from one access point to another without disconnecting or lagging. Without multiple APs, moving around far enough while using a single router often results in dead zones and dropped connections.
The end result is about smooth transitions between APs, as long as APs are configured correctly and utilize 802.11k, 802.11v and 802.11r with the other technologies. So if you are on a video call, streaming or playing online, you can move freely without interruptions. That feature is important for people that wander around a big area often.
Best Practices for Setting Up Multiple Access Points
Setting multiple APs properly results in optimal performance, minimal interference, and maximum coverage levels. A WiFi network that is planned with the correct placement, efficient signal management and centralized control is more reliable and less likely to suffer from connectivity issues, providing more net throughput.
Proper Placement for Optimal Coverage
Strategic placement of access points ensures coverage without dead zones and overlapping interference. APs must be placed so that signals barely overlap — but not to the extent that they do (which provides too much overlap) — in order to provide uninterrupted coverage.
Do not put them close to thick walls, metal surfaces, or electronic devices that can block signals. In open environments, the APs are arranged like a grid that allows for equal opportunities for coverage, whereas the right height for signal propagation can be more easily achieved with an appropriate mount.
Avoiding Signal Interference
Signal interference from local Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices and household electronics can all undermine Wi-Fi performance. Avoid interference by assigning different channels and bands to different APs, especially in dense environments.
It helps in managing frequencies better, thus reducing conflicts and enhancing connectivity. Trust that Wi-Fi networks will undergo routine analysis of spectral configuration and performance.
Using a Centralized Controller for Management
A centralized controller helps to manage the devices as a single entity with a single interface for monitoring as well as the configuration of multiple APs.
A controller can automate tasks that would individually have to be configured in each AP (Access Point), such as load balancing, data encryption, and/or prioritizing certain traffic based on a policy.
Cloud-based controllers take flexibility to new heights, enabling remote monitoring and adjustments in real time. A centralized system is necessary for businesses and large network implementations to maximize efficiency, scalability, and security.