The so-called thin AP generally refers to wireless gateway or bridge, and the fat AP generally refers to wireless routing.

First of all, the difference:

1. Thin AP is mainly used in demanding environments. In order to realize authentication, an authentication server or switch supporting authentication function is usually needed. If the thin AP needs a dedicated wireless controller, it can only be used by the wireless controller, and it cannot be configured by itself, which is suitable for large-scale wireless deployment.

2. Fat AP is mostly used in families and small networks with complete functions. Generally, a device can realize access, authentication, routing, VPN, address translation and even firewall functions.

Second, the use of occasions

The applicable place of 1.fat AP:

Fat AP can be used as a wireless router, which is generally used in home networks, small offices or small supermarkets and restaurants.

2. Applicable places of thin AP:

Thin AP is a wireless network node, which cannot be used alone. It must be used in conjunction with AC services to expand the coverage of wireless networks. Generally, thin AP is suitable for schools, large offices or hotels and guesthouses.

Functions owned by wireless AP

1, an important function of AP is relay. The so-called relay is to amplify the wireless signal between two wireless points once so that the remote client can receive a stronger wireless signal.

For example, I put an AP at point A and a client at point C, with a distance of120m. The signal from point A to point C is weakened a lot, so I put an AP as a relay 60 meters halfway from point B, which can effectively enhance the signal of the client at point C and ensure the transmission speed and stability.

2. Another important function of 2.AP is bridging. Bridging is to link two endpoints and realize data transmission between two wireless access points. If you want to connect two wired LANs, you will generally choose to bridge through AP.

For example, I have a wired LAN composed of 15 computers at point A and a wired LAN composed of 25 computers at point B. However, the distance between points ab is far away, exceeding 100 meters, so it is impossible to connect by wire, so I need to set up an AP at point A and point B respectively.

Turn on the AP bridge function, so that the local area networks at ab two points can transmit data to each other. It should be reminded that for AP without WDS function, these two points are not covered by wireless signals after bridging.

Reference to the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia -AP

Thin AP is a bridge of wireless networks, which uses wireless transmission to build a communication bridge between two or more networks; Wireless bridges are divided into circuit bridges and data bridges from the communication mechanism. The network model is effective: there are no tall obstacles (peaks or buildings).

Fat AP: the access point (hotspot) of wireless network, which mainly includes routing switching access integrated equipment and pure access point equipment. Integrated devices perform access and routing, while pure access devices are only responsible for the access of wireless clients. Pure access devices are usually used as extensions of wireless networks. Network mode acts on: broadband home, campus, park, warehouse and factory.

Extended data

Advantages of using ap network:

1, easy to install. Wireless LAN can avoid or minimize the workload of network wiring. Usually, as long as one or more access point devices are installed, a local area network covering the whole area can be established.

It is easy to plan and adjust the network. For wired networks, the change of office location or network topology usually means the reconstruction of the network. Reconnecting is an expensive, time-consuming, wasteful and trivial process, which can be avoided or reduced by WLAN.

reference data

Baidu encyclopedia-thin AP

Baidu encyclopedia-fat AP

What does the wireless panel mean?

For controller management, AP is a thin AP mode.

Without controller management, AP runs alone, which is fat AP mode.

Fat and thin integration means that AP supports the above two modes. For example, our wireless routes are operated separately, so they are all fat AP, fat AP forwards management data by itself, thin AP is controller management control, and all data is controller management.

What do flt and fat mean on a wifi router?

FatAP integrates the functions of WLAN physical layer, user data encryption, user authentication, QoS, network management, roaming technology and other application layers. FatAP wireless network solution can be directly formed by FatAP on the basis of wired network. _atAP equipment is complex in structure and difficult to be managed centrally.

FitAP is an AP with only encryption and RF functions, which has a single function and cannot work independently. The whole FitAP wireless network solution is based on wired network and consists of AC and FitAP.

Extended data

Wireless AP can usually be divided into fat AP and thin AP. We usually say AP, and the following refers to thin AP. Fat and thin AP is not distinguished by appearance, but by working principle and function. Of course, some fat AP can really be distinguished from the appearance. For example, a person with a WAN port must be a fat AP.

In addition to wireless access, fat AP generally has WAN and LAN ports and supports security functions such as DHCP server, DNS and MAC address cloning, VPN access and firewall. Fat AP usually has its own complete operating system, which is a network device that can work independently and can realize functions such as dialing and routing. A typical example is our common wireless router.

Thin AP, the image is understood as slimming the fat AP, removing many loading functions such as routing, DNS, DHCP server, and only retaining the wireless access part. It is equivalent to a wireless switch or hub, and only provides wired/wireless signal conversion and wireless signal reception/transmission functions. As a part of WLAN, thin AP cannot work independently, and must cooperate with AC management to become a complete system.