Dap-2690 A Dual Band Access Point With Advanced Business Class Security Features

By Author: Ki Grinsing
Total Articles: 82
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DAP-2690 is designed for business class networks. Should you need a multifunction wireless access point for homes or SOHO - consider DAP-1360 range extender. DAP-1360 has the same multi-operation modes as DAP-2690 does, but DAP-2690 has more advanced security features for business class networks. Or if you are not sure whether you need a wireless router or a wireless AP for your home network, you can consider ASUS Rt-N13u. Asus Rt-N13u is a single device with access point and router functions.

Unlike its predecessor DAP-2590 AirPremier access point which is designed with selectable dual-band, DAP-2690 AirPremier access point is designed with simultaneous dual-band. With simultaneous dual-band, your wireless environment will support all the wireless clients with mixed frequency bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) at the same time. 5 GHz frequency band is typically used for video and gaming application which is clearer band than 2.4 GHz band. There are many sources of signal attenuator that operates in 2.4 GHz band which interfere with your wireless devices which operate in 2.4 GHz band such as microwave oven, garage controller, ...
... baby monitor and more. If your environment will be used solely for multimedia traffic (video or voice), consider DAP-2590 which can be selected to operate in 5 GHz.

Dap-2690 is powered by the latest wireless standard 802.11n, delivering the signal rates of up to 300Mbps (in ideal conditions) in both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless band. It supports the Wi-Fi WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia) QoS you can enable to provide prioritization of audio, video, and voice application traffic such as VoIP.

Enterprise Class Security

Unlike home type wireless APs which support personal version WPA/WPA2, the DAP-2690 supports both personal and Enterprise version WPA/WPA2 with support RADIUS server for the authentication and authorization management. Other security controls are also included such as Rogue AP Detection, Wireless Broadcast Scheduling, MAC address filter, SSID broadcast disable (to hide your networks from un-authorized network scanning), and WLAN egmentations.

The good thing with this device is that it supports up to 8 VLANs per band to allow you create multiple SSIDs. With multiple SSIDs support, you can segregate the networks based on the security policy settings that meet your business needs for different groups of users. For example, you can create separate SSID for your business partners to allow them access the internet whenever they visit your business site without providing access to your critical business resources.

Good news for networks with Windows 2008 infrastructure, the DAP-2690 supports NAP (network access protection) to allow you define multiple levels of network access based on individual client's need. Clients who are identified outside of their access area, they will be brought back to their permitted network access level automatically.

Multiple Operation Modes

Based on your business needs DAP-2690 can be configured to operate in one of the following modes:
1. Access Point (AP) mode, With AP mode, you can extend your wired network wirelessly. Connect the Ethernet LAN port (10/100/1000 Mbps) to one of your Gigabit LAN Switch ports (with PoE support would be beneficial). Why Gigabit LAN Switch? Your DAP-2690 supports gigabit Ethernet port, so you should utilize its gigabit power. Deployments the device in areas where power outlets are not available yet is not the problem since the port supports the PoE (power over Ethernet).
2. WDS with Access point (AP). With WDS support you can deploy multiple access points to create large wireless networks without the need of backbone cable.
3. WDS with bridge mode, without the need to broadcast as the access point.
4. Wireless clients

Like in wired system with multi-switch deployment, in multiple APs deployment with WDS modes, the system is prone to develop a broadcast storm phenomenon. But with the Spanning tree protocol this DAP-2690 supports, you can avoid this broadcast storm phenomenon.

With many business class features this device supports, the DAP-2690 is an ideal solution for extending network to large wireless LANs that meet your business needs. But this device is not good for outdoor environment, because it is not designed to withstand any types of outdoor harsh environments. For outdoor environment, AP devices must be designed to operate under extreme temperature changes, weather-proof, water-tight, rust resistant, and must be embedded with the surge protection.

By Ki Grinsing

Ki Grinsing was graduated from ITS-Surabaya with the additions of MCSE / CCNA certifications and prolonged years of working experiences in IT projects. Please visit the articles: dap-2690 dual-band access point >/a> and tew-653ap access point.