In the recent years TP-Link came up with very economical enterprise grade Access Points (AP) which provide wide range of features. Most importantly, thy provide a software Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) at no cost. There is no additional licenses fee for either AP or WLC. Also, access point cost is only ¼ of a Cisco AP cost.
More About TP-Link Access Points
All enterprise TP-Link AP are equipped with PoE (At least passive PoE). Dual band (2.4GHz & 5GHz) AP price start from USD 100 and 2.4GHz only AP price start form cheap as USD 50. So, there is no other explanation needed to show its cost effectiveness. Following are some AP models and current market prices.
Tp-link EAP110 – Around $50
Tp-link EAP115 – Around $60
Tp-link AC1350 – Around $100
Tp-Link EAP320 – Around $160
Tp-Link CAP1750 – Around $180
Tp-Link AC1900 – Around $210
TP-Link EAP660 HD AX3600 – Around $600
More About TP-Link Wireless LAN Controller
WLC is a unit which can control and manger multiple AP. This include creating wireless networks (SSID), setting authentications and control wireless mobility.
Omada is Tp-Link’s cloud lined WLC solution. It is possible to link Omada WLC to Tp-Link cloud and cloud is a free service. Not one controller, you can add all your Omada WLC in different geographical locations to Tp-Link cloud. Then, all locations can be managed just log in to Tp-Link cloud ( https://omada.tplinkcloud.com/). This is a fantastic option for distributed businesses where they can control all Wi-Fi network from a single location with a less administration staff.
The TP-Link Omada WLC can be installed in a Windows or Linux computer. It’s working perfectly fine with Ubuntu server. There is no license requirement of this WLC. Further, you can add any number of AP to WLC. However, while installing the WLC, please set appropriate sizing. The software WLC can be installed in a virtualized environment such as vMware or Hyper-v.
If a hardware Omada WLC is needed, it can be purchase under USD 100. It can manage up to 100 APs, also; supports PoE. This is a perfect WLC for a small to medium office.
What’s New in Guest Network?
The TP-Link offers captive portal for guest networks. Also, captive portal can be highly customizable with background images, color and company logo. The captive portal offer lot of latest methods for authentication. Following list of options can be enabled for captive portal.
1. Guest users and passwords.
User accounts can be created with an expiration time. Per user bandwidth restorations can be added.
2. Onetime passcodes
Onetime passcodes can be created with a validity duration (eg: 8 hours). Also, bandwidth restrictions can be added per passcode.
3. Facebook Check-In
User will be redirected to you company FB page. Once the user clicks “Check-In”, he will get access to internet.
4. SMS authentication
The service needs to be integrated with “Twilio”.
For Enterprise
The authentication method can be set as RADIUS where it gives you endless possibilities of integrating with 3rd part solutions like certificate-based sign in, AD integration and 3rd party access control solutions.
Summary
These are perfectly match for hotel industry and many more. Most importantly, FB check-in option for guest network can do social media marketing free of charge. For instance, once a user clicks “check-in” on your hotel web page, it will be added to his news feed which shows your hotel FB page to all his friend list.
Overall, Tp-Link came up a long way and now listed in the Gartner reports too in the Wireless network segment. Also, their Omada based wireless solutions are very practical and very cost effective for both indoor and outdoor networks.
Reference Links
SMS integration - https://www.tp-link.com/us/configuration-guides/configuration_guide_for_sms_portal_on_eap_controller/#_idTextAnchor000
Gartner Report - https://www.fortinet.com/blog/business-and-technology/fortinet-recognized-as-visionary-in-2020-gartner-magic-quadrant-for-wired-wireless-lan-access-infrastructure
Omada Controller experience Link - https://emulator.tp-link.com/omada-controller/index.html
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