Access Points
LevelOne Access Points: Reliable and Cost-Effective WLAN for Home, SOHO, and Small Businesses
A stable and sufficiently fast WLAN network is a fundamental requirement today for private households, home offices (SOHO), and small businesses to work productively and enjoy digital content. LevelOne Access Points (APs) are designed to provide reliable wireless connectivity at an attractive price-performance ratio. Focusing on simple setup, solid performance for everyday applications, and support for common Wi-Fi standards (like Wi-Fi 5 and increasingly Wi-Fi 6), LevelOne enables the straightforward creation or expansion of WLAN networks. Whether you want to improve WLAN coverage in your home, set up a guest network, or supply workstations with wireless internet – LevelOne offers practical and accessible solutions. Discover at etree how LevelOne Access Points can optimize your wireless connections.
LevelOne focuses on making WLAN technology simple and affordable to meet the basic connectivity needs of a broad user base.
Why LevelOne Access Points? The Convincing Advantages in Detail:
- Very Good Price-Performance Ratio: LevelOne APs often offer solid WLAN performance and key features at costs that are particularly attractive for price-sensitive projects.
- Easy Installation and Configuration: The emphasis is on uncomplicated commissioning, usually via an intuitive web-based user interface (standalone management).
- Solid WLAN Performance for Standard Applications: Support for current Wi-Fi standards like Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for good speeds and reliable connections in everyday use.
- Support for Essential Network Functions: Features like Multiple SSIDs for creating separate networks (e.g., for guests and internal users) and VLAN tagging for network segmentation are often available.
- PoE Power Supply for Flexible Mounting: Many models support Power over Ethernet (PoE according to IEEE 802.3af/at standards), which simplifies installation in optimal locations without direct power outlets.
- Various Form Factors for Different Environments: Offerings often include ceiling-mount APs for broad coverage, wall-mount APs, or even weatherproof outdoor models.
- Reliability for Daily Operation: Designed for stable use in home networks, small offices, and similar environments.
- Ideal for Basic Equipment or Expansion: Well-suited for cost-effectively expanding existing networks with WLAN or building a basic WLAN infrastructure.
The World of LevelOne Access Points in Detail: Models and Technologies
LevelOne offers Access Points that differ in supported WLAN standards, form factor, and management options:
Supported Wi-Fi Standards – From Proven to Modern:
- Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n): Found in older or very budget-friendly models. Offers basic WLAN functionality, primarily in the 2.4 GHz band.
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): A widespread standard that provides good speeds in the 5 GHz band and dual-band operation. Many LevelOne APs are based on this technology.
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): The newer standard offering higher efficiency, better performance with many devices (thanks to OFDMA and MU-MIMO), higher data rates, and improved security (WPA3). LevelOne is increasingly introducing Wi-Fi 6 APs to its range.
Form Factors and Typical Application Areas:
- Ceiling-Mount Access Points: Often round, unobtrusive designs ("smoke detector look"), optimized for central ceiling mounting to provide even 360-degree coverage in offices, hallways, or larger rooms.
- Wall-Mount Access Points / Wall-Plate APs: Some models are specifically designed for wall mounting or installation in flush-mounted boxes (wall-plate), ideal for hotel rooms, classrooms, or offices where a discreet installation with possibly additional LAN ports is desired.
- Outdoor Access Points: Weatherproof housings (e.g., IP65 or higher) protect the electronics from rain, dust, and extreme temperatures to provide WLAN in outdoor areas such as patios, yards, or storage areas.
- Desktop Access Points: Less common as dedicated APs; sometimes these are routers with a configurable AP mode.
Management Options – Mostly Standalone:
Most LevelOne Access Points are designed for standalone operation. Configuration is done individually for each AP via an integrated, web-based user interface (Web GUI), accessed through a browser. For smaller installations with few APs, this is often sufficient. Some models or series might offer basic "cluster" functions or management via simple, free software for a limited number of APs, but a complex cloud or hardware controller system like those from enterprise brands is less of a focus here.
Key Technologies and Features of LevelOne Access Points:
Wi-Fi Standards and Their Advantages
LevelOne APs leverage the benefits of respective Wi-Fi generations: Dual-band operation (2.4 GHz for range, 5 GHz for speed and less interference) is standard with Wi-Fi 5 and 6. MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) allows multiple parallel data streams. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) adds important technologies like OFDMA (more efficient allocation of radio channels with many clients), 1024-QAM (higher data modulation), Target Wake Time (TWT) (longer battery life for clients), and BSS Coloring (reduction of co-channel interference).
Security Standards for Your Wireless Network
Support for common encryption standards like WPA2 (AES) is a given. Newer models with Wi-Fi 6 often also support the more secure WPA3 standard (Personal and Enterprise), which offers improved protection against brute-force attacks and stronger encryption.
Multiple SSIDs and VLAN Tagging
The ability to broadcast multiple wireless network names (Multiple SSIDs) is an important feature. Each SSID can be assigned to its own VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network). This allows for logical separation of networks, e.g., for employees, guests, and IoT devices, which improves security and organization.
Power over Ethernet (PoE – IEEE 802.3af/at)
Most LevelOne business and outdoor APs are powered via PoE. This means power and data are delivered over a single network cable, which significantly simplifies installation, especially in hard-to-reach locations (ceilings, exterior walls), as no separate power outlet near the AP is needed.
Antenna Technology and Coverage
LevelOne APs mostly use internal antennas designed for omnidirectional or optimized radiation in typical deployment environments. The number and quality of antennas, as well as the MIMO configuration (e.g., 2x2, 3x3), influence the range and data throughput.
Basic Guest Network Functions
Often, the APs offer the ability to set up an isolated guest WLAN that allows internet access but prevents access to the internal network. Simple captive portal functions might also be present on some models.
Which LevelOne Access Point for Which Use? – Application Examples:
- Improving WLAN coverage in homes or home offices: A single or multiple strategically placed LevelOne Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 APs.
- Setting up a cost-effective WLAN for small offices, practices, retail stores, or workshops: Several ceiling or wall-mount APs to serve employees and possibly a separate guest network.
- Providing a simple and secure guest WLAN for customers or visitors.
- Supplying WLAN to outdoor areas such as patios, small yards, or entrance areas (with LevelOne outdoor AP models).
- Retrofitting WLAN in rooms that only have an Ethernet port (using wall-plate APs).
- As an entry-level solution for small businesses needing a reliable basic WLAN infrastructure.
What to Look for When Buying a LevelOne Access Point? A Checklist:
- Required Wi-Fi Standard: Is Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) sufficient for your current client devices and needs, or would you benefit from the advantages of Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) in terms of efficiency and capacity?
- Deployment Environment: Indoor or outdoor? Size of the area, number of walls/obstacles, user density?
- Management: Is standalone configuration sufficient, or is there a desire for simple central management for a few APs?
- Coverage Area and Antennas: Is a single AP enough, or are multiple needed? Internal antennas with suitable characteristics?
- PoE Supply: Is a PoE switch or injector available/planned? Which PoE standard does the AP require?
- Security Requirements: WPA2/WPA3? Separate networks for guests and internal users?
- Number of SSIDs and VLAN Support: Are multiple virtual networks via the AP needed?
- Data Throughput and Expected Client Count:
- Mounting Options: Ceiling, wall, desktop?
- Budget: LevelOne APs are typically attractively priced.
At etree, you will find a selection of LevelOne Access Points. Use our product filters and detailed descriptions to find the AP that optimally and cost-effectively meets your WLAN requirements.