Managing Network Capacity: How Access Points Affect Main Routers

When deploying a network infrastructure, it's crucial to understand how access points (APs) work in relation to your main router. Often, questions arise about how these devices scale with the number of users and the capacity of the main router. This article delves into the specifics, addressing common misconceptions and providing answers to frequently asked questions.

Understanding Network Capacity

Before we dive into the intricacies, it's important to clarify that routers and access points are typically rated based on their bit rate capacity, not user count. This means that the stated capacity of a router or AP refers to the maximum data transfer rate it can handle, not the number of simultaneous users it can support. In other words, a router capable of handling 100 users can still theoretically transfer data at the same rate regardless of the number of users.

Impact of Access Points on Main Routers

Let's consider a scenario where a router is rated for 100 users but you have three access points, each with 100 users connected to them. Would this count as 300 users or just 3?

Case Study: 3 Access Points with 100 Users Each

In this specific scenario, the main router would manage the load of 300 connected users. Each access point essentially extends the coverage and increases the number of devices that can connect to the network. However, the main router is responsible for managing these devices and ensuring that everyone has access to the internet.

Key Considerations

1. Data Transfer Rate vs. User Count: The primary capacity limitation is the upstream link or the connection to the internet service provider (ISP). While access points can manage device connections, the ISP imposes limits on the number of concurrent connections. These limits are usually derived from the upstream link capacity and not the individual APs or routers.

2. Private IP Addressing: If each access point uses a unique private IP address pool (often through a virtual LAN or VLAN), users can still access the internet. However, the main router must be capable of handling the total number of users.

3. Main Router Capabilities: The main router's specifications, such as its processor speed and total addressable users, play a crucial role. For instance, if the main router is rated for 100 users but 200 users attempt to connect, performance might degrade, leading to slow speeds and potential connection drops. It's essential to ensure that the main router can handle the total number of users.

4. Network Design: Proper network design is crucial. Using repeater technology should be avoided as it can introduce signal degradation and disrupt network performance. Instead, use wired connections between access points and the main router.

In Practice

For the sake of practicality, let's summarize the key points:

The total number of active users, regardless of which access point, is what counts. Each access point should have a wired connection to the network, whether it's through a secondary router or a direct connection to the main router. Repeaters should be avoided for optimal performance. The main router must have the necessary capacity to handle the total number of users.

By understanding these principles, network administrators and IT professionals can design efficient and scalable network infrastructures, ensuring optimal performance and user satisfaction.

Conclusion

Access points significantly extend the coverage and capacity of your network, but the main router is still responsible for managing all connected devices. If your network is configured correctly, with wired connections and a capable main router, you can effectively handle a large number of users without performance degradation.