What is an Access Point and how does it extend your Wi-Fi?

Crucial questions to ask yourself: Which rooms currently only have a weak signal coverage or lack strong Wi-Fi altogether? And where do you absolutely need a better signal? Where are most of the devices located that rely on a strong Wi-Fi connection?

If, for instance, you are concerned about just one room on the same floor as the router, or a smart device that receives a slightly weak Wi-Fi signal and needs a boost to function properly, using a flexible Wi-Fi repeater might be sufficient.

On the other hand, if you have a complete home office or entertainment center with numerous devices that require fast Wi-Fi and LAN connections, perhaps even on a different floor, then it is advisable to invest in an Access Point. You should position it centrally within the desired expansion area to achieve optimal results.

If your goal is to provide Wi-Fi to multiple rooms and devices, it's best to position your Access Point as close and centrally as possible. This helps ensure a relatively even distribution of the Wi-Fi signal. Pro tip: Consider using a PoE Access Point (Power over Ethernet) as it eliminates the need for an external power source, making the placement more flexible.

Things get a bit more complex when you have devices in one or more rooms that can benefit from a LAN connection. In our guide on Ethernet, you can learn about the applications and devices that require it.

So, if you want to supply a Smart TV, a home office PC, a gaming console, or other data-hungry devices with a particularly stable and fast internet connection, you'll need to run LAN cables from the Access Point to each room where such devices are located.

When wiring the router to the Access Point and connecting any other devices, it's essential to use an appropriate cable standard. You'll come across network cables of different categories in stores, such as CAT 5, CAT 6, CAT 7, and CAT 8.

These categories differ in various specifications, including transmission speed and distance capabilities. For home users, a CAT 5 network cable is generally sufficient. With data rates of up to 1 Gbps, it is more than fast enough and provides a decent range of 100 meters.

To lay LAN cables inconspicuously, you can run them along baseboards and door frames. Additional aids such as flat cables and cable channels can help keep the unsightly wires as discreet as possible.

Once you have placed your Access Point and made the necessary connections, you can finally focus on the setup process. The exact setup procedure varies depending on the device, but the following aspects are important and should be considered.

If your Access Point is Dual-Band capable – supporting both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands – you should enable this option in the Wi-Fi settings of your device. Additionally, you should configure your SSID (Service Set Identifier), which determines the name under which this second Wi-Fi network will be displayed within your network environment.