Conclusion

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Don't stint on hardware. If you deploy a WLAN that requires more than 20 access points, seriously consider one of the new AP/intelligent box solutions. In many instances such solutions ease the complexity of maintaining and managing the network.

But also realize that the jury is out on which WLAN architecture is better—the one built upon smart APs, or one that is based on the dumb AP/intelligent box technology. One of the reasons for the hesitancy is that not all switched-based WLAN products are equal. For example, products such as those offered by Extreme Networks combine the functionality of a 48-port 10/100 Ethernet wired switch with a system that can manage dumb APs that operate under the 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g standards. Whereas switch-based products from Symbol and Trapeze Networks lack the tight integration between wired and wireless networks offered by the Extreme Networks system. However, unlike Symbol's or Extreme's products, the Trapeze solution offers the ability to detect unauthorized users and rogue APs on the network.

Many times the final decision regarding the AP selection will be based on the size of the WLAN. If deploying a small WLAN that needs only one or two APs, the decision will most likely be to go with one of the smart APs. But for other WLAN teams the access point selection process will be frought with controversy—smart, fat APs; or dumb, thin APs. Do you use an access controller, wireless switch, or wireless router device? For many, while the simple AP/intelligent box vendors take different approaches, the concern is that the additional intelligence built into many of today's enterprise APs puts too much burden on a single device. Just keep in mind that regardless of the type of AP chosen, centralized configuration and management is possible whether the underlying APs are smart, dumb or somewhere in-between.

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