A 5-point comparison of enterprise Wi-Fi access points and
SOHO Wi-Fi routers for home use
If we have Wi-Fi, we have everything – it’s as true at home as it is at work. But enterprise and home uses have different requirements for the technology. Our expert, László Fodor will show why it’s not worth trying a home solution in a professional environment. He compares enterprise Wi-Fi access points (APs) and Wi-Fi routers for home use, highlighting and categorising the key differences.
1. Performance and Capacity
Enterprise Wi-Fi system:
Higher performance and capacity. The enterprise Wi-Fi system needs to handle extra workloads, up to hundreds or thousands of connected devices (printers, tablets, mobiles, devices communicating through Wi-Fi or IoT), larger networks and more traffic. It must be able to handle content with different characteristics (VoIP, corporate resources, file sharing, etc.) with perfect quality. This is why enterprise Wi-Fi systems adapt to networks and traffic of this size and are subjected to extensive performance testing by manufacturers, which shows that such a system can serve up to 10,000 clients, typically with 200 to 2,000 clients connected per AP.
Wi-Fi router for home use:
It usually has lower performance and capacity, and can serve fewer devices connected at the same time, which is to the size of an average household. Suitable for home use, but less scalable than an enterprise system.
2. Security
Enterprise Wi-Fi system
It has strong security features such as complex authentication systems. It supports a high level of encryption and protection of business data. It also provides tightly controlled access to the system itself (usually secured by an external authentication server) and the ability to track and trace attack attempts against the system and its clients. Manufacturers constantly work on implementing the latest security solutions and patching vulnerabilities that are usually found in older but still supported systems.
Wi-Fi router for home use
It usually has only basic security features which may not be suitable for handling sensitive corporate data. Its configuration is much easier due to its simplicity and does not necessarily require expertise. Devices often do not receive the most basic security updates, or only very late, and therefore do not provide the same level of protection as enterprise solutions.
3. Manageability and Configurability:
Enterprise Wi-Fi system:
It usually has a more complex interface, allowing for more in-depth configuration and customisation. It supports centralised network management tools and protocols, giving you the flexibility to adapt to corporate IT policies and requirements, whether automated or AI-driven.
Wi-Fi router for home use:
It has a simpler, more intuitive interface that is easy to use for home users. For this reason, it usually has more limited configuration options. It is designed for smaller networks and therefore less scalable.
4. Fault Tolerance and Reliability
Enterprise Wi-Fi system:
It has sophisticated error recovery mechanisms that enable redundant configuration and automatic troubleshooting. Examples of such mechanisms are Auto Cell Sizing, AI-RRM, etc., which are constantly optimised and new solutions are also developed by manufacturers. These technologies guarantee high availability and maximise user experience.
Wi-Fi router for home use:
It has no or only basic troubleshooting and debugging features, which usually amount to a reboot. These devices are stable under light loads but may be more prone to failure under higher loads. At this point, some or all connected clients may experience slowdowns and network anomalies.
5. Prices and Costs
Enterprise Wi-Fi system:
Generally priced higher as it offers a professional level of functionality and performance. Additional costs may be associated with installation, configuration and maintenance – in the form of upgrades. Further expansion of the basic system with new access points is possible within certain limits, so the system can be scalable in terms of cost.
Wi-Fi router for home use:
It is more affordable and has lower running costs, as it requires less expertise in installation and maintenance.
6. Warranty and Manufacturer Support:
Enterprise Wi-Fi system:
Manufacturers do not let go of the users’ hands even after the purchase. They provide a high level of manufacturer support, help with troubleshooting, analyse the problem in detail and offer a solution, whether it’s a configuration setting or a software update. A lifetime warranty is common for enterprise systems, with the failed device replaced by the manufacturer within a short time.
Wi-Fi router for home use:
We can talk about basic (“best effort”) or forum-type manufacturer support for these products. More critical bugs are usually fixed on relatively new devices. After a few years, you can no longer expect major updates or bug fixes. For configuration settings, we can usually rely on forums and other users’ experiences in addition to the manufacturer’s manual. Warranty is typically 1 to 2 years maximum.
Conclusion
It is important to stress that the two uses are fundamentally different. While corporate Wi-Fi systems focus on the perfect operation of one function, which is basically the implementation of a bridge between the wired network and the wireless clients (of course they may also provide other, additional functions), home Wi-Fi routers function as a “mule”. They usually include a multi-port switch, modem, router, sometimes basic security features, and can also act as network data storage.
There are significant differences in performance, functionality and security between enterprise Wi-Fi access points and Wi-Fi routers for home use. While home routers may be suitable for small numbers of users in the home, higher performance as well as more secure and scalable solutions are required in the corporate environment to ensure efficient network operation and protection of corporate data. The specific needs and requirements of the environment should be taken into account when picking the right solution.