User Manual

What are a root access point and an extender
access point?
The NETGEAR WAC540 access point can function in an Insight Instant Mesh WiFi network
as a root access point or as an extender access point:
•
Root access point. A mesh-capable access point that is set up with a wired
connection to your network and functions as a gateway to another mesh-capable
access point that functions as an extender. On the root access point, make sure that
you use one Ethernet port for the connection to your network. (On the WAC540
access point, use the LAN 1 port.) A root access point can service multiple extender
access points simultaneously.
•
Extender access point. A mesh-capable access point that functions as an extender
access point with a WiFi backhaul connection to a root access point that provides
Internet connectivity. The extender access point is not connected to your network
over a wired connection but over a WiFi connection.
What is an Insight Instant Mesh WiFi
network?
A mesh WiFi network consists of at least one mesh-capable root access point and one
or more extender access points that connect to the root access point over WiFi (see
What are a root access point and an extender access point? on page 45). The root access
point is connected over Ethernet to a router or Internet gateway and provides Internet
access to its extender access points. The root access point and extender access points
work together to cover a potentially large area with WiFi network, which is the mesh
network.
A mesh network can be a good solution if you want to bring WiFi to the following
environments:
•
Nearby rooms where cabling is not available (in line of sight and in range of the
current WiFi reception)
•
Neighboring office buildings (in line of sight and in range of the current WiFi
reception)
•
Any environment in which you cannot run cables
User Manual45Install the Access Point in an
Insight Instant Mesh WiFi
Network
Insight Managed Smart Cloud Wireless Access Point AC3000 WAC540 User Manual