Main features
This new WiFi access point is aimed at small and medium-sized businesses that don’t want to spend too much money on a high-end AP, but still want a very good Wi-Fi access point with the new Wi-Fi 6 standard and not have problems with coverage or speed. This model is ideal for almost any environment, as it will provide us with very good wireless performance for a low price, compared to the DAP-X2850 that we have previously reviewed.
wireless features
This new professional AP incorporates Simultaneous dual band with AX1800 class WiFi 6. In the 2.4GHz band we can achieve a speed of up to 574Mbps, thanks to its two internal antennas in MU-MIMO 2T2R configuration. In the 5GHz band we can achieve a speed of up to 1201Mbps, thanks to its two internal antennas in MU-MIMO 2T2R configuration and the Wi-Fi 6 standard. This new equipment incorporates all the standard technologies, specifically, it incorporates all of this:
- beamforming: This technology allows you to focus the WiFi signal on wireless clients, to provide them with the best coverage and speed.
- MU-MIMO: allows us to transfer data to up to two clients simultaneously, as long as they also support MU-MIMO. This allows you to optimize the wireless network and save time, especially when there are many WiFi clients connected.
- OFDMA: It is the star technology of WiFi 6 and is available in 2.4GHz and 5Ghz. It allows us to divide the channel into several sub-channels to speed up the transfer of clients.
- TWT: Allows the AP to put wireless clients on standby, saving a lot of power, perfect for battery powered devices.
Other important features of this WiFi access point is that it has band-steering to broadcast a single SSID on both frequency bands. Regarding safety, this new model supports WPA3 protocol, with the goal of providing the best possible security for wireless clients. In addition, it supports both WPA3-Personal as WPA3-EnterpriseFinally, it also incorporates OWE to encrypt WiFi network without authentication (but with point-to-point encryption of the clients).
Wired Features
This professional AP incorporates one Gigabit Ethernet port for the LAN with PoE+ (802.3at)Therefore, we will have to feed it with a PoE+ switch or with a PoE injector. An important detail is that D-Link also allows you to power this equipment with a 12V transformer, but it is purchased separately. In addition to the Gigabit port for the LAN, we also have an RJ-45 console port for local management tasks.
Taking into account the specifications of this AP, having a Gigabit Ethernet port will be enough to get the most out of the WiFi wireless network, although it is possible that in very specific cases we will have a small bottleneck due to not incorporating a 2.5G Multigigabit port, but if Had they incorporated this port, the AP would be quite expensive.
Software and management options
This professional WiFi access point can be configured in standalone mode, but as soon as we have 2 or more APs in the company or organization, it is worth managing them centrally using software such as Nuclias Connect. As this equipment belongs to the DAP family, we will be able to manage it centrally through Nuclias Connect, either through the DNH-100 hardware controller, or through software installed on a PC that acts as a server. We must remember that the Nuclias Connect software can be installed on a Windows operating system, but we can also put it on a Linux using Docker containers.
Regarding the configuration options available in this model, we must take into account that it integrates perfectly with Nuclias Connect locally, although we can deploy this controller in the cloud, and have a management from a remote server. All the options related to multiple SSIDs, VLAN configuration, captive portal, QoS activation, band-steering configuration and continuous AP monitoring are present with this device.
Unboxing and first impressions
In RedesZone we have recorded a video of the unboxing and first impressions of this AX1800 class WiFi 6 professional access point. What we liked the most about this AP is its size, it is much smaller than the previous DAP-X2850 model that we have previously reviewed, in fact, it is very similar in size to the DAP-2610 with Wi-Fi 5 that we tested previously. In addition, we have also verified that it does not get as hot as it does with the manufacturer’s top-of-the-range model.
It is very important that you keep in mind that this WiFi access point is aimed at a professional public, small and medium-sized companies, so it is ideal for schools, restaurants, hotels, campuses and other places where we are going to connect dozens of WiFi clients simultaneously .
Soon in RedesZone we are going to offer you a complete analysis of this DAP-X2810 Wi-Fi access point, a really interesting model because it has excellent value for money, since we will have an AX1800 dual-band AP for less than €200, and with centralized management thanks to Nuclias Connect. In our analysis you will be able to see the real performance of the equipment, as well as all the configuration options available in Nuclias Connect.
