Question Cheapest way to set up an AP from a none-WiFi switch ?

[sponge_b0b]

Hi,

I would like to setup a simple WiFi network from a LAN switch.

Of course I could use any router/AP device (like a Mikrotik hAP lite ) that actually almost fit my need, and it come at a very good price !

But I rather have something that handle at least Gigabit Ethernet port ! and WiFi data rate that is >= 500 Mbit/s

and also something that have a form factor small ! (first I was even considering a WiFi dongle on a laptop )

Any ideas ?

Thanks.

 

[bill001g]

Not sure what you are looking for. You seem to know you can use pretty much any router as a AP. That mikrotik one is a very fancy LTE ones. Almost all routers now have gigabit ports, you have to buy very cheap units to only get 100mbps.

Not sure your question. You should be able to pretty much search for a router that has the wifi specs you want and is of a physical size you like and check it has gigabit ports.

The primary reason you would buy a actual AP is if you wanted to use POE power. That tend to be key things that is different between a router used as AP and a device designed to be a AP.

 

[sponge_b0b]

Thank you very much @bill001g

The model that I referenced was just for the example. but in that brand I can't find something in the same price range ~$25-50 with 1000mbps Ethernet & WiFi ? or I missed something ? or if someone have an alternative ?

...
The primary reason you would buy a actual AP is if you wanted to use POE power. That tend to be key things that is different between a router used as AP and a device designed to be a AP.

Thank you very-much for your last paragraph !


If someone know good brand/models ( That are OpenSource minded ) and have tiny devices that could act as WiFi AP, I'm all ears

 

[sponge_b0b]

There ! I've found something that match what ~ I need
https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networking/wifi-router/tl-wr802n/#overview

Super tiny + low consumption

I'm still all ears if you know similar devices

 

[bill001g]

That is almost trash. It might have a gigabit ethernet but you will not even get 100mbps on wifi. It is a older 802.11n router that only runs on 2.4g. Even on most modern routers using the most advanced protocols you will not get 100mbps on 2.4g radio band.

Your problem I suspect is you are looking for small size as the primary factor. There are many so called travel routers that are like that but most are far outside your price range to get ones that have somewhat reasonable performance.

I would at a very minimum look for a router that has a 1200 number on it. You might get 300mbps on that.

So here is some random stuff I found on amazon. It is one of those silly cylinder routers but it is smaller than many.
https://www.amazon.com/D-Link-Smartbeam-App-Enabled-Dual-Band-DIR-868L/dp/B00C9VB318