6.2.2019

This is a business-grade wi-fi access point from Linksys, one of several companies which provides decent networking gear at sensible prices.I am reviewing a single unit, but kit like this comes into its own when you need strong coverage throughout a large building. The big feature is the cloud manager which makes setup and management of multiple access points very straightforward. In essence, just connect the access point to your switch with an Ethernet cable, then go online and add the access point to your wifi network by typing in the serial number and MAC address.You can then add one or more SSIDs which will automatically be used by all the access points in your network. For example,you could have an SSID for private use and another one for guests. You can use VLAN tags to block the guest wifi from your local network, and client isolation to prevent one wifi client from connecting to another.Roaming between access points should be automatic, and there is an option for 802.11k support which helps clients to find the best access point when moving between them. I haven’t tested this though as I only have one unit.The cloud manager is good but has limited features. For example, you can configure a splash screen and require users to enter a password (separate from any WPA password) but you cannot connect to a directory for authentication, only specify a single password for all users.Nevertheless, the cloud manager is a great feature and fine for configuring wifi access for a small business, for example. You can view activity data and get notifications if an access point goes offline.You get five years free usage of cloud manager. After that, Linksys might charge a fee.If you don’t want to use cloud manager, either because you need more features, or if you don’t like the idea, you can simply log onto the access point with a browser and click to disable cloud manager. This reveals the full configuration features. I particularly like the cluster feature, which lets you apply the same settings automatically to multiple access points, just like cloud manager. The captive portal feature lets you set up a splash page and use either a local user database, or a RADIUS server for authentication.Physically the AC 1750 is a hexagonal device similar in size and appearance to a typical smoke alarm. You can mount it on wall or ceiling with the supplied mounting plate and screws. Note that you do need an Ethernet cable for each unit; this is not like a mesh system where units connect to each other wirelessly. Power comes either from PoE if you have a suitable switch, or you can use the supplied mains adaptor. Maximum power consumption is 15W, slightly on the high side compared to some of its competition.Note that the unit is not specified for mounting outside.Performance is good, with a Gigabit LAN port, both 2.4 and 5 GHz channels, and 802.11ac support. Range was fair but not exceptional in my brief tests – essentially I just walked around with a smartphone observing when the connection dropped.I did experience one odd problem with the unit. Printing to my wireless-connected printer did not work and of course I fiddled with the printer and rebooted a PC trying to fix it. It turned out that the access point was blocking connection somehow, and it was rebooting the access point that fixed it. I’m hoping this was just an issue with initial setup and that it won’t repeat.[UPDATE] I believe I have figured out the reason for this problem. The cloud manager will configure the same SSID name for both 2.4 and 5GHz radios. However they are technically two SSIDs. The access point isolates SSIDs from each other. You can disable this in the local configuration but not in cloud manager. There seems to be a bug as well, since immediately after a reboot SSID isolation does not apply, but it does kick in later (if using cloud manager). My printer only supports 2.4 GHz so only fix for me is not to use cloud manager.Overall I like this device which is very easy to configure, especially with cloud manager, and works well. I also like that you have the choice between cloud or direct configuration. I’d like to see a few more features in the cloud manager and expect it to improve as it is relatively new.

15.2.2019

This is Linksys' attempt to play with the big boys and compete with the likes of Cisco Meraki, Aruba, et al. Accordingly, the access point can be managed via Linksys' cloud portal, which purports to offer wide-scale management of an organisation's entire wireless infrastructure.However, in practice... don't. Just don't.Ignoring the glaringly obvious operational and security holes implicit in offloading network management to an external platform (my day job is security; this fad is... troublesome), even if you're willing to sacrifice your network's security to the hip and trendy buzzword of "cloud", Linksys' platform simply isn't up to the job.While evaluating the AP I tested several functions to see how they were configured and behaved in use.I tried to disable the AP's radio.The cloud portal reported that the radio was disabled. The AP, on the other hand, was adamant that its radio was still very much enabled, and every wireless client in the vicinity agreed with the AP. Nothing I could do would convince the cloud portal that the radio hadn't been disabled.So I reset the AP, deleted it from the portal, re-added it, and started again.The cloud portal offers the facility to manage the AP admin logins, either on a site-wide or AP-specific basis. As this is meant to be - laughingly - an enterprise-grade product, I stuck with the site-wide account management. The astute reader will not be surprised to learn that the AP's admin login did not get updated, no matter how many times I tried to configure a username and password on the cloud portal.Then I looked at wireless authentication/encryption options. All I could find in the cloud portal was open (no encryption) or WPA2 with a passphrase. No sign of RADIUS, or WPA2 Enterprise, or any other form of authentication other than the most basic. Fine for a home user, but not encouraging for an allegedly enterprise-grade bit of kit.The user manual was of no help in this regard; it is very light in detail, and is of a standard I would expect for equipment aimed at a home user. If this stuff is marketed at businesses, I would expect a dense manual detailing every single protocol, every single configuration setting, and every option for control, auditing, and troubleshooting. But no. The user is expected to click through web pages randomly and without success in the vain hope of finding something which might be appropriate.At this point I gave up entirely on the "cloud" nonsense and switched the AP from cloud to local management. Then all of the useful features appeared:There are several authentication/encryption options, including the above-mentioned RADIUS and WPA2 Enterprise.There are lots of logging, auditing, and management features, including e-mail, SNMP v1/v2/v3, syslog, and more.The AP supports a captive portal, of the sort commonly seen in hotels, Internet cafes, and other "guest" networks.The AP supports client isolation, preventing wireless clients from communicating directly with each other.The AP supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, with up to 8 SSIDs for each.The AP supports untagged and tagged VLANs, and can assign a discrete VLAN for management-only traffic.The AP supports NTP for accurate time synchronisation.The user can install a signed SSL certificate for the Web interface, something which many organisations may require as standard.The AP supports scheduling, rate limiting and QoS.The AP has a "rogue AP detection" feature, very useful for discovering if any of one's users have introduced an unauthorised wireless network into the premises.The AP apparently supports AP roaming, but I have only one of these so was unable to test this feature.Throughput appears to be adequate, saturating the network's WAN link (until rate limiting and QoS were enabled!)The AP does not appear to expose an SSH interface; HTTP/HTTPS is all you get. Not ideal, but at least SNMP is also provided.So, in a nutshell, this appears to be a reasonably capable access point, with lots of enterprise-grade management functions... as long as you don't waste your time with any of the poorly-implemented and security-compromising "cloud" nonsense. Switch the AP to local management instead and it should perform adequately.

18.2.2019

I find that most reviews on these things, never explain in layman terms what they actually are.I'm reviewing this from a point of using it for our new business office. I've never used one of these before, and only vaguely knew of their existence. I'm an office manager and not a computer tech, but attempting to set it up myself.So from my experience and knowledge of it, it's a booster for a wifi signal. So you've already got a provider running a wifi in to the building and a router, as you would in your home, but this then connects to that, and allows you to do things like customise a guest wifi, boost your existing wifi signal, have more devices working simultaneously from your wifi,and personalise the wifi name, manage it via a desktop app and secure the network for safety.It also centralises the wifi - meaning from a security point of view, you can manage the wireless network as one - instead of going on each individual device and securing it that way. It adds another step to make it more difficult for people who know how to hack domestic wifi channels, and prevent them from doing it...or at least doing it so easily.Another benefit of this is that it can handle more devices using your wifi simultaneously than a network provided router alone. It's good for guests - it's business side of it means that it's suitable for having a personalised wifi name and easy to access internet, and you can add your own password and front network screen, similar to what you most commonly see in a hotel, something like that.Fixable to a wall, it's best to put it in a visible place, ideally high up, with minimal obstacles. Imagine wifi signals that visibly run from it like later beams - if something gets in the way, it reduces the strength of the lazer. It will work better with clean paths to the devices and also, i've noticed it does struggle with distance if there's an exterior or brick wall in the way. Though it has all the means to be fixed, bear in mind you still need to run a power cable from it so aesthetically this could be a problem if you've got it somewhere visible.Some things it will not do are provide a wifi signal of its own accord - you still need a router from a provider.The setup I found clear, the Linksys interface of the included application works well, and is relatively stress free. Note my use of relatively - the setup stages in particular do require some 'computery' knowledge, something that a young-un might just be able to work out, or a rookie computer tech. I'm just mentioning this as it did get a bit complicated for me, as a regular computer user but not someone who knows the in's and out's more so than how to troubleshoot the most basic of basic problems.From use of it, I have encountered no problems so far. It's currently used in the office for us as a simple signal booster. However I believe it can be used as another access point - for example, if you have a second floor that's a bit away from the main router.My experience of this is positive - but in a context of a small office with 6 people, and I would say, maybe 20 devices using the wifi. Phones, computers, secondary laptops, security cameras, security systems, and iPads. I can't comment on how well it would work in a cafe with 20 people trying to access the wifi at once, but for me and my small clan, it's worked really well. The internet is speedy, and noticeably different to when we didn't have it.

26.2.2019

I previously reviewed the LAPAC1750C and I said "I so wanted to write a review that says that this is the best WiFi access point ever"... however, I find myself saying it's good and has many features, but it disappointed me with one small detail... the signal strength. It has a good signal strength, nothing wrong with it, but it's just not outstanding and as a business access point, I was expecting excellence. This has slightly less signal strength than a 6 year old Sky router (tested with a WiFi signal tester), but more signal strength than a Vodafone modern router. So from that view it's good, but unfortunately, it still can't penetrate into the rear of my property from the nearest network point.I was expecting to get a much higher signal output than a broadband router which we have had for years, which is the biggest disappointment.But, with that said, lets say what it can do: VLANs, 2 Radio SSID's (you can configure both of them independently), want a secure one for your own business with full bandwidth allocation it can do that. Whilst providing a second radio channel which is open with a landing website splash screen, which you can restrict users bandwidth too. It's got all the features a small business could want. It even comes with a single user interface, which would work well in an office environment using carefully placed overlapping signals. The only thing I couldn't do was configure to the specific radio channel which I wanted to use, but with that said, it chose it's own sensible WiFi channel which didn't overlap with any other existing channels in the neighbourhood. That was a nice clever feature, but I sometimes feel I want more control as a network admin. If I didn't have the skills or equipment to identify radio channels, I would say that this feature was a good feature. Plug them in and away it goes, with bandwidth throughput which is incredible. I was able to pull near maximum on the WiFi bandwidth, which is great considering that most home broadband devices tend to be limited to 25% of the maximum throughput. It's a solid reliable WiFi access point, but the hunt to reach the rear of my property continues.I think it's fair to say that there's no difference for the home user and the same thing applies with the 1750. However, this is (at the current pricing) £25.00 cheaper than the one I previously reviewed. There are only 2 differences with the 1750 being able to connect more users simultaneously, and having 2 more antenna's internally, however for the home user this is not going to be noticed and for a small business, probably the same unless they are laptop heavy users. But that difference in price and the differences between them makes me want to review this as 5/5 instead due to it's better value for money.

17.2.2019

This is a professional WiFi access point intended for use in a corporate or public environment. As such, it is designed to be centrally managed from Linksys' cloud portal, which allows you to deploy configurations to a whole fleet of WiFi access points. The device has a single Ethernet port, which is intended to plug into a switch on your network, bridging WiFi to a fixed network. It can be powered either with the provided power supply, or via power-over-ethernet (PoE), which is typically what you would do if you mounted it on a wall or ceiling in an office (By the way it comes with nice mounting hardware to do this).You can configure the router by connecting into its internal web server,

12.2.2019

I so wanted to write a review that says that this is the best WiFi access point ever... I however find myself saying it's good and has many features, but it disappointed me with one small detail. The signal strength, it's a good signal strength, nothing wrong with it, but it's just not outstanding. It has slightly less signal strength than a 6 year old Sky router (tested with a WiFi signal tester) and more signal strength than a Vodafone modern router. So from that view it's good, but it still can't penetrate into the rear of my property from the nearest network point. I was expecting to get a much higher signal output than a broadband router which is the disappointment.

10.5.2019

Yes, as others have mentioned, the cloud stuff is largely unnecessary and not very stable, I couldn't even be bothered with it from the outset - if you want to have access to your settings remotely then just get yourself a VPN and log in and do it that way.So, well, the cool things about this is:1) PoE for power! Single cable install! Awesome! I have PoE as I have a CCTV camera that uses it so this was really cool. Note that it does also come with a power supply if you arent PoE ready.2) How many SSIDs? I noted that you can setup up to 8 SSIDs (wifi networks basically) each with isolation if you wish, on each band, so that's a total of 16 if you want. Perfect for trolling your neighbours if you're not a business user.

24.2.2019

A professional level WiFi access solution ideal for a corporate or public environment. As such, it is designed to be centrally managed from Linksys' cloud portal, which allows you to deploy configurations to a whole fleet of WiFi access points. The device has a single Ethernet port, which is intended to plug into a switch on your network, bridging WiFi to a fixed network. It can be powered either with the provided power supply, or via power-over-ethernet (PoE), which is typically what you would do if you mounted it on a wall or ceiling in an office (By the way it comes with nice mounting hardware to do this).Supports all of the following 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n,

21.2.2019

The Linksys Business AC1750 Wi-Fi Cloud Managed Access Point is, as it clearly says, designed for business use. I am disappointed to say my 'business' is no big enough for me to take full advantage of the features of this product. However, the limited ways in which I can use it are very gratifying. The set-up was not difficult although being slow and careful, it took me the best part of a morning. I think (and I might be mistaken) that basically it boosts the WiFi signal; I find that with it connected and running the signal strength is good, better than we usually have, so that is a big plus. The unit can be wall mounted (the mounting hardware is supplied) and ought to be in as obstruction-free place as possible.

14.3.2019

⭐️ This is Power Over Ethernet (PoE) but it also comes with a power lead, in case you need it.?? ? At first I was disappointed because it looked like it was just for European plug sockets, but included there's also an attachment to turn it in to a 3-pin UK plug..·:*¨*:·.·:*¨*:·.·:*¨*:·.·:*¨*:·.·:*¨*:·.·:*¨*:·.·:*¨*:·.·:*¨*:·.·:*¨*:·."A 5-year Linksys Cloud Manager license is included at no additional cost. When it expires, you can choose to purchase the license for an additional five years"- Linksys• It's good that this purchase includes a 5-year license for cloud access.• It does seem shady that Linksys are being very cagey about how much it will cost after that.• The cynic in me wonders if

5.4.2019

This is more designed for commercial use and for deployment in numbers to cover a large area and thus can be easily mounted on commercial type ceiling tiles.It comes with a power adapter (with European and UK fittings) and also supports POE.Using the mains adapter it uses a pretty steady 4.3 watts of power.On my DHCP server it identified itself as "BELKIN ANDROID" but then I remembered Belkin now own Linksys.I did not try the cloud utility to manage it as I suspect like the Belkin equivalent that it is a subscription service and for small numbers it is not needed.Permits multiple SSID and separate 2.5 vs 5 Ghz band SSID's which I prefer.Only one indicator on the front,

29.6.2019

Linksys Cloud Managed Wireless Access Point, AC1750, 3x3 Antenna, PoE+, Remote Centralised Management, Real-Time Insights, Rogue AP DetectionThe product.This is a cloud access management point for offices.Installation.This was fitted quickly and easily. It needs a power point nearby and a line to the main router. As this runs in trunking in our office ceiling it was easy to install.Actions.It works very quickly even when many people are using it for cloud access. It performs security checks and gives an extra layer of security to data entering and leaving the office.Configuration.It is easy to configure using the Linksys cloud management system.

11.3.2019

Using in a new start up business in a small industrial unit just as a trial as you get a licence for five years' free cloud management. Whether we get to five years isn't an issue with the peace of mind we have. We may very well stick with this or see how it goes.Set up was easy and we managed to set up various access points in our smallish but long building. We have separate points for various parts of the small business, just so we know what is happening where and how much data is being used. Signal strength was fine but nothing to write home about and we had to rejig things a little just to make sure we were getting strong signals throughout our environment.There are many features you can use; for example we set up a "visitor" access point and throttled the speed,

1.3.2019

I have been using this in a small office set up to allow multiple devices to hook in to the Wi-Fi. For that use I have found this to be invaluable. It was easy to set up (I am not technically gifted) and we have up to 15 devices running off it at any time. Signal strength has been good on all connections as far as I can tell.Set up - needs to be mounted to a wall or ceiling. It needs a power source, a 12 volt-mains adaptor is provided. There is a browser based interface that allows you to set up and manage the system. This is intuitive and easy to use. So far we have been connecting printers, computers and smart phones to the system, about 15 devices. All have worked with no problems yet.

26.5.2019

This can be used as either a locally managed or remotely managed access point depending on if you want to use the Linksys account and services. I just wanted a local access point to my existing network to deal with dead zones for wifi coverage and so I went for the simplest locally managed solution. It is easy to access the configuration via the browser setup and it was installed and working in 10 minutes. Networks still take a bit of thinking about to make sure that there are not clashes of assigned IP addresses but that it for the user to think about and nothing that the access point could come pre-configured with.

Linksys LAPAC1200C - Reviews

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