The VigorAP 918RPD variant of the VigorAP 918 series has an integrated High-Gain directional antenna for linking two locations, using 5GHz 802.11ac MIMO wireless. This High-Gain antenna makes it possible to link two points with line-of-sight wirelessly over 1km at up to 90 Mbps throughput, or 3km at 10 Mbps throughput.

Configure the AP’s 5GHz wireless to use the Patch antenna and configure the APs in Mesh Root & Node, then aim the access points using the Signal Strength LEDs located on the bottom of each VigorAP 918RPD access point.

The VigorAP 918RPD is designed to be mounted on a wall or pole – fixing brackets are included with the product, allowing the VigorAP to be fitted at up to 45 ° up & down and/or left & right. With its dual Omni-Directional antennas and internal High-Gain Directional antenna (switchable), it can be used as a wireless access point or Point-to-Point wireless link between buildings.

To ensure that the VigorAP 918R is operating correctly, it has an integrated temperature and humidity sensor.

The VigorAP 918R can send alerts via Syslog or E-mail, should the VigorAP’s internal temperature or humidity exceed the intended levels, or the specified temperature ranges. Giving you an early warning of any possible problems with the access point without checking it directly.

The VigorAP also stores logs of its temperatures, which can be checked in the web interface, with graphs showing up to the last 14 days, to easily keep track of the temperature and humidity conditions for each access point.

The VigorAP 918R features multiple levels of wireless security. Encryption using WPA2 is available and you can also use the access control list (ACL) to specify the hardware addresses of clients which are permitted to connect (by MAC hardware address). Any unauthorised hardware is refused access.

For additional user authentication, you can have the VigorAP 918R authenticate clients with an 802.1x RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service) server, or use its internal RADIUS server.

The VigorAP 918R supports the 802.1q VLAN protocol so that if it is connected to an 802.1q enabled LAN, it can split tagged data (whether it’s different subnets or intended for different users) and broadcast each on its own SSID. This means, for example, that your guest WiFi access is provided on a separate isolated SSID with no access to your company data.

The VigorAP 918R can be used as a stand-alone Wireless Access Point, to provide wireless connectivity for a router or network that doesn’t currently have wireless.

Access Point mode can create up to 4 separate Wireless networks (or SSIDs). The VigorAP 918R can provide completely separate private and guest wireless networks through the use of 802.1q VLAN tags with a router or network that supports VLAN tagging, such as the DrayTek Vigor 2862 router.

Range Extender (or Universal Repeater) mode allows the VigorAP 918R to extend the wireless coverage of any existing wireless network. In this mode, the VigorAP 918R connects to a remote wireless network, allowing it to provide Internet and Network access to wireless clients that connect to the VigorAP 918R’s wireless network.

DrayTek’s Mesh system supports 802.1q VLAN tagging for its multiple Wireless networks (or SSIDs), over both wireless and wired Mesh links between VigorAPs.

Each SSID provided by the Mesh network can have a VLAN tag assigned to it. VLAN tags are interpreted by the network’s router and switch(es) to segregate one network from another. For instance keeping devices connecting to a guest network separate from resources on the private, internal network.

Setting up a Mesh network to work with VLANs only requires setting up the Mesh Root with the VLAN tags on its SSIDs. This change propagates to Mesh Nodes when syncing the configuration between access points and Multi-SSID over Mesh can be used just like a cabled network of access points.  (requires firmware upgrade, est.Q1’20)

Provision & Manage VigorAPs with a DrayTek Vigor router

For further details of the central management feature, click here .

The VigorAP 918R can operate in standalone autonomous mode, but can also form part of a centrally managed wireless installation by adding a compatible DrayTek wireless controller such as the Vigor 2862 router. This enables you to centrally control, manage and administer multiple AP devices installed around your building/campus. Management also enables efficient usage of your wireless access point through load-balancing, whereby wireless clients are distributed across several access points to reduce congestion.

The DrayTek router operating as the wireless controller can provision DrayTek VigorAP access points using the Central AP Management profiles configured on the router, with an option to Auto Provision – auto configuring newly installed VigorAP access points with the Auto Provisioning profile, upon initial connection to the DrayTek Vigor router’s network.