Fat AP thin AP and cloud AP past and present

Fat AP? Thin AP? Cloud AP? If you see these names for the first time, it is estimated that there will be doubts. Do IT engineers are appearance associations? Why is AP fat and thin?

Let us first explore the origins of these names.

Let's take a look at "fat" and "skinny" first. "Fat" and "thin" originated from the name of the client. When designing the client, the designer will consider what is part of the task and what is part of the server, which largely determines the cost of the client and server, as well as the robustness, security and flexibility of the entire system. Sex.

Take a simple "chestnut" to understand the "fat and thin" client. Image editing, if you use a thick client, you need to download all the images to the local, return to the server after editing, the fat client needs a long delay to start and stop, but the editing process is very fast. If you use a thin client, start downloading only the visible portion of the drawing and send each step change back to the server, so the startup time is very short, but the editing process is slow.

From here, the concept of "fat" and "thinness" is extended. The so-called "fat" is a device that is fully functional and capable of working independently; the so-called "thin" is functionally slimmed down, unable to work independently, and needs to be connected to the "brain" that controls it to work.

Introducing the origins of "fat" and "skinny", let's go back to the wireless AP. As we all know, AP is the abbreviation of Access Point, which is a wireless access point. Its main functions are wired/wireless signal conversion and wireless signal receiving/transmitting, which realize wireless data signal transmission of terminals such as smart phones and computers. There is a "fat AP" that can work independently, and there is also a "skinny AP" that must work in conjunction with the wireless controller WLAN AC (Access Controller), and of course, a newcomer based on the cloud management network platform ("cloud platform") "Cloud AP".

"Cloud AP"? Can an AP managed by the cloud? Correct! With the development of technologies such as cloud computing and big data analytics, the network management control platform was put into the cloud, so cloud management appeared, followed by “cloud AP” and “cloud switch”. Cloud management technology enables APs to be plug-and-play like "bulbs", simple to deploy, and more flexible for network expansion. "Cloud AP" is a function that puts a small part of the WLAN AC with very high timeliness requirements into the AP. For example, the fast roaming function moves most of the functions with low timeliness requirements to the cloud platform for processing, such as management monitoring. And tuning, etc., thereby improving the operational efficiency and security stability of the entire network.

Most APs on the market can support fat and thin mode switching, and there are very few WLAN APs that can support three modes of switching. Huawei's full range of enterprise 11ac Wave2 WLAN APs can support three modes of switching. If the traditional Wave2 thin AP has been deployed, it can be switched to the cloud management mode through software upgrade, effectively protecting the customer's investment.

Let's take a look at the differences between these types of APs.

One or three types of APs represent three types of networking methods.

Before talking about several working modes of AP, first throw out several wireless network diagrams of the campus, and intuitively give everyone a feeling.

“Fat AP” works independently and needs to be networked and configured. Usually used for small-scale WiFi coverage, due to its complicated management, the enterprise scenario has gradually been replaced by the networking mode of “WAC+Slim AP” and “Cloud Platform+Cloud AP”.

The "slim AP" needs to cooperate with WLAN AC, switch, AR, firewall, etc., and is usually used for seamless roaming of a wide range of WiFi coverage. Generally speaking, the AP refers to the “slim AP” of mainstream applications. It is the mainstream networking mode of shopping malls, supermarkets, attractions, hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and corporate offices.

"Cloud AP" needs to be used together with the cloud platform. Small and simple networking and medium and large complex networking can support it. It is a network cloud management method that is gradually emerging. It has plug-and-play and fast deployment, and cloud remote operation and maintenance. At the same time, due to the openness of the cloud platform, the API develops more industrial applications based on AP's positioning and IoT capabilities, and is gradually favored by multi-branch enterprises such as retail, hotels and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Second, the single AP has different functional richness

In addition to wireless access, the "fat AP" generally supports security functions such as DHCP server, DNS, VPN access, and firewall. "Fat AP" usually comes with a simple management system, can work independently, and can implement dialing, routing and other functions.

"Thin AP" removes the functions of routing, DNS, and DHCP server on the basis of "fat AP", and only retains the function of wireless access. It needs to cooperate with the wireless controller (WLAN AC) to form a complete network system, and cannot work independently.

"Cloud AP" has its own function close to "fat AP", supports routing, DHCP server and other functions, so it can be applied to small networking in home or SOHO environment; and because it matches the control function of cloud platform, it is also applicable to switches, AR and The large-scale networking of the firewall combination; and the openness of the cloud platform further enriches the overall network performance of the "cloud AP" networking.

Third, wifi network quality and experience are different

The fat AP cannot be roamed because each fat AP works independently. The user goes from the coverage area of ​​a fat AP to the coverage area of ​​another fat AP. You need to re-authenticate and re-acquire the IP address. Net phenomenon. Moreover, when many users are connected to the same fat AP, the load balancing cannot be performed automatically between multiple APs, and the user cannot be assigned to a fat AP with a relatively light load nearby, and network failure such as congestion may occur frequently due to heavy load.

Due to the management of the WLAN AC and the cloud platform, the "small AP" and "cloud AP" networks can implement fast roaming, automatic signal switching, no need to re-authenticate, no need to re-acquire an IP address, and the network is always connected online. The "cloud AP" is better than the "skin AP" in terms of fast roaming performance, because the user roaming between the cloud APs does not need to be processed by the cloud platform, and roaming between the traditional thin APs needs to be scheduled by the WLAN AC controller. At the same time, according to the load balancing algorithm, the user can be automatically assigned to a nearby AP with a light load. Huawei's SmartRadio's active load balancing technology also enables active switching of signals during user mobility, allowing users to actively roam to strong-capture APs when they have not experienced a drop in experience, improving the WiFi performance of the entire network. WiFi experience per access terminal.

Fourth, the complexity of wireless network operation and maintenance is different

"Fat AP" can not be centrally managed, and needs to be manually configured one by one. For the scenario where hundreds of fat APs are deployed, each device needs to be manually configured, and the workload is very large, which is an almost impossible task. .

The “thin AP” is centrally managed using WLAN AC and does not need to be configured separately. A high-end wireless controller (WLAN AC) can manage hundreds or thousands of APs. For the networking of multiple WLAN ACs, for example, the ACs of the APs need to be logged in to each other. The workload of the operation and maintenance management increases exponentially with the increase of the number of WLAN ACs.

“Cloud AP” can be implemented on the cloud platform, and the cloud can implement cloud network rules, cloud deployment, cloud inspection, and cloud operation and maintenance. Even for distributed networks with multiple branches across the country, centralized management of the whole life cycle can be realized regardless of the size. Operation and maintenance. For example, the cloud AP is pre-configured on the cloud management platform. The network deployment site only needs to power on the AP and connect to the network port. Scan the QR code to implement AP plug-and-play. The pre-configuration is automatically delivered to the AP. On the device, the network deployment time is greatly shortened. Through the cloud platform, you can comprehensively and intuitively monitor the network status, device status, and terminal connection status of all sites under the tenant, and keep abreast of the network and service operations.

In addition, it needs to be clarified that many vendors in the market are promoting "cloud AP", but some vendors only deploy AC to virtual machines, and some deploy network management to virtual machines. WLAN AC is still needed locally. These deployment methods are not really "cloud APs".

What are the key points of a true “cloud AP” deployment? Let's take Huawei's cloud management network as an example to see the real "cloud AP" deployment:

First, the cloud-based flexible architecture: The entire system consists of cloud AP and cloud management platform. It is built with SDN technology and supports multi-tenant unified management. It can be flexibly expanded on demand, which is flexible and simple, and greatly reduces deployment costs.

Second, minimalist networking: “Cloud AP” deployed locally, without the need to deploy WLAN AC, authentication server and network management server, and support for rich authentication functions such as pages, SMS and social media, greatly simplifying Networking has reduced CAPEX investment;

Third, automated network configuration management: The communication between the cloud platform and the cloud AP uses the new NETCONF (Network Configuration Protocol) protocol and the YANG (Yet Another Next Generation) data modeling language to define the transmission through the NETCONF network configuration protocol. Compared with the traditional network management SNMP protocol and MIB, the data has better management efficiency. It is the technical foundation of network automation today, which greatly improves the efficiency and makes network management more secure and reliable.

Fourth, the open application platform: The cloud AP provides a rich RESTful API interface through the cloud management platform, which can connect the rich data information of the AP with the third-party service system, such as positioning information, object information, etc., to build an industry-oriented application. .

to sum up

"Fat AP" will gradually be replaced;

"Thin AP" is widely used in today's traditional network networking;

"Cloud AP" can be said to be a combination of all the advantages, support for "fat AP" routing, dial-up, DHCP and other functions, suitable for miniaturized networking; at the same time support "slim AP" roaming, load balancing function, to ensure large-scale networking The user experience of the WiFi network. At the same time, the cloud platform can also be connected to various industry applications that promote rapid digital transformation of enterprises, such as customer analysis based on big data analysis, electronic price tag based on Internet of Things, asset management, etc., which is an ideal choice for future enterprise network facilities.

You can also pay attention to the Huawei cloud management network, learn more about the relevant knowledge, and apply for a free trial.