2.3 Given a scenario, select and configure wireless devices and technologies

Access Point Modes

📘CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)

What Is an Autonomous Access Point?

An Autonomous Access Point (AP) is a wireless access point that works independently.
It does not rely on a central controller or wireless LAN controller (WLC) to operate.

You configure and manage each autonomous AP individually.
It performs all wireless functions on its own, such as:

Broadcasting the wireless network (SSID)
Handling authentication
Managing security settings
Controlling RF settings (channels, power levels)
Handling client connections

In other words, each autonomous AP is a self-contained wireless device.

✅ Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Network+ wants you to understand:

What autonomous APs are
When they are used
Their advantages and disadvantages
How they compare to controller-based APs
Configuration concepts important for real IT environments

🔍 Key Characteristics of Autonomous Access Points

1. Standalone Operations

No central controller needed.
Each AP contains its own configuration, firmware, and settings.
Works even if the network has no WLC.

2. Individually Managed

You must configure every AP one by one.
If you have many APs, this becomes time-consuming.

3. Fully Featured

Autonomous APs provide all wireless features locally, such as:

WPA2/WPA3 security
SSID broadcasting
VLAN tagging
QoS settings
Radio frequency (RF) controls
MAC filtering
DHCP relay or forwarding

4. Used in Small or Simple Network Environments

Since there is no central controller, autonomous APs are suitable for:

Small networks
Branch offices
Environments with only a few APs

Large enterprise environments typically use controller-based APs instead.

⚙️ What an Autonomous AP Can Do (Functions)

An autonomous AP handles everything on its own, including:

✔ Wireless Authentication

Pre-Shared Key (PSK)
WPA2/WPA3
RADIUS (Enterprise mode)

✔ Wireless Security Enforcement

Encryption (AES)
Access lists
Filtering

✔ Wireless Management

Channel selection
Transmit power adjustment
Band steering
Client load handling

✔ Network Integration

VLAN tagging per SSID
DHCP relay
Local routing (in some models)

✔ Monitoring

Local logs
Local performance statistics
Rogue AP detection (basic)

These features exist inside each AP, not centrally.

🔄 Autonomous AP vs. Controller-Based AP (Exam Comparison)

Feature	Autonomous AP	Controller-Based AP
Management	Managed individually	Centrally managed through WLC
Scalability	Good for small networks	Ideal for medium/large networks
Configuration	Manual, per AP	One configuration applied to all
Cost	Lower initial cost	Higher cost due to controller
Updates	Manual	Centralized updates
Roaming	Basic roaming	Advanced fast roaming
Security Policies	Set per AP	Central enforcement

Network+ may ask questions comparing these two modes. Remember:

➡ Autonomous = standalone
➡ Controller-based = centrally managed

🛠️ Common Configuration Settings for an Autonomous AP

When configuring an autonomous AP in an IT environment, you typically set:

1. SSIDs

Example: “CorpWiFi”, “GuestWiFi”

2. Security Type

WPA3 or WPA2-Enterprise
PSK or RADIUS authentication

3. VLAN Assignments

Each SSID mapped to a VLAN
Example: Corporate = VLAN 10, Guest = VLAN 20

4. Channel & Power Levels

Choose channel to reduce interference
Adjust power for better coverage

5. IP Addressing

Static or DHCP
Gateway settings

6. Logging and Monitoring

Syslog server
SNMP monitoring

These are exam-relevant concepts.

⭐ Advantages of Autonomous Access Points

✔ 1. No controller required

Simple and cost-effective.

✔ 2. Full control on each AP

Useful when APs have different purposes.

✔ 3. Good for small deployments

Easy to set up when only a few APs are involved.

✔ 4. Works even if other APs fail

Each AP is independent.

⚠️ Disadvantages of Autonomous Access Points

✘ 1. Hard to scale

Managing 10–20+ APs individually is difficult.

✘ 2. Time-consuming configuration

Every AP must be updated one at a time.

✘ 3. Inconsistent settings

Human error may cause mismatched configurations.

✘ 4. Limited roaming features

Clients may not roam smoothly between APs.

✘ 5. Manual firmware updates

No centralized update system.

📘 Autonomous AP – Key Points for the Exam

Make sure you remember:

Autonomous AP = standalone, individually configured
Best for small networks
Provides full local control over wireless features
Does not rely on a WLC
Requires more administrative effort
Less scalable and less efficient for large environments
Supports all typical wireless functions locally (SSID, authentication, encryption, RF settings)

If the question describes a network with “only a few access points”, “no controller”, or “individual management,” the correct answer is usually:

➡ Autonomous Access Point

📝 Short Summary (Easy to Remember)

Autonomous AP = works alone, each configured separately
Good for small networks
No centralized controller
More work for administrators
Fully capable AP with all security and wireless features built in