Todaair Wireless AP Testing

Background

For the vast majority of networking projects, a wired connect is both the most desirable, and the most cost-effective solution. However, a wired solution is not possible in every situation. Sometimes you will run into a project where you must include some type of wireless networking equipment. This is where the Todaair Wireless Access Point can be used.

As one of the leading manufacturers for wireless networking products worldwide, Todaair has a history of producing reliable, powerful, and economical equipment. Recently, they have come into the market with a lineup of 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz access points, which are configurable via DIP switches. Why is this significant? The DIP switch setup removes the need for a complicated configuration for each device, saving you time and headache.

Today, we will be testing three different models of Access Point, including the latest model DIP-3226-POE. We are interested to see if there will be a throughput difference between the devices, as well as how well they perform in an office building environment.

Testing Equipment

• DIP3526-H (5.8 GHz AP w/16dBi antennae gain)
• DIP-3226-POE (2.4GHz AP w/16dBi antennae gain + 48V passthrough PoE)
• DIP4530-H (5.8GHz AP w/14dBi antennae gain) NEW!

We used the tool iperf3, a free software which is commonly used to test the maximum achievable bandwidth on a network. Using the software, and two laptops connected via AP, took down the measurements from iperf3 during each test. The AP’s did not have direct line of sight. Instead, we tested in an office environment, from the main lobby our office to the back of the warehouse.  We were interested to see how well each model would be able to transmit the signal through multiple office walls.

Testing Setup Diagram – A Map of Our Office

Bandwidth Comparisons

We ran the iperf3 test by setting one computer as a client, and one as the server. Each test was run for 10 seconds using the TCP protocol, and we ran the test five times for each model. We took the average of these five tests and recorded the results, as seen in the graph below. Based on these tests, we determined the DIP4530-H had the highest bandwidth in our office environment.

• DIP3526-H – 48.60 Mbps average over 50 seconds
• DIP-3226-POE – 40.04 Mbps average over 50 seconds
• DIP4530-H – 58.40 Mbps average over 50 seconds

Transmission Speed Comparisons

The maximum transmission speed of each device is based upon the internal chipset within each device. The transmission speed is correlated with the maximum bandwidth, which is likely why the DIP4530-H model was able to outperform the other two models. At close range, the DIP4530-H is likely to be the preferred model, due to its lower price and 5.8GHz signal minimizing interference.

Range Comparisons

The range of the access points is based upon the signal output of the antennae within each model. Based on the manufacturer specs, the maximum range of the DIP3526-H and DIP-3226-POE models are up to 3KM. The DIP4530-H has a more limited range of 1KM, but is more economical and has a higher bandwidth. The signal strength is also configurable within the built-in web interface, to help eliminate interference when the transmitters are placed closely together.

Conclusion

This is the first time we’ve done a scientific comparison of these access points. We were surprised to find that the DIP4530-H performed the best in the office test scenario. I suspect that at longer ranges, the bandwidth and transmission speed will drop-off rather quickly. For a distance of less than 100m, the DIP4530-H seems to perform the best.

The DIP-3226-POE model has the advantage of having a POE output directly from the device. This allows you to connect one POE device (such as an IP security camera) directly to the unit, saving some installation headache. All three models also have an easy DIP switch setup, bypassing the complex web interface that is common with other types of access points.

We carry all three models of access point, so please contact us if you would like to purchase a Todaair Wireless Access Point. You can send an email to info@gsglobalsecurity.com or call us at (905)367-7177.