【FAQ】What is the different between Thin AP (TAP) and Fat AP (FAP)?

A FAP is the wireless access point which can work independently with complete features and functions A Thin AP is basically a radio and antenna that is controlled by WLC (Wireless LAN Controller) to configuration and management.

FAP: 

． Advantage: works independently without other device intervention with low cost 

． Each FAP is an independent device so that the whole network firmware upgrading and maintenance are a huge task 

． FAP is only configured one by one so it takes time of configuration for a large scale network 

． Note: configuration data saved in board, it has the leakage risk of system security when it is lost

TAP + WLC: 

． Advantage: thin AP is zero configured and easily deployed, it supports L3 roaming, centralized configuration by downloading profiles for management, and advanced features of fast roaming, QoS, network security and SON and self-healing 

． Note: higher cost, not suitable for small scale Wi-Fi network, and the provision for WLC is more complicated than FAP