TP-Link Auranet EAP225 – AC1200 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Ceiling Mount Access Point
Ceiling mounted wireless access points are generally associated with businesses and public wireless areas. TP-Link have released the EAP225, an AC1200 wireless dual band gigabit access point, which challenges this.
Powered by the Qualcomm Atheros chipset, the EAP225 supports up to a maximum of 1200Mbps by simultaneously combining the 2.4GHz (300Mbps) and 5GHz (867Mbps) frequencies. Similarly, the device supports Band Steering Automatically which moves supported devices to the higher speed frequency to maximize the connection speed.
The EAP225 looks and feels like any other ceiling mount wireless access point. Its ergonomic curves and light colour makes it suitable for most residential installs.
Support for Power over Ethernet (802.3af) simplifies installation and helps keep the cost down as an additional power source isn’t required.
Rear ports on the TP-Link Auranet EAP225. Ethernet jack supports PoE.
Under the TP-Link Auranet EAP225
The TP-Link EAP225 can be centrally managed using the supplied Auranet Controller software. This software has a number of advantages:
Included with the EAP225 at no cost
Supports all the Auranet models which allows for centralized management
Visual feedback providing real-time monitoring and statistics
In addition, the EAP225 also provides support for a range of advance wireless functions:
Batch firmware upgrades enable simultaneous upgrades of all Auranet Aps
Ability to schedule automatic reboots
Guest control with authentication page or voucher system
Band steering to ensure devices get the fastest possible connection speed
Supports rate limiting to better manage available bandwidth
Setting up a new password
Configure network settings
Configure wireless settings
Configure QoS on the EAP225
Configure MAC address filtering
Enable rogue AP detection
Configure the guest portal
You can restrict management console access
Our standard wireless tests were run to assess the wireless performance of the TP-Link Auranet EAP225 against the Archer VR600. The wireless signal was checked from 5 different locations:
Same floor next room separated by a void
Same floor opposite end of house
Endpoint located one floor up and opposite corner of building
Endpoint located in the same room
Endpoint located on the same floor but on the outside of the building
Endpoint located on the same floor but in the next room
Endpoint located on the same floor but at the opposite corner of building
For an access point with no external antennae, the results were respectable against the VR600. Whilst the gap widened the further away we were on the 2.4GHz band, it still performed reasonably well on 5GHz and wasn’t that far off what we achieved with the Archer VR600.
The TP-Link Auranet EAP225 is a great mid-range wireless access point that supports dual-band (2.4GHz/5GHz), wireless-AC and PoE (802.3af). It’s sleek design and supplied mounts allow for subtle installs in the home. Whilst the lack of external antennas add to the homely look and feel of the unit, it did have an impact on its performance on the 2.4GHz band. That said, the EAP225 still managed to give a solid signal on 5GHz when compared to our test Archer VR600.
The supplied software was easy to configure and simple to use. Although we didn’t mention it above, Band Steering worked well moving our 5GHz capable devices onto the wider band to ensure they had maximum bandwidth. The Auranet software also provided a convenient method of configuring the guest access.
Overall, we were quiet pleased with the unit and look forward to seeing how TP-Link improve in this space.
TP-Link Auranet EAP225 – AC1200 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Ceiling Mount AP Reviewed Ceiling mounted wireless access points are generally associated with businesses and public wireless areas. TP-Link have released the EAP225, an AC1200 wireless dual band gigabit access point, which challenges this.
