Our building needs 3 "WAPs" to get full WiFi coverage. Currently I have a 2860n Plus that I have been operating with its own WiFi in the centre, an old 2800VG as a WAP at one end and a TP-LINK TL-WA801ND at the other.

2800VG

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2860n Plus

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TL-WA801ND

I would like to have a situation where devices can roam between the three and, since the 2800VG has now died, I am thinking about replacing both WAPs with an AP-900. Will WiFi roaming work between the two AP-900s and the 2860? I have been told roaming would only work between the two AP-900s which seems ridiculous considering the 2860 provides its own WiFi capability and Central AP Management.

Thanks

Response from Draytek UK:

Generally, in an WIFI covered area, if all the AP units share the same
SSID and security (but different channels) this will allow for wireless
clients to connect to the strongest signal AP. If the AP900s are to be
connected to the 2860n via a Ethernet cable this router can also manage
the APs through centralised AP Management found in the 2860n configuration.
Note, however, the wireless part of the 2860 isn't part of the wireless
management setup.

You can further enhance roaming, by using Radius, and this is supported in
AP900, this could allow for faster hand off from one AP to another.

You can more details on the wireless management here
http://www.draytek.co.uk/information/our-technology/wireless

I don't understand this, why can't the 2860 also form part of the managed wireless setup, as well as participate in roaming? There needs to be a firmware update to allow this, what is the point of having wireless on the router otherwise.

what is the point of having wireless on the router otherwise.

If you want to manage the wireless access points, there is no point (no-one said there was). Buy the standard Vigoir2860, not the 'n'.

This makes the whole solutiuon much more expensive, prohibitively so for small instations. Instead of buying a router and an AP, you need to buy a router and 2 APs.

Why can't the router manage it's own wireless? I was planning to install this for several clients, but will not be able to justify the cost as a result.

Because it wasn't designed that way... I'd guess someone has to pay for the R&D, so when you buy an AP, you'd paid for it. The feature in the V2860 is free!

This makes the whole solutiuon much more expensive, prohibitively so for small instations. Instead of buying a router and an AP, you need to buy a router and 2 APs.

How small?

1. An AP's ideal position is probably not where the router is ideally placed.

2. Say the price difference for the AP is £100.... is that really "prohibitive"? It's half a days wages for an average member of staff, or two toner cartridges. If £100 is the difference between doing it and not, I think the company
has bigger issues.

I agree for some people it would be handy, but seriously it's not "prohibitive" It's also a lot cheaper than other solution requiring a dedicated controller.