VigorAP 960C Access Point

The DrayTek VigorAP 960C is a Wi-Fi 6 AX1800 access point. The new wireless standard does more than simply boost speeds for single users, it improves overall performance for busy environments. More efficient resource sharing results in greater overall performance, lower latency and less pauses in connectivity for users.

To achieve this, Wi-Fi 6 or 802.11ax brings in several new technologies (including some features used extensively by 4G and LTE networks), to enhance speeds even as many users demand content at the same time. As more devices need bandwidth more frequently, Wi-Fi 6 utilises the following key technologies to enable this:

Managing interference with wireless networks is often difficult, whether conflicting with neighbouring networks or managing channel assignment for wireless networks spanning multiple APs; If another network is transmitting on the same channel, this will cause drops in performance for everyone, while clients and access points wait for the air to clear before sending.

Wi-Fi 6 introduces a feature called 'BSS Colouring', with BSS being the Basic Service Set, or Access Point. Each Wi-Fi 6 wireless network adds a unique identifier/number to its transmissions. Wi-Fi 6 clients can use this to determine whether transmissions are coming from their own network or another. If the detected transmission doesn't match the BSS Colour of the wireless network, the client can choose to ignore the transmission if it's far enough away.

The result is better performance and better handling of interference, where wireless channels are shared with other networks.

The VigorAP 960C supports the latest WPA3 security standards and offers a multitude of network management features to allow implementation of complex wireless networks. Hotspot Web Portal is also available for Captive Portal and branding on hospitality Wi-Fi networks.

WPA3-Enterprise security offers greater 192-bit encryption strength for networks using RADIUS & 802.1x authentication. RADIUS authentication can be managed either with an external server or the VigorAP's built-in RADIUS server.

The VigorAP 960C supports up to 4 wireless networks per wireless band. Fully segmented from each other with 802.1q VLANs, guest network access is fully separated from internal company data.

Click here to learn more about WPA3 Wireless Security with DrayTek products.

Mesh wireless enables wireless networks to provide fast connectivity to all clients without cabling between VigorAP access points. Simply set up a Mesh Root and add some Nodes with the DrayTek Wireless App and the DrayTek Mesh will determine the best path between access points to provide the best user experience.

The Mesh Root VigorAP links up to your existing Internet router, such as the DrayTek Vigor 2862ac. The self-healing Mesh allows VigorAPs to re-establish their links if one VigorAP in the chain if the signal is blocked to a Mesh Nodes usual uplink.

Your devices see a single Wi-Fi network (SSID) and connect to the nearest VigorAP in the Mesh. Internet connectivity relays through the Mesh, using the 5GHz Wi-Fi 6 radio to rapidly transfer your data through other VigorAPs in the Mesh.

A DrayTek Mesh Wireless network can easily add new Mesh Nodes to expand. It self-organises links between up to 8 DrayTek VigorAP access points, ensuring the best coverage and performance.

If a Mesh Node's loses contact with its uplink, for instance if there's interference or the VigorAP it connects to is turned off, each Mesh Node VigorAP automatically re-connects to the next available point, resuming service with no manual intervention required.

Mesh Nodes further away will connect wirelessly to the nearest Mesh Node, with up to 3 wireless hops.

Alternatively, where a network connection is available for a VigorAP, join a Mesh Node to the network through Ethernet. Mesh Nodes nearby can join it instead of the Mesh Root, reducing wireless hops and improving overall performance.

DrayTek's Mesh system supports 802.1q VLAN tagging for its multiple Wireless networks (or SSIDs), over both wireless and wired Mesh links between VigorAPs.

Each SSID provided by the Mesh network can have a VLAN tag assigned to it. VLAN tags are interpreted by the network's router and switch(es) to segregate one network from another. For instance keeping devices connecting to a guest network separate from resources on the private, internal network.

Setting up a Mesh network to work with VLANs only requires setting up the Mesh Root with the VLAN tags on its SSIDs. This change is synced to Mesh Nodes allowing Multi-SSID over Mesh to be used just like a cabled network of access points.

The VigorAP 960C is designed to suit any application, with built-in PoE (Standard IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet) as standard , along with the option for powering via DC power supply. Connect the VigorAP to a PoE-enabled Ethernet switch or PoE injector to power it without local power to the unit (power supply) - the VigorAP 960C will take its power from the Ethernet cable.

PoE is ideal for office installations where Ethernet is available but power isn't. It also provides some great management features, the PoE Device Check feature of PoE VigorSwitch switches can monitor and alert if a PoE device stops responding, or providing its services.

In Mesh wireless networks, where PoE may not be possible, the VigorAP 960C can be powered via DC power supply, with its Ethernet port available for use as an uplink to the Mesh network.

DrayTek's Wireless app assists you with setting up VigorAP 960C access points and a Mesh Wireless network.

Once installed on your Smartphone or Tablet, use the Quick Start Wizard to set your VigorAPs to operate as a Mesh Wireless network. Set up a single VigorAP 960C as a stand-alone Access Point, or extend an existing wireless network as a Range Extender.

Simply scan the access point’s QR code to detect it, or manually input the VigorAPs default SSID & password, then configure your wireless network with step-by-step guidance.

When it’s all set up, view the Mesh Wireless status and connected wireless clients from the app.

Watch Video

For a convenient and tidy installation, the VigorAP 960C is designed for installation on ceilings and walls, blending into its surroundings with a matte finish. It's ideal for providing wireless access to large rooms and public spaces.

For mounting on solid ceilings and walls, a circular mounting plate (included with the unit) is fitted and then the VigorAP 960C is secured into place by twisting the VigorAP into the mounting plate.

For suspended ceilings, additional mounts are included to attach to ceiling T-rails, clipping securely into place.

Cabling for the VigorAP can be discreetly run through the mounting plate or through a cable gap in the side. An included cover for this gap can be installed where cables are run through to the back of the access point.

The VigorAP 960C is configurable to suit most networks, with AP and Range Extender modes. In addition to its Mesh capability, it's ideal as a stand-alone Access Point to provide Wi-Fi connectivity for routers and networks without wireless.

Use the VigorAP 960C as a Range Extender to connect to any existing wireless network and boost the signal, extending wireless coverage to areas that otherwise would have a patchy signal.

DrayTek's VigorACS central management platform makes it possible to manage all DrayTek products from the Cloud or your own private server. DrayTek's access points, switches and routers can all be managed through the VigorACS management portal, with all of the menu options and features available, just as if they were being set up locally. Dashboard view gives a full overview of a VigorAP's status and usage.

VigorACS is great for managing VigorAPs spread across multiple sites, with AP profiles to configure wireless settings, passwords and VLANs. Apply AP profiles to reconfigure all APs on one site or multiple sites in minutes.

Ideal Application: Cloud Management and Multi-Site Management.

To learn more about DrayTek's VigorACS central management platform, click here.

Managed VigorAP access points centrally through DrayTek Vigor router's web interface, to rapidly provision complex wireless configuration. Ideal for networks with 10 to 50 VigorAP access points, either on a single site or across multiple sites connected via VPN tunnel.

Provision selected groups to configure them all at once. Optional Auto Provisioning provisions VigorAPs straight out of the box with your Wireless configuration.

Ideal Application: Single-Site Management and Multi-Site Management via VPN. Up to 50 VigorAP, depending on router model.

New to the VigorAP 960C is the ability to manage all VigorAPs on one site as a group. Simply assign one VigorAP to work as the Root AP and discover other APs on the network to manage them as a group. Any changes made on the root VigorAP can be quickly provisioned to the rest of the group.

Ideal Application: Single-Site Management without DrayTek Vigor router. Up to 50 VigorAP.

To manage large networks of VigorAP access points on one site, DrayTek provide the free VigorConnect management server. A Windows-based server platform similar to VigorACS, which allows for instant oversight and rapid provisioning of all VigorAPs and VigorSwitches on a single site. Schedule firmware upgrades to occur out of hours or overnight.

Ideal Application: Large Single-Site Management. Up to 100 VigorAP and VigorSwitch.

To learn more about DrayTek's free VigorConnect management tool, click here.

Through the web interface of the VigorAP 960C, network administrators can easily check on AP data usage and clients connected, with options to disconnect or block disruptive clients.

Mobile Device Management builds on regular Access Control, which can be used to whitelist and blacklist individual clients. MDM makes it possible to set up SSIDs that only Windows or Apple desktops can connect to, disconnecting Android or iOS clients or vice versa, to suit the requirements of your wireless network.

Analytics data from each VigorAP graphs how many wireless clients have connected to the AP over time, as well as how many wireless clients passed by without connecting.

Large wireless networks spanning multiple access points may sometimes seem slow to users, because their device is clinging on to a far away access point. Even when a closer access point is available for their device to connect to, which can slow down overall performance for all users connected to that now distant AP.

DrayTek solve this issue with AP-Assisted Roaming, which requires no central controller to operate. With AP-Assisted Roaming, VigorAPs communicate with each other to determine which clients can get a better signal as those clients move around.

If a client moves into range of another VigorAP access point, that AP informs the now distant AP, which makes an informed decision to disconnect the remote 'sticky' client. Allowing the client to quickly re-associate with their nearest AP, giving the user stronger signal and better speeds.

Click here to learn more about AP Assisted Roaming.