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Alta Labs - Different Types of Networks
Alta Labs - Different Types of Networks

In this article, we will review the different types of networks applicable to our wireless networks on Alta Labs access points.

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Written by Engineering
Updated over 6 months ago

Selecting the appropriate network type for your wireless networks is important to ensure maximum security and scalability. You can modify the network type based on the wireless network, the password used, or even by device.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Standard Network

  • Large Network

  • Internet Only

  • Internet of Things

  • Guest Network

Standard Network

  • Security Level: Low

  • Filters: None

  • Not optimized type only for small networks. Since most networks fall into this category and it does not cause any compatibility or detection issues, this is the default type.

Large Network

  • Security Level: Low

  • Filters: All broadcast/multicast traffic except MDNS, ARP, and ND Optimized for medium to large networks with hundreds to thousands of wireless devices. Compatibility or detection issues may arise if detection protocols other than MDNS, IPv4 ARP, and IPv6 ND are used.

Internet Only

  • Security Level: Very High

  • Filters: includes large network type filters but also filters all LAN traffic Optimized for all networks where internet access is the only necessary communication.

IoT (Internet of Things)

  • Security Level: High

  • Filters: includes Internet-only network type filters but allows communication with some LAN devices

  • Optimized for all networks where IoT devices are not necessarily trusted with full network access. Blocks all LAN connections by default, but if another device on the LAN attempts to connect to this device first, communication between the two devices will be allowed.

Guest Network

  • Security Level: High

  • Filters: includes Internet-only network type filters but allows communication with IoT devices.

  • Optimized for all networks where internet access is the primary method of communication, also allows access to a printer or streaming/casting device.

For maximum security, you can use the Internet-only network type for most passwords/devices on your network and then open individual trusted devices to Standard or Large. For maximum performance, it is important to use anything other than the Standard network type if you plan to have more than 100 wireless devices on your network.

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