VigorAP 918R Series

Expired

Overview

Outdoor Wireless AP – Weather Resistant

The VigorAP 918R series is designed for use outdoors with a water and dust resistant IP67 casing. Designed to reliably operate in extreme hot or cold conditions, the VigorAP 918R is an ideal access point for permanent outdoor installation.

Benefits: Reliable Wireless access in tough outdoor conditions. Withstands extreme hot or cold.

Mesh Wireless – Auto Optimising

DrayTek's Mesh system connects and intelligently manages a group of VigorAPs over wireless.* The Self-Optimising Mesh ensures your wireless network nodes are always using the fastest path to the Mesh Root.

Benefits: Quick to set up and easy to manage. Reduces the need for cable installation.

Gigabit PoE Ports

The VigorAP 918R is powered by Power over Ethernet by its Gigabit Ethernet port for convenient installation. Connect & power extra devices through the VigorAP 918RPD's secondary Gigabit Ethernet port with PoE-Output.

Benefits: High Speed connections even in locations without mains power. Convenient Installation.

Easy to Configure and Manage

The DrayTek Wireless app simplifies setting up your network. Optionally configure and monitor through one of DrayTek's management platforms - VigorACS cloud, VigorConnect, Router AP Management, or directly via the AP's Web Interface.

Benefits: Quick to install and change configuration.

Long Range Point-to-Point Wireless

Create long distance wireless links with the VigorAP 918RPD's High-Gain directional antenna. Connect two locations potentially over a kilometre apart with 11ac wireless. Signal strength LED indicators simplify aiming & installation.

Benefits: High speed wireless connectivity between two locations.

Wireless Optimisation

802.11ac Wave 2: Multi-User MIMO improves efficiency.

Band Steering: Allows 5GHz devices to achieve optimum speeds.

Airtime Fairness: Improves time management for wireless clients.

AP Assisted Roaming: Helps clients connect to the best AP.

VigorAP 918R Series

Outdoor 802.11ac Mesh Wireless Access Point

VigorAP 918R is a wireless access point designed for outdoor environments. It is ideal for providing wireless access to users and devices in any outdoor scenario, including restaurants, gardens, marinas, educational premises or, really, anywhere where outdoor access is needed.

The VigorAP 918R is a dual-band 802.11ac Wave 2 wireless access point and range extender that can be used a part of a DrayTek Mesh Wireless solution, designed to eliminate wireless drop outs, stuttering videos, slow download speeds, poor signal and Wi-Fi dead zones. One access point acts as the controller (Mesh root) and in total up to 8 access points create an easy to manage wireless mesh.* Extend coverage without running expensive cabling.

Initial setup of the VigorAP 918R is easy with the DrayTek Wireless app, whether it's creating a new Mesh network or being set up in AP and Range Extender modes, the Quick Start Wizard assists throughout.
Manage the VigorAP 918R centrally through the VigorACS central management platform, VigorConnect, Router AP Management, or simply on its own as a stand-alone access point.

The VigorAP 918R has the flexibility to be used how you need it, in any environment.

Features

Ruggedised Outdoor AP

Suitable for installation in any outdoor environment with water & dust resistant IP67 rated casing.

Dual-Band 11ac Wave 2 Access Point

Up to 866Mbps + 400Mbps total wireless bandwidth. Connect 128 clients per wireless band, 256 in total.

Temperature Sensor

Integrated temperature and humidity sensing ensures you're aware of water ingress or heat problems.

Mesh Wireless

Link up to 8 DrayTek VigorAP access points over wireless with Mesh.* Mesh auto configures wireless links.

Wireless Security & VLANs

Secure your wireless networks with 802.1x and Access Control.

AP & Repeater Modes

Use the VigorAP 918R as an Access Point or extend an existing wireless network.

Central Management with VigorACS

Manage VigorAPs from the cloud with DrayTek VigorACS.

Gigabit PoE LAN Ports

Power the VigorAP 918R with PoE. Connect a second device with the VigorAP 918RPD.

Directional High-Gain Antenna

Connect two locations wirelessly with the VigorAP 918RPD's directional antenna.

Wireless Optimisation

Band Steering, Airtime Fairness and AP-Assisted Mobility improve wireless network efficiency.

Multi-SSID over Mesh

Provide separate wireless networks for 4 separate LANs over Mesh.

Mesh - Auto-Optimisation

DrayTek Mesh is Self-organising & Self-Healing to ensure reliable wireless connectivity.

Easy to Configure and Manage

Setup of the VigorAP 918R is easy with the DrayTek Wireless app.

Central Management with a DrayTek Router

Manage, monitor and provision VigorAPs connected to a DrayTek Vigor router.

Outdoor Access Point

The VigorAP 918R is an access point designed for continuous outdoor operation, providing strong wireless signal outdoors. This long range AP outputs a strong signal to clients, then amplifies distant or weaker signals. This allows it to communicate with mobile devices at distances of 100 to 200 meters outdoors, or laptops with more powerful antennas at even greater distances.

Fully IP67 compliant, the product can work in extremes of heat, cold, dirty and wet environments. It is dust and water resistant and housed in a robust metal case to withstand harsh environments.

When we say 'ruggedised', this product has been designed from scratch, using high-tolerance components and designed to perform in all supported environments, in operating temperatures of well below freezing up to 70 ° Centigrade. This isn't our indoor product 'put in a fancy box' and hoping for the best.

High power outdoor wireless access point

Power-over-Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet Ports

The VigorAP 918R series is powered through standard IEEE 802.3af/at Power over Ethernet (PoE). This allows the VigorAP to be placed in locations where it's not easily possible to source power. It can also make use of PoE switch features such as scheduling and Device Check to ensure the access point is always operating reliably.

The Gigabit LAN port on the VigorAP 918R ensures that the AP is fed at the maximum speed, in order to fully satisfy the full speed of both 2.4GHz and 5Ghz bands simultaneously.

The VigorAP 918RPD model adds a secondary LAN port, which provides PoE Output (PoE-PSE) to power an additional PoE device through a single cable run. This makes it possible to connect a camera or daisy-chain an additional AP through the one cable.

To power additional devices through the VigorAP 918RPD's secondary LAN port, use the VigorPoE-600 High-Power PoE Injector. This powers both the VigorAP 918RPD and provides up to 16 watts to an additional device, over a 100 meter CAT5e/CAT6 cable run.

Dual Band 11ac Wave 2 Access Point

The VigorAP 918R is an 802.11ac Wave 2 access point, improving performance by increasing the amount of data that can be sent at one time. 11ac Wave 2 uses MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple In, Multiple Out) technology to boost performance & capacity, building upon the Single-User (SU-MIMO) technologies introduced with 802.11n.

The VigorAP's MU-MIMO technology when used with MU-MIMO capable wireless clients, allows each antenna (or Spatial Stream) to send to separate wireless clients at the same time, potentially doubling the data transmission rate to clients.

A typical wireless access point can send data to only one client at a time with its radio. With enough users connected, congestion slows down transfer speeds more & more, as the AP is shared between more clients.

This can be particularly useful in locations with many phones, tablet and laptops connecting, where the VigorAP's more efficient transmissions could allow each access point to serve more clients than an 802.11ac Wave 1 or 802.11n access point.

Directional Antenna for Point-to-Point Wireless Links

Directional Antenna for long distance wireless links

The VigorAP 918RPD variant of the VigorAP 918 series has an integrated High-Gain directional antenna for linking two locations, using 5GHz 802.11ac MIMO wireless. This High-Gain antenna makes it possible to link two points with line-of-sight wirelessly over 1km at up to 90 Mbps throughput, or 3km at 10 Mbps throughput.

Configure the AP's 5GHz wireless to use the Patch antenna and configure the APs in Mesh Root & Node, then aim the access points using the Signal Strength LEDs located on the bottom of each VigorAP 918RPD access point.

The VigorAP 918RPD is designed to be mounted on a wall or pole - fixing brackets are included with the product, allowing the VigorAP to be fitted at up to 45 ° up & down and/or left & right. With its dual Omni-Directional antennas and internal High-Gain Directional antenna (switchable), it can be used as a wireless access point or Point-to-Point wireless link between buildings.

Wireless Optimisation

DrayTek's VigorAP access points have many features designed to improve wireless performance on your network, to ensure that every wireless client gets the best possible experience. Learn More

Airtime Fairness	Aims to maximise the total wireless throughput by improving how time is shared between wireless clients to prevent slower clients from negatively affecting other users and to enable faster clients to obtain higher speeds that they're capable of.
Band Steering	Increases capacity for Vigor Access Points by directing wireless clients, that are capable of connecting to 5GHz wireless networks, to the less congested and faster 5GHz (802.11n and 802.11ac) band. The aim is to more evenly distribute wireless clients between the AP's wireless radios.
AP Assisted Mobility	Allows VigorAP access points on the network to improve how clients handle moving between VigorAPs. It intelligently allows VigorAPs to disassociate clients from a VigorAP, when the client could get a better connection with a nearer VigorAP access point.
Mobile Device Management	Control which type of devices connect to your VigorAP access points, for instance, to stop desktop and laptop computers connecting to a network intended for guest's mobile phones and tablets.

Temperature & Humidity Sensor

To ensure that the VigorAP 918R is operating correctly, it has an integrated temperature and humidity sensor.

The VigorAP 918R can send alerts via Syslog or E-mail, should the VigorAP's internal temperature or humidity exceed the intended levels, or the specified temperature ranges. Giving you an early warning of any possible problems with the access point without checking it directly.

The VigorAP also stores logs of its temperatures, which can be checked in the web interface, with graphs showing up to the last 14 days, to easily keep track of the temperature and humidity conditions for each access point.

Mesh Wireless

Mesh Wireless links VigorAP access points across both Wi-Fi and Wired links to cover a large area with a single Wireless network, spanning multiple Wireless Access Points and easily managed from the Mesh Root VigorAP or with the DrayTek Wireless app.

The Mesh Root VigorAP links up to your existing Internet router, such as the DrayTek Vigor 2862 and additional VigorAPs join up as Mesh Nodes, which connect wirelessly to the Mesh Root.

Your devices see a single Wi-Fi network (SSID) and connect to the nearest VigorAP in the Mesh, instead of a distant Wi-Fi network with low signal. Internet connectivity relays through the Mesh, using the up to 866Mbps 5GHz wireless as the backhaul link, to relay between Mesh Nodes and avoid long waits for downloads.

Please visit the DrayTek Mesh Model Compatibility page for details.

Wireless Security & VLANs

The VigorAP 918R features multiple levels of wireless security. Encryption using WPA2 is available and you can also use the access control list (ACL) to specify the hardware addresses of clients which are permitted to connect (by MAC hardware address). Any unauthorised hardware is refused access.

For additional user authentication, you can have the VigorAP 918R authenticate clients with an 802.1x RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service) server, or use its internal RADIUS server.

The VigorAP 918R supports the 802.1q VLAN protocol so that if it is connected to an 802.1q enabled LAN, it can split tagged data (whether it's different subnets or intended for different users) and broadcast each on its own SSID. This means, for example, that your guest WiFi access is provided on a separate isolated SSID with no access to your company data.

Easy Setup with the DrayTek Wireless app

DrayTek's Wireless app assists you with setting up VigorAP access points.

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 918R as a stand-alone Access Point, or extend an existing wireless network as a Range Extender.

Use the Quick Start Wizard configure your wireless network with step-by-step guidance for AP, Mesh and Range Extender modes.

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

Watch Video

AP & Repeater Modes

The VigorAP 918R can be used as a stand-alone Wireless Access Point, to provide wireless connectivity for a router or network that doesn't currently have wireless.

Access Point mode can create up to 4 separate Wireless networks (or SSIDs). The VigorAP 918R can provide completely separate private and guest wireless networks through the use of 802.1q VLAN tags with a router or network that supports VLAN tagging, such as the DrayTek Vigor 2862 router.

Range Extender (or Universal Repeater) mode allows the VigorAP 918R to extend the wireless coverage of any existing wireless network. In this mode, the VigorAP 918R connects to a remote wireless network, allowing it to provide Internet and Network access to wireless clients that connect to the VigorAP 918R's wireless network.

Mesh - Auto-Optimisation

A DrayTek Mesh Wireless network can easily add new Mesh Nodes and self-organises links between up to 8 DrayTek VigorAP access points, to ensure the best possible speeds.

If a Mesh Node's wireless uplink drops out, for instance if there's interference or the VigorAP it connects to is turned off, each Mesh VigorAP automatically re-connects to the next available point to resumes service without any 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 and nearby wireless Mesh Nodes can join it instead of the Mesh Root to reduce wireless hops and increase possible Mesh throughput.

Multi-SSID over Mesh

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 propagates to Mesh Nodes when syncing the configuration between access points and Multi-SSID over Mesh can be used just like a cabled network of access points. (requires firmware upgrade, est.Q1'20)

Central Management with DrayTek VigorACS

The DrayTek VigorAP 918R can be managed by the DrayTek VigorACS central management system - a cloud platform which can manage most DrayTek products - routers, wireless access points and Ethernet switches, giving you complete visibility and control of your DrayTek product estate, even without a DrayTek Vigor router on site.

The DrayTek VigorACS management system can be used to configure and provision DrayTek VigorAP access points, similarly to performing these actions through the VigorAP's web interface, with a familiar menu layout in the Configuration section of VigorACS.

Profiles for groups of access points can be provisioned in VigorACS by selecting a VigorACS network, then accessing Configuration > AP Profile to configure profiles and apply them selectively.

DrayTek's VigorACS management monitors each VigorAP access point, with a Dashboard view giving a central overview of the most important information from the VigorAP's current status.

Managing a VigorAP in VigorACS

For further details of the VigorACS central management system, click here .

Central Management with a DrayTek Router

Centralised AP Management
Provision & Manage VigorAPs with a DrayTek Vigor router

For further details of the central management feature, click here .

The VigorAP 918R can operate in standalone autonomous mode, but can also form part of a centrally managed wireless installation by adding a compatible DrayTek wireless controller such as the Vigor 2862 router. This enables you to centrally control, manage and administer multiple AP devices installed around your building/campus. Management also enables efficient usage of your wireless access point through load-balancing, whereby wireless clients are distributed across several access points to reduce congestion.

The DrayTek router operating as the wireless controller can provision DrayTek VigorAP access points using the Central AP Management profiles configured on the router, with an option to Auto Provision - auto configuring newly installed VigorAP access points with the Auto Provisioning profile, upon initial connection to the DrayTek Vigor router's network.

Screenshots

DrayTek VigorAP 918R - Web Interface Screenshots

Dashboard

Dashboard view displays important VigorAP usage and status information

Scroll down the Dashboard to see data usage of each SSID and individual clients

Access the Dashboard from a phone or tablet to see the same information, optimally laid out to fit your device

Quick Start Wizard

Use the Quick Start Wizard to set up the VigorAP 918R as an Access Point, Mesh Node or Wireless Repeater

DrayTek Wireless App

Use the DrayTek Wireless app to set up a VigorAP 918R as a Mesh Root. Additional VigorAPs are added into the Mesh network during the setup process:

Mesh Wireless

View the Mesh Wireless status from the DrayTek Wireless app

List the Mesh Wireless APs in the DrayTek Wireless app

Interference Monitor

Use the VigorAP's Interference Monitor to view which wireless channels will give the best performance and clearest signal in each location:

The Interference Monitor can also be used to view noise over time, to help with determining the causes of interference:

Specifications

VigorAP 918R Series

Product Code	EAN	Description
VAP918R-K	4710484720014	VigorAP 918R Outdoor Mesh 802.11ac Wireless Access Point
VAP918RPD-K	4712909129879	VigorAP 918RPD Outdoor Mesh 802.11ac Wireless Access Point with Directional Antenna and PoE-PSE Output

Key Specifications

Outdoor Mesh Wireless Access Point and Range Extender
IP67 - Designed to provide reliable wireless outdoors in all conditions
AC1300 - 11ac 'Wave 2' Dual Band Wireless with Omni-Directional Antennas
5GHz High-Gain Directional Antenna, up to 866Mbps Point-to-Point link (RPD model)
Gigabit Ethernet port with Power over Ethernet Input
VigorAP 918RPD provides 2nd Gigabit Ethernet port with PoE Output
Centrally Managed or Standalone operation

Technical Specification (UK Hardware Spec.)

Operating Modes
- Access Point
- Range Extender
- Mesh Root*
- Mesh Node*
Physical Interfaces/Controls
- 1 x Gigabit Ethernet LAN Port, RJ-45 (PoE-PD input)
- 1 x Gigabit Ethernet LAN Port, RJ-45 (PoE-PSE output, RPD model)
- Factory Reset Button (covered)
- Antenna Connectors: 2x RP-SMA Type
- Built-In Temperature & Humidity Sensor
Wireless Performance
- AC1300 Class Wireless Access Point
- 5GHz: PHY Rate 866Mb/s
- 2.4GHz: PHY Rate 400Mb/s
Wireless LAN Compatibility
- IEEE 802.11ac (Wave 1 & 2)/a/b/g/n
- Frequency Band 2.4 GHz & 5.8Ghz - Simultaneous Operation
- Up to 128 clients per radio – 256 total clients
- Mesh can use 2.4GHz or 5GHz radios for operation
2.4GHz Wireless LAN Features
- 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n
- 20 / 40 MHz
- Up to 400Mb/s total Wi-Fi throughput (PHY Rate):
  - 802.11b/g/n: 300Mb/s PHY rate (150Mb/s per Spatial Stream)
  - 256-QAM: 400Mb/s PHY rate (200Mb/s per Spatial Stream)
5Ghz Wireless LAN Features
- 802.11ac (Wave 1 & 2) / 802.11n / 802.11a
- 20 / 40 / 80 MHz
- Extended 5Ghz Band - Channels 100-140
- DFS/TPC Support
- Multi-User MIMO
- Up to 866Mb/s total Wi-Fi throughput (PHY Rate):
  - 802.11a/n: 300Mb/s PHY rate (150Mb/s per Spatial Stream)
  - 802.11ac: 866Mb/s PHY rate (433Mb/s per Spatial Stream)
Omni-Directional Wireless Antenna
- 2 x Antennae (supplied)
- RP-SMA fitting
- Omni-directional
- Removable
- Weatherproof
- TX/RX Dual-Band
- Gain:
  - 5GHz: 5 dBi
  - 2.4GHz: 3.5 dBi
Directional High-Gain Wireless Antenna (RPD model)
- Internal (Weatherproof)
- 5GHz TX/RX
- 11 dBi Gain at 5GHz
- Uni-Directional
- MIMO (2x2) antenna design
- 30 ° Horizontal Beam width
- 7.5 ° Vertical Beam width
Security Features
- Wireless Encryption:
  - WPA2-Personal (WPA2/PSK)
  - WPA2-802.1x
  - WPA3-Personal
  - WPA3-802.1x*
  - Mixed (WPA2+WPA3)/PSK
  - also supports WPA/WEP (Not recommended)
- MAC Address Filtering (ACL) - Up to 256 entries
- Built in 802.1x server (PEAP / EAP-TLS)
- 802.1x RADIUS Proxy (PEAP / EAP-TLS)
- PMK Caching & Pre-authentication
- Wireless Client Isolation
- Control Isolation of 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
- Hidden SSIDs (Selectable)
- WPS - WiFi Protected Setup
- Mobile Device Management
- EAPOL Key Retry - Disable EAPOL Key Retry to protect unpatched WLAN clients from KRACK
Wireless Management Features
- 802.1q VLAN
- Up to four distinct SSIDs (for VLANs) for each frequency band (2.4/5Ghz)
- o Multi-SSID over Mesh – New! Separate internal and Guest networks over Mesh (requires firmware 1.3.2)*
- Wireless Client Status List in WUI
- Client Limit per radio
- Client Limit per SSID - New!
- MAC Cloning
- Built-in DHCP Server & DHCP Relay
- Trusted DHCP Server IP for WLAN - New! - Only specified DHCP server IP can assign IP addresses to WLAN clients
- Station Control - Time limit wireless connectivity per Station (e.g. 1 hour) & set allowed Reconnection time (e.g. 1 day)
- Device Object/Group Control - New! - Schedule Internet access for individual devices or groups
- Wireless Auto On/Off - New! - Disable Wireless if VigorAP is unable to ping specified host
Wireless Performance Optimisation
- Airtime Fairness
- Band Steering
- Client Steering – 802.11v
- AP-Assisted Client Mobility
- Fast Roaming - 802.11r
- WMM (Wireless MultiMedia)
- Bandwidth Management (Per Station / Per SSID)
Diagnostic Features
- System Log
- Speed Test
- Traffic Graph - AP Traffic & Per Station
- Data Flow Monitor - View live traffic usage per WLAN client
- Wireless LAN Statistics
- Interference Monitor - Built-in Site Surveyor
- Integrated Temperature & Humidity Sensor
Management
- Web Interface (HTTP/HTTPS)
- DHCP Client
- TR-069 Control (For VigorACS or other TR-069 platform)
- CLI (Command Line Interface) – Telnet
- Access Control List for management interfaces
- Firmware upgrade by TR-069/HTTP
- Central AP Management (from compatible DrayTek router/controller)
- SNMP v2, v2c, v3
- Management VLAN
- Configuration File Export (with password) & Import
Power Specifications
- Maximum Power Consumption:
  - VigorAP 918R: up to 18 Watts
  - VigorAP 918RPD without PoE-PSE Passthrough: up to 18 Watts
  - VigorAP 918RPD with PoE-PSE Passthrough: 43.2 Watts
- PoE-PSE - Passthrough Power Output at 100m (VigorAP 918RPD):
  - 802.3at power source: up to 12 Watts output
  - VigorPoE-600 PoE Injector power source: up to 18 Watts output
- PoE Standards: 802.3at
- PoE adapter not supplied, requires PoE injector such as the VigorPoE-600 or a PoE switch such as the VigorSwitch P1092
Environmental & Physical
- Operating Temperature: -40 ° C to 70 ° C
- Operating Humidity: 5% to 95% (Non-condensing)
- Physical Dimensions:
  - Height without Antenna & Port Covers: 244mm
  - Height with Antenna & Port Covers: 460mm
  - Width: 161mm
  - Depth: 72mm
- Weight: 1kg
- Pole or Wall Mountable
Pack Contents
- VigorAP 918R series wireless access point
- 2x Dual-Band Outdoor Antenna
- 2x Stainless Adjustable Pipe Clamps
- Ground Wire (1 Meter Length)
- Quick Start Guide
- Ethernet Cable
- Directional Mounting Kit (VigorAP 918RPD only)
ROHS & CE Compliant
Warranty
- Two (2) Year Manufacturer's RTB
- Optional VigorCare Enhanced Warranty Available
  - VigorCare B3 3 Year Subscription: VCARE-B3
  - VigorCare B5 5 Year Subscription: VCARE-B5