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If you're looking to build an advanced DIY Wi-Fi mesh system, here's some good news. Today, TP-Link announced the availability of its Omada Cloud Essentials as an option for those who want to build the system without a local controller.
Specifically, if you want to start a Wi-Fi system using a couple of Oamda access points today, there's no need to get anything else but the APs themselves, as long as you already have a router. And that can be a huge deal.
Omada Cloud Essentials: A new competitive edge
Originally, in order to manage multiple Oamda access points to form a mesh system, users needed to have a local controller with two options:
- A hardware controller such as the OC200 or OC300.
- A software controller: A network computer running the Omada SDN software application.
Only after that can the system be set up and managed via a cloud-based portal as an option. The requirement of a controller incurs additional hardware costs and a longer setup time. This is where the new Omada Cloud Essentials comes into play. It allows users to plug the access point directly into the cloud without a middleman.
It's worth noting, however, that the new Omada Cloud Essentials doesn't make the controllers obsolete—it doesn't have access to all the features and settings of Omada hardware. For that, there's also the Omada Cloud Standard option, which requires a subscription and can do everything for enterprise or big-business users.
The table below includes the differences between these management options.
TP-Link Omada’s management options
| Cloud-Based Controller | On-Premises Controller (Hybrid Cloud) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omada Cloud Essentials | Omada Cloud Standard | Omada Hardware Controller (OC400 / OC300 / OC200) | Omada Software Controller | |
| Pricing (from TP-Link) | Free | Device License Free | Cost of the hardware controller | Free |
| Cloud-based Access (free) | Yes (mandatory) | Yes (optional) | ||
| Characteristics | • Easy Setup, Use, and Maintenance • Essential Features without the Complexity Required by Larger-Scale Operations | • Advanced Functions for Professional and Comprehensive Network Settings | • No Need to Keep Your PC Running • Flexible On-premises and Cloud Management | • No Hardware Investment • Flexible On-premises and Cloud Management |
| Designed for | • Surveillance Networking• Hostels • Big Houses • Small Offices | • Medium / Large Multi-site Networks • Hotels, Schools, Retail, MDU, • Medium to Large Offices | • Small/Medium Local Networks • Hotels, Retail, MDU, Small to Medium Offices and Schools | • Medium/Large Local Networks • Hotels, Schools, Retail, MDU, Medium to Large Offices |
| Management Scale | Unlimited | 100~1,000 Devices | Unlimited | |
| Zero-Touch Provisioning | Yes | No | ||
| MSP Mode for Multi-Customer Management | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Multi-User Privilege Assignment | Yes | |||
| Configuration | ||||
| VLAN | Yes | |||
| Port Management | Yes | |||
| PPSK | No | Yes | ||
| VPN | WireGuard | L2TP / PPTP / SSL / OpenVPN / IPSec / WireGuard | ||
| Fast Roaming & Mesh | Yes | |||
| Security | ||||
| Port Isolation | Yes | |||
| Portal Authentication | Simple Password / Voucher / Form Auth | Simple Password / Voucher / Form Auth / Local User / SMS / Radius Server / External LADP Server / External Portal Server | ||
| ACL | No | Yes | ||
| IPS/IDS | No | Yes | ||
| DPI | No | Yes | ||
| Maintenance | ||||
| Topology | Yes | |||
| Troubleshooting | SSH / Network Check / Terminal | SSH / Network Check / Terminal / Packet Capture | ||
| Logs / Alerts | Basic | Advanced | ||
| Open API | No | Yes | Yes (except OC200) | Yes |
| WLAN Optimization | No | Yes | ||
More flexibility, ease-of-use for users
As mentioned in the table, Omada Cloud Essentials doesn't have everything. However, for most homes or small businesses, it has more than enough.
Most importantly, it exists as an option, and if you have already set up your network with a controller, you're not missing out on anything.
TP-Link says Omada Cloud Essentials is free for life. If you're overwhelmed by the information in the table above, here are its key highlights per the company:
- Lifetime Free Cloud: Enjoy cloud management without any additional fees.
- No Hardware or Software Needed: Fully cloud-based, eliminating the need for on-premises setup.
- Simplified Setup and Maintenance: Easy to set up, use, and maintain, reducing the complexity of network management.
- Zero-Touch Provisioning: Remotely deploy and set up networks quickly. There is no need to send out an engineer for on-site configuration.
- Cloud Centralized Management for Multiple Sites: Access and manage via the Omada app or web interface anytime, anywhere.
- Scalability and Upgrade Path: Manage unlimited devices and seamlessly upgrade to Omada Cloud Standard with a subscription without needing new hardware.
As a cloud-based controller, Omada Cloud Essentials requires an account with TP-Link to work. In other words, you managed the network via the vendor.
TP-Link and your privacy
Having to sign in with an account generally means your hardware connects to the vendor at all times, which translates into inherent privacy risks.
On this matter, the Chinese networking company, among other things, insists that it's a "global multinational group" and offers this assurance:
"TP-Link takes privacy seriously and complies with U.S. policies to protect consumers."
TP-Link's Privacy Policy page.
Managing your home network via a third party is never a good idea. Privacy is a matter of degree. Data collection and handling vary vendor by vendor.
However, that's the case with all cloud-based solutions, including those from competitors, such as Ubiquiti UniFi or EnGenius FIT. In fact, the addition of Omada Cloud Essentials makes TP-Link's Omada more competitive since this option has been available to other vendors for years.
In terms of setup and management, per TP-Link, Omada Cloud Essentials is slated to be super easy to use. All you need is an account with TP-Link. After that, sign in using the Omada mobile app or the web portal, and the Omada hardware—access points, gateways, or switches—connected to your network will be automatically detected. You can also add them by entering the serial numbers or scanning their QR code. The rest is self-explanatory and similar to the case when you use a local controller.
The takeaway
Omada Cloud Essentials is a welcome development and a win for end-users. It helps make the Omada ecosystem more accessible and even more affordable. Removing the local controller requirement also makes the network less cluttered.
But there's a catch. The privacy notion aside, the network is not available for customization when the Internet is down. But that's the innate dilemma when opting for anything cloud-based.
Dong,
Which of the TP-Link Omada’s management options give you the availability to configure the wifi channels, bands and power levels?
Thank you
All of them, Alex.
This is perfect. Thank you Dong
salutations monsieur dong ngo ,
moi je voulais juste savoir, est ce que quelqu’un qui se trouve dans un environnement très très peuplé pourra vraiment bloquer des appareils connectés a son réseau exemple jusqu’à environ 300 – 400 – voir même 500 appareils en illimité ou en limitant leur vitesse de connexion, si oui comment faut-il procéder à ça avec tp link omada ou omada cloud essentials ou s’il ya un autre moyen de Les empêcher sur son réseau
Merci.
That’s not blocking but bandwith-limiting. And yes, you can do that via your router or the settings of the Omada Wi-Fi network. It’s a basic function. However, if you want to be able to limit a particular device, the best option is via an UniFi router.
It’s not possible for me to type in French, which requires a different keyboard layout.
I’m sure even cloud-controlled Omada APs have to be behind a router. Does it matter which one, or can you use any router that will support the APs & their clients (preferably either non-Wi-Fi or with its own Wi-Fi disabled)?
And are there any Omada Wi-Fi 6E or 7 APs yet? I only saw Wi-Fi 6 max in the article.
That’s the case of access points in general. There are Wi-Fi 7 APs.