Yes, APs can be aggregated using switches, typically through access switches connected to aggregation switches, which consolidate traffic for higher bandwidth and redundancy.

How AP Aggregation Works

Access Points (APs) are usually connected to access switches, which provide PoE and network connectivity. These access switches can then be uplinked to aggregation switches, which consolidate traffic from multiple access switches and forward it to the core network . Aggregation switches often support link aggregation protocols like LACP or static link aggregation, allowing multiple physical links to act as a single logical connection, increasing bandwidth and providing failover in case of link failure .

Practical Considerations

• Bandwidth Matching: Modern APs, such as the Meraki MR56, support multi-gigabit Ethernet (up to 5 Gbps). To fully utilize this, the uplinks from the access switch to the aggregation switch should support multi-gig speeds; otherwise, the AP's traffic may be bottlenecked .
• PoE and Power Limits: Each AP consumes power (often 25W or more). Aggregating many APs on a single switch requires ensuring the switch can supply sufficient PoE and may require multiple power supplies .
• Redundancy and Distribution: Best practice is to spread APs across multiple access switches. If one switch fails, only a portion of the wireless network is affected, preventing a total outage .
• Management VLANs: Aggregation switches can manage multiple access switches and APs using VLANs and auto-negotiation for management traffic, simplifying deployment and monitoring .

Example Setup

1. Connect APs to access switches using multi-gig ports if available.
2. Uplink access switches to an aggregation switch using high-speed SFP+ or multi-gig ports.
3. Configure link aggregation on the uplinks to combine multiple physical connections into a single logical link.
4. Use VLANs to separate management and user traffic, ensuring efficient traffic flow and easier troubleshooting.

Benefits

• Higher throughput: Aggregation switches can handle combined traffic from multiple APs without creating bottlenecks.
• Redundancy: Link aggregation and multiple uplinks provide failover capabilities.
• Simplified management: Centralized aggregation allows easier monitoring and configuration of AP traffic. In summary, while APs themselves are not directly “aggregated,” their traffic can be effectively consolidated through access switches connected to aggregation switches, leveraging link aggregation, multi-gig uplinks, and proper network design to maximize performance and reliability .