What’s the difference between Access Point mode and Router mode on the Halo?

This article explains the difference between Router mode and Access Point mode of Halo as well as shows the features under these two operation modes.

After successfully setting up the Halo network, the Halo units will work in Router mode by default. When the Halo works in Router mode, it performs as a gateway device, so it has some gateway features like Antivirus, Parental Controls, QoS, DHCP Server, etc.

Users can select Access Point mode when there is an existing router in front of the main Halo. In this case, the existing router will work as a gateway device and the main Halo is used to share the internet connection by connecting to the LAN port of the existing router. In Access Point mode, the gateway features will disappear on the MERCUSYS app.

If you want to configure the Halo to Access Point mode, please refer to How to set up Halo to work in Access Point mode.

Below are the feature differences between the Router and AP mode.

Features	Router mode supported	AP mode supported
Network Optimization	Yes	Yes
Deny List	Yes	Yes
Update Halo	Yes	Yes
WPS	Yes	Yes
Monthly Report	Yes	Yes
Managers	Yes	Yes
Fast Roaming	Yes	Yes
LED Control	Yes	Yes
Operation Mode	Yes	Yes
Parental Controls	Yes	No
QoS	Yes	No
IPv4/IPv6/LAN IP/DHCP server/MAC Clone	Yes	No
IPTV/VLAN	Yes	No
Address Reservation	Yes	No
Port Forwarding	Yes	No
DDNS	Yes	No
SIP ALG	Yes	No
UPnP	Yes	No
Reboot Schedule	Yes	Yes
Notifications	Support Update Firmware, Security Database Updated, Parental Controls, Monthly Report, Device Alerts, and Promotional Messages notifications	Support Update Firmware, Monthly Report, Device Alerts, and Promotional Messages notifications

Note:

When the Halo system works in Router mode, the Main Halo is a gateway router, other Halo units are similar to normal client devices, they are connected to the main Halo through wireless or Ethernet cables.

When the Halo system works in Access Point mode, there has to be the main Router in front of the main Halo, providing Internet. In this case, the main Halo and other Halo units are basically equal, they are clients of the main Router.