--- title: Understanding Internet-of-Things Wi-Fi Designs – Hosted & Hostless description: This white paper explains the differences between hosted and hostless Wi-Fi IoT connectivity designs. --- [![Silex Technology](https://www.silextechnology.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/silex/images/logo.svg "Silex Technology")](https://www.silextechnology.com/?hsLang=en-us) - [Connectivity Solutions](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions) - [Services](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions/software-services) - [Integration Services](https://www.silextechnology.com/de/software-service/integration-services) - [Customization Services](https://www.silextechnology.com/de/software-service/customization-services) - [Certification Services](https://www.silextechnology.com/software-service/global-certification-compliance) - [Applications](https://www.silextechnology.com/application-expertise) - [Medical ](https://www.silextechnology.com/medical) - [Transportation & Logistics](https://www.silextechnology.com/application-expertise/transportation-and-logistics) - [Factory Automation](https://www.silextechnology.com/application-expertise/factory-automation) - [Resources](https://www.silextechnology.com/resources) - [Resource Center](https://www.silextechnology.com/resources) - [Unwired Blog](https://www.silextechnology.com/unwired) - [Support Center](https://www.silextechnology.com/support) - [Security Center](https://www.silextechnology.com/security-center) - [Company](https://www.silextechnology.com/company) - [About Silex](https://www.silextechnology.com/company) - [Why Silex](https://www.silextechnology.com/why-silex) - [Technology Partnerships](https://www.silextechnology.com/why-silex/partner) - [News](https://www.silextechnology.com/unwired/topic/news) - [Careers](https://www.silextechnology.com/company/careers) [ Where to buy ](https://www.silextechnology.com/where-to-purchase?hsLang=en-us) [ Contact sales ](https://www.silextechnology.com/contact-us?hsLang=en-us) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ![Embedded](https://www.silextechnology.com/hubfs/silex/image/Embedded.svg) [ Embedded Wireless Modules ](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=embedded-wireless-modules&hsLang=en-us) - [Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=embedded-wireless-modules&categories=wi-fi-7-80211be) - [Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=embedded-wireless-modules&categories=wi-fi-6e-80211ax) - [Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=embedded-wireless-modules&categories=wi-fi-6-80211ax) - [Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=embedded-wireless-modules&categories=wi-fi-5-80211ac) ![Copy of Product icons home (40 x 40 px) (2)](https://www.silextechnology.com/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Product%20icons%20home%20(40%20x%2040%20px)%20(2).svg) [ Platform & SOMs ](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=platform--soms&hsLang=en-us) - [EP-200Q](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions/platform-and-soms/ep-200q) - [EP-200N](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions-platform-and-som-ep-200n) ![Network System Solutions](https://www.silextechnology.com/hubfs/silex/image/Network%20System.svg) [ Network System Solutions ](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=network-systems-solutions&hsLang=en-us) - [Ethernet to Wi-Fi Bridge](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=network-systems-solutions&type=ethernet-to-wi-fi-bridge) - [USB/Serial Connectivity](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=network-systems-solutions&type=usb-serial-connectivity) - [Wi-Fi HaLow Connectivity](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=network-systems-solutions&type=wi-fi-halow-connectivity) - [Wi-Fi Access Points](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=network-systems-solutions&type=wi-fi-access-points) - [Industrial Connectivity](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=network-systems-solutions&type=industrial-connectivity) - [Wireless Monitoring](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=network-systems-solutions&type=wireless-monitoring) #### NEW: EP-200N AMC Edge SoM. Powered by NXP® i.MX 95, delivering secure, safe and reliable connectivity for industrial and medical applications. ![EP-200N-01](https://www.silextechnology.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EP-200N-01.png?width=100&height=100&name=EP-200N-01.png) [ Learn more ](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions-platform-and-som-ep-200n?hsLang=en-us) ###### WHITE PAPER ## Understanding Internet-of-Things Wi-Fi® Designs – Hosted & Hostless ### Understanding Internet-of-Things Wi-Fi® Designs #### Hosted & Hostless The terms “Hosted” and “Hostless” are widely used but not well defined. They are based on the needs of customers’ application. These two different approaches are popular in the rapidly growing Internet-of-Things (IoT) connectivity space. This white paper explains the differences between hosted and hostless Wi-Fi IoT connectivity designs. The following is a Table of Contents of this White Paper Executive Summary Part 1: Introduction to Connectivity for IoT - Wi-Fi Connectivity for IoT Part 2: Hosted and Hostless Mode Description - When and Why choose Hosted Mode & Hostless Mode Part 3: Step by Step Process of Adding Wi-Fi - Steps Required to Choose a Suitable Wi-Fi Solution for Hosted Mode - Steps Required to Choose a Suitable Hostless Wi-Fi Module Part 4: SX-ULPGN from Silex Technology - A Low Cost Hostless IoT Wi-Fi Module - UART AT Command Set for Hosted Mode - Evaluation Support - [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.silextechnology.com%2Fwhite-paper%2Funderstanding-internet-of-things-wi-fi-designs-hosted-hostless) - [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/home?status=LP%3A+Understanding+Internet-of-Things+Wi-Fi+Designs+%E2%80%93+Hosted+%26amp%3B+Hostless%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.silextechnology.com%2Fwhite-paper%2Funderstanding-internet-of-things-wi-fi-designs-hosted-hostless) - [LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.silextechnology.com%2Fwhite-paper%2Funderstanding-internet-of-things-wi-fi-designs-hosted-hostless&title=LP%3A%20Understanding%20Internet-of-Things%20Wi-Fi%20Designs%20%E2%80%93%20Hosted%20%26amp%3B%20Hostless&summary=This+white+paper+explains+the+differences+between+hosted+and+hostless+Wi-Fi+IoT+connectivity+designs.&source=) - [Email ](mailto:?subject=LP%3A%20Understanding%20Internet-of-Things%20Wi-Fi%20Designs%20%E2%80%93%20Hosted%20%26amp%3B%20Hostless&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.silextechnology.com%2Fwhite-paper%2Funderstanding-internet-of-things-wi-fi-designs-hosted-hostless) [![Silex Technology](https://www.silextechnology.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/silex/images/logo.svg "Silex Technology")](https://www.silextechnology.com/?hsLang=en-us) ### Subscribe to our blog - [**](https://x.com/silextechnology) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/silex-technology-america/) - [**](https://www.youtube.com/user/SilexTechnology) ##### Solutions - [Embedded Wireless Modules](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=embedded-wireless-modules) - [Platform & SOMs](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=platform--soms) - [Network System Solutions](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions?services=network-systems-solutions) - [Services](https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions/software-services) ##### Applications - [Medical Device Connectivity](https://www.silextechnology.com/application-expertise/medical-devices-learn-more) - [Transportation & Logistics](https://www.silextechnology.com/de/application-expertise/transportation-and-logistics) - [Factory Automation](https://www.silextechnology.com/application-expertise/factory-automation) ##### Resources - [Resource Center](https://www.silextechnology.com/resources) - [Unwired Blog](https://www.silextechnology.com/unwired) - [Support Center](https://www.silextechnology.com/support) ##### Company - [About Silex](https://www.silextechnology.com/company) - [Why Silex](https://www.silextechnology.com/why-silex) - [Partnerships](https://www.silextechnology.com/why-silex/partner) - [News](https://www.silextechnology.com/unwired/topic/news) - [Careers](https://www.silextechnology.com/company/careers) ##### Contact - [U.S. Sales](mailto:sales@silexamerica.com) - [Europe Sales](mailto:sales@silexeurope.com) - [Customer Support](https://www.silextechnology.com/support/contact-silex-support) © 2026 Silex Technology America, Inc. 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