An access point (AP) operates in a network of APs, each configured with a distinct IP address with which to communicate with a wide area network (WAN), and each configured to connect wirelessly with wireless client devices seeking access to the WAN via the each AP. The AP derives, based on the distinct IP address, a standalone pool of IP addresses for assignment to wireless client devices, such that the IP addresses do not overlap with IP addresses of any other standalone pool of IP addresses derived by any other of the APs; The AP operates in a standalone mode to: receive from wireless client devices connecting with the AP respective requests for IP addresses for use by the wireless client devices; and responsive to each request, dynamically assign to the wireless client device that sent the request a respective IP address from the standalone pool of IP addresses.