what is the difference between a wireless router and an access point?

Question

what do you need to have a wireless network and to acces the internet?what is the difference between an access point and a wireless router?what does each do?do you need both?which of them do you need?

Answer 1

You do not need a wireless connection to access the internet. You can use a wired connection using ethernet cable connected from the modem or router to the NIC on your PC. The downside of a wired connection is that you are fixed to one spot. This is great for a desktop but limits a laptop.

In order to get a wireless connection you will need a wireless router. The router will serve as a wireless access point and connect to the modem provided by your internet provider. An access point is simply a device that provides a wireless connection to a wired network. For most users that is a wireless router.

As to the difference between a router and an access point, simply put, a router has several functions including translating IP address, establishing routing tables, providing DNS, DHCP and security services. An access point is one of the services provided by your wireless router. The access point service provides an SSID, which is basically a connection share name, and a receiver for the frequencies generated by your wireless NIC.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

A plain access point is usually also a wireless range extender. By default, it is set to a access point. This means you wire it to your router. A plain wireless access point is useful if you already have a router. If you have 2 routers in your home, it is difficult to get the computers connected to different routers to talk to each other. This is not a problem when you buy just the plain access point instead of buying another router just to get something that is wireless.



However, if it is OK to replace the wireless router, then I would just go and buy another router. You can usually get them cheaper for some reason. If you need to get a better signal, you can get that wireless range extender. There are also powerline wireless access points that work great as well.



In my house, I wired my basement for ethernet while we were finishing out basement. I stupidly put all the network and Internet jacks on the north side of the house in the basement. My bedroom is on the wireless, and it is up on the third floor on the south side of the house. My signal sucks when I put the wireless access point in that den. But using my ethernet jacks I installed, I have a wired router (well actually a wireless router with the antenna's removed) in my den and a wireless range extender acting as a standard access point in the center of my basement. I know this paragraph doesn't have anything to do with anything but I just couldn't resist.

Answer 3

The main feature of wireless router is to work as a router, means it will send/receive network packets to/from wireless network and Internet. Usually there is NAT feature on the router, which means all home network IPs will be translated to broadband WAN IP when accessing to Internet. Also the router will act as access point at the same time, so that other computers can connect to the network wirelessly.

Answer 4

In computer networking, a wireless access point (WAP or AP) is a device that allows wireless communication devices to connect to a wireless network. The WAP usually connects to a wired network, and can relay data between the wireless devices (such as computers or printers) and wired devices on the network.



A wireless router is a network device that performs the functions of a router but also includes the functions of a wireless access point. It can function in a wired LAN, a wireless only LAN, or a mixed wired/wireless network. Most current wireless routers have the following characteristics:



* LAN ports, which function in the same manner as the ports of a network switch

* A WAN port, to connect to a wider area network. The routing functions are filtered using this port. If it is not used, many functions of the router will be bypassed.

* Wireless antennae. These allow connections from other wireless devices (NICs (network interface cards), wireless repeaters, wireless access points, and wireless bridges, for example).





The best thing you need to cover the cost and the work loads just buy Modem with wireless router instead of buying moden and router.



And the AP or access point it gives broader support about another 32 wireless computer might connect to your router.



Any helpfull?

Answer 5

For a home wireless network all you need is a wireless router, modem and a cabled internet connection. Your internet will go to the modem. The modem will go to the router. You'll have to set up the router as well, name the network, etc. But once you've done that (and secured it) you should be good to go. If you are using a laptop it should see the wireless network. If not, go to network connections and you should see yours there.

Someone else might be able to explain an access point better than I can.