question about access points/range extenders/bridges

[BriGy86]

what are the differences?

in talking on a retail scale, since i want to know what the tell customers when they ask

are there certain feature that one has over the other?

-bridge
-access point
-range extender

please define what makes them different and cost more money than the next

thanks

 

[casper114]

Bridge-A device which forwards traffic between network segments based on datalink layer information. These segments would have a common network layer address

access point- is simply a point to which you can gain access to a network or internet. Wireless are most common, but I suppose you could consider any device that connects you to the internet or a local network an access point.

range extender(repeater)- regenerates a signal accross a type of media for data quality.

 

[BriGy86]

yeah im talking about al wireless devices, thanks for your info

but from your defenitions a range extender and a bridge sound about the same, can a wi-fi nic connect to all of the above or only some?

 

[EKKC]

not really the same. when you're talking about wireless devices,

bridge - enables wired devices to be on a wireless network (example, the linksys gaming adapter, xbox wireless adapter, wireless music adapters are all consumer level wireless bridges) but yes you can hook a switch to a bridge and then you should be able to hook up multiple wired devices on the bridge.

range extender - takes the wireless signal and amplify/re-broadcast the signal so the wireless clients have better connection.

feel free to correct me where im wrong. i am no expert in networking.

 

[JackMDS]

May be this can Help.

Link: Wireless Network - Configuration Modes.

Link to: Wireless Cable/DSL Router or Access Point - What should I get?

:sun:

 

[ktwebb]

Originally posted by: EKKC
not really the same. when you're talking about wireless devices,

bridge - enables wired devices to be on a wireless network (example, the linksys gaming adapter, xbox wireless adapter, wireless music adapters are all consumer level wireless bridges) but yes you can hook a switch to a bridge and then you should be able to hook up multiple wired devices on the bridge.

range extender - takes the wireless signal and amplify/re-broadcast the signal so the wireless clients have better connection.

feel free to correct me where im wrong. i am no expert in networking.

Nope you pretty much have it.

Bridge-either connects two wired networks via a wireless link or what you referenced is a workgroup bridge, or wireless ethernet client. Bridges are used for point to point or point to multipoint wireless WAN's. Connecting wired LAN A to Wired LAN B. WOrkgroup bridges communicate with AP's, not other bridges (unless they are in Ad Hoc mode) and allow one or more wired clients access to the wired lan the AP is plugged into

Range extender is a repeater. Takes the wireless signal from an AP, not a bridge, and re-broadcasts it to wireless clients.

An AP is what was mentioned before. You have a wired infrastructure of some kind and you want to add wireless connectivity. An AP is a wireless hub, if you understand what a hub is. Just allow wireless clients access to the existing LAN.