wireless access points and wireless routers

[weilssss]

what's the difference between wireless routers and wireless access points?

 

[InlineFour]

wireless routers are a switch and access point built into one box. you're restricted to where you put the wireless router because everything is built into one box.

wireless access points are just for wireless with a couple extra wireless features. you can move them freely and have the best wireless signal.

for the average consumer, a wireless router is what you'll need. they're also cheaper than wireless access points.

 

[weilssss]

so a wireless access point cannot support multiple computers on the wireless network?

 

[tkistre]

Yes, a wireless access point can support more than one computer.

The main difference is that a Access Point has no routing capability. It will have to be plugged into a router somewhere. It is only providing a wireless signal. A wireless router is an Access Point, but not all Access Points are necessary routers, if you follow what I mean.

I have a wireless router on one side of my house, with a network wire running from it to the other side of my house to a wireless Access Point. That way I have a continuous wireless signal throughout my house. It was not practical to place the wireless router in the center of my house, so this worked great for me.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: tkistre
Yes, a wireless access point can support more than one computer.

The main difference is that a Access Point has no routing capability. It will have to be plugged into a router somewhere. It is only providing a wireless signal. A wireless router is an Access Point, but not all Access Points are necessary routers, if you follow what I mean.

I have a wireless router on one side of my house, with a network wire running from it to the other side of my house to a wireless Access Point. That way I have a continuous wireless signal throughout my house. It was not practical to place the wireless router in the center of my house, so this worked great for me.

QFT. I set up several wireless APs at work and they all connect and are powered by the POE (power over ethernet) router in the server room. So no matter where you are at in my office WI-FI is all around.