wireless router = access point?

[JEDI]

a wireless router is the same thing as an access point, right?

 

[Cerebus451]

An access point is the receiver for the wireless. This can be a router, it can also just be a switch or a hub, or even just a box that connects to a switch or a hub. Basically, the access point is the "other end" of your wireless connection from the wireless NIC card.

 

[JEDI]

ok then, whats a router (in simple terms)? why not just get a wireless hub?

 

[Rallispec]

yes, a router does the same functions as an access point, and then some. if you have a wireless router, you do not need an additional access point.

 

[Rallispec]

a hub assigns ever computer on the network a different IP..

but if you're trying to share an internet connection from you're cable company, they only give you 1 IP adress. A router can take this IP adress and internet connection, and then create a sort of private network and share that internet connection. In essence, letting every computer on the network share the 1 IP adress, and give them a private network IP at the same time.

a router hub also is a lot slower than a hub. A 10/100 router allows each computer to go at 100 speeds. a 10/100 router has to split up the speed between each computer, so 4 computers on a4 port hub 10/100 hub may only actually be getting speeds of 20-30mbps each.

 

[Descartes]

<< ok then, whats a router (in simple terms)? why not just get a wireless hub? >>



You don't really buy a "wireless hub", as that makes little sense. You buy a wireless access point that simply interfaces with an existing hub.

 

[Descartes]

<< a hub assigns ever computer on the network a different IP.. >>



That's not the function of a hub. A hub has no knowledge of protocols on a given ethernet network. It simply takes the information sent to it and "broadcasts" it to all nodes connected, it's up to the implementing protocol stack on the host of each node to respond to these "broadcasts".

 

[Rallispec]

an access point is the exact same thing as a hub.

if you're just doing a wiresless network, chances are you can get away with just an access point. If you're doing wired and wireless, you'll need either a hub and an access point, or a wireless router which usually include a built in hub or switch.


a switch is like a hub, but similar to a router in that it dedicates the full speed to each port on it.

 

[Descartes]

<< so 4 computers on a4 port hub 10/100 hub may only actually be getting speeds of 20-30mbps each. >>



Not to be pedantic, but that's not accurate. A hub has absolutely 0 knowledge of the connected nodes. A hub imposes no limits on the connected nodes, so each node is capable of full 100mbps throughput. A hub is susceptible to broadcast storms, and the broadcasting nature of a hub obviously limits the throughput, but it doesn't equally split up the throughput between each connected node.

 

[Rallispec]

<<

<< a hub assigns ever computer on the network a different IP.. >>



That's not the function of a hub. A hub has no knowledge of protocols on a given ethernet network. It simply takes the information sent to it and "broadcasts" it to all nodes connected, it's up to the implementing protocol stack on the host of each node to respond to these "broadcasts". >>




Yeah, i know... i am just trying to put in simple terms. But you're right. I guess i coudl have worded it better... But the end result of 2 computers on a hub is 2 computers getting 2 seperate IP's. On home network, or say a college network where you are not limited to 1 IP address this works fine.

 

[Rallispec]

<<

<< so 4 computers on a4 port hub 10/100 hub may only actually be getting speeds of 20-30mbps each. >>



Not to be pedantic, but that's not accurate. A hub has absolutely 0 knowledge of the connected nodes. A hub imposes no limits on the connected nodes, so each node is capable of full 100mbps throughput. A hub is susceptible to broadcast storms, and the broadcasting nature of a hub obviously limits the throughput, but it doesn't equally split up the throughput between each connected node. >>




heheh.. yeah, i know. again.. just trying to keep it simple. I'm guessing if somebody doesnt know the difference between a router and a hub, they dont know about "nodes" and "broadcast storms, and the broadcasting nature of a hub"...

and i didnt say it split it up equally, i just meant that not each computer would be able to use the full bandwidth at the same time.

 

[Descartes]

<< an access point is the exact same thing as a hub. >>



That's seriously oversimplifying things...



<< a switch is like a hub, but similar to a router in that it dedicates the full speed to each port on it. >>



A switch is in no way like a router. A router generally has 2 (ethernet) ports: one for each interface for which it routes traffic. Yes, many (lower end) routers these days have built-in switches, but a switch does not a router make, and a router does not a switch make.

 

[Descartes]

<< heheh.. yeah, i know. again.. just trying to keep it simple. I'm guessing if somebody doesnt know the difference between a router and a hub, they dont know about "nodes" and "broadcast storms, and the broadcasting nature of a hub"...

and i didnt say it split it up equally, i just meant that not each computer would be able to use the full bandwidth at the same time. >>



Good point I sometimes jump on the "that's not entirely accurate" train too soon, sorry...

 

[Rallispec]

<< << a switch is like a hub, but similar to a router in that it dedicates the full speed to each port on it. >>



A switch is in no way like a router. A router generally has 2 (ethernet) ports: one for each interface for which it routes traffic. Yes, many (lower end) routers these days have built-in switches, but a switch does not a router make, and a router does not a switch make.
>>



My router ( a d-link 713p -wireless-) has a built in switch... and i guess i'm just so used to seeing home network type routers with built in switches that i jumped the gun on that one.

you are correct though. a router is in no way a switch, and a switch is no way a router.
Descartes, are you a tech support guy?

 

[Descartes]

<< Descartes, are you a tech support guy? >>



No, software engineer actually, but I have done support in the past.... the wounds have yet to heal.

 

[Rallispec]

<<

<< Descartes, are you a tech support guy? >>



No, software engineer actually, but I have done support in the past.... the wounds have yet to heal. >>



hehe.. yeah, i know the pain. i've never actually done any official tech support. But i'm the resident "computer guy" here in my college dorm.. So its like all the fun of tech support, minus the money. :|

sorry XFILE, i'd say we hijacked your thread somewhat.