With the advancement of technology, new gadgets continually emerge to help maintain connectivity in both homes and businesses. Two key pieces of technology that play crucial roles in network management are routers and access points (APs). This blog will help you understand the differences and similarities between routers and access points, allowing you to better plan your home or business network.
What Is a Router?
A router is a device that directs, or “routes,” your internet connection. It takes the public IP address provided by your internet service and assigns local IP addresses to multiple devices within your network, such as laptops, phones, and other internet-capable devices. Routers detect when a device wants to connect to the internet from the local network and manage that connection.
What Is an Access Point (AP)?
Access points are devices that allow wireless devices to connect to a local area network (LAN). They extend wireless coverage, enabling a larger network and allowing more users to connect. Access points are usually connected to routers or switches via Ethernet cables, providing Wi-Fi connectivity to devices like laptops and smartphones.
Key Differences Between Routers and Access Points
1. Functionality
Consumer-grade routers typically serve as wireless routers, Ethernet routers, and sometimes even as small Ethernet switches. They create and manage a local network, handling both wired and wireless traffic. Access points, on the other hand, focus solely on managing wireless traffic. While access points can provide some routing functions, they mainly serve to extend wireless coverage.
2. Connectivity
In a residential setting, wireless routers provide Wi-Fi directly, or you can extend your network by adding access points through a switch. However, in a corporate environment, a router alone might not be sufficient to provide Wi-Fi coverage. Access points are often needed to ensure broader and more reliable wireless coverage.
3. Coverage
A router can usually provide sufficient wireless coverage in a small home or office. For larger spaces or environments with high user density, access points are necessary to ensure adequate coverage. Multiple APs can be strategically placed to optimize coverage and avoid dead zones.
4. User Capacity
Access points are particularly useful in large spaces like offices, schools, hotels, and public venues where many users need to connect simultaneously. They function as wireless switches, providing connectivity to multiple users across wide areas. When setting up a network, it’s important to consider the size of the space and the number of users to determine the number of access points needed.
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