The difference between a wireless AP and a wireless router

Just like many users can easily confuse the wireless card and wireless card, many users are not clear wireless AP and wireless routing.

Wireless AP, or access point, that is, wireless access points. In simple terms, WiFi sharing in the Internet wireless switch, it is the mobile terminal users into the wired network access point, mainly for home broadband, enterprise internal network deployment, wireless coverage distance of dozens of meters to hundreds of meters, the current main technology for the 802.11X series. The General wireless AP also comes with an access point client mode, which means that the AP can have wireless links between them, thereby expanding the coverage of the WiFi sharing Internet.

The current wireless APs can be divided into two categories: the simple AP and the extended AP.

Because of the lack of routing function, the simple AP is the equivalent of a wireless switch, providing only a wireless signal launch function. It works is the network signal transmission through twisted-pair, after the compilation of wireless APs, the electrical signals into radio signals sent out to form a WiFi share of the Internet coverage. According to the different power, the network coverage degree is also different, the general wireless AP's maximum coverage distance can reach 400 meters.

The extended AP is what we often call a wireless router. Wireless routers, as the name implies is a wireless coverage of the router, it is mainly used for users to the Internet and wireless coverage. Through the routing function, we can realize the sharing of Internet connection in home WiFi sharing, and also realize the wireless sharing access of ADSL and community broadband. It is worth mentioning that wireless routers and wired terminals can be distributed to a subnet, so that the various devices within the subnet can easily exchange data.

NETGEAR WNR2000 Wireless Router

For the extended AP, they can be interconnected within a short distance, and if the distance needed to be transmitted is far away, then a wireless network bridge and special antennas will be needed to help.

From the appearance, the two are basically similar, it is difficult to distinguish. But believe that careful users have seen the difference between the two, that is, their interface is different. A simple wireless AP usually has a RJ45 network port that is connected to a wire, a power interface, configuration port (USB port or through the Web interface configuration), and fewer lights, and no line by the more than four wired network port, in addition to a WAN for upper network equipment, four LAN ports can be wired to connect the computer in the intranet , and the lights are more natural.

WDS Features

WDS, namely wireless hotspot distribution system, it is wireless AP and no line by a special function, simply is the AP's relay Ga Qiao connection function, it can achieve two wireless device communication, can also play a role in amplifying the signal, and the product SSID can also be different. This is a very useful function, for example, there are three of neighbors, each has a support for WDS without a line or AP, so that wireless signal can be covered at the same time, making mutual communication more convenient. Note, however, that each brand's line-free is limited by the supported WDS devices (typically 4-8 devices can be supported), and the different brands of WDS feature may not necessarily link successfully.

Application of wireless router

Wireless router is actually wireless ap+ routing function, now many wireless routers have AP function. If your home is ADSL or community broadband, you should choose No line by instead of wireless AP to share the network, if your home has a router, buy a wireless AP on the line, for the general home users I strongly recommend the choice of wireless router.

In Soho office environment, a line-free from the need to meet. With integrated broadband access routers and wireless AP features, it makes it easy to connect WiFi-sharing connections. Wireless routers generally include network address translation (NAT) protocol, which supports network connection Sharing, which is very useful for Soho office.

The wireless router has a basic firewall or packet filter to prevent port scanning software and other attacks against the broadband connection. In addition, the wireless router's four wired ports are also useful for connecting several wired PCs, which can be helpful for managing routers or sharing printers.

Features that wireless APs have

An important function of the AP is the relay, the so-called relay is in two wireless points between the wireless signal amplification once, so that the remote client can receive a stronger wireless signal. For example, I place an AP at point A and there is a client at point C, there is a distance of 120 meters, from point A to point C signal has been weakened a lot, so I midway 60 meters at point B put an AP as a relay, so that the C point of the client's signal can be effectively enhanced to ensure the transmission speed and stability.

Another important feature of the AP is bridging, which is linked to two endpoints, to achieve the data transmission between the two wireless APs, want to connect two wired LAN, generally choose to bridge through the AP, for example, I have a point in a 15 PC wired LAN, b Point has a 25 computer wired LAN , but AB two is far from the distance, over 100 meters, through the wired connection is not possible, then how to connect two LAN together? This needs to be at point A and point B each set an AP, open AP Bridge function, so that AB two-point LAN can transmit data to each other. To be reminded, there is no WDS feature of AP, the two points after bridging is not wireless signal coverage.

The last feature is "master-slave Mode", in which the AP will be viewed as a wireless client, such as a wireless network card or a wireless module, by the primary AP or no line. This can facilitate the unified management of network networks, to achieve a point-to-point connection, AP client is more points, no line by or the main AP is a little. This function is often used in wireless LAN and wired LAN connection, for example, a point is a 20 computer wired LAN, b point is a wireless LAN composed of 15 computers, B Point has been a no line by, if a want to access B, at a point plus an AP, and open master-slave mode, and access the AP to a point of the switch, so that all a point of the computer can connect to point B.

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