What is the difference between a wireless router and a Wireless AP?

With a cup of fragrant coffee, you can freely talk to netizens in any corner of your home. This is the charm of wireless! With the rapid development of Wireless networks, Wireless LAN Wireless Local-Area Network (WLAN) has become the first choice for many SOHO networks.
Although wireless networks are becoming increasingly popular today, many netizens are still confused about wireless network products.

Today, we distinguish between a wireless router and a Wireless AP in terms of functions, applications, networking, and costs.

The current Wireless AP can be divided into two types: Hybrid AP and extended AP.

The routing function is relatively simple for balanced AP, but it can only be equivalent to a wireless hub. For such Wireless AP, no products can be connected. The extended AP is also a wireless router on the market. Because of its comprehensive functions, most extended APS not only have Routing Switching functions, but also DHCP and network firewalls.

Most wireless APS on the market now belong to extended APs. For extended APs, they can be interconnected within a short distance. If you need to transmit far distances, then we need Wireless Bridges, dedicated antennas, and other devices! In fact, wireless bridges are also a type of Wireless AP.

First, differentiate Functions

Wireless AP: AP is short for Access Point, which is generally translated as "Wireless Access Node". It mainly provides wireless workstation Access to wired LAN and wireless workstation Access from wired LAN, A wireless workstation within the access point can communicate with each other. In general, Wireless AP is a bridge between wireless networks and wired networks. Because the coverage of a Wireless AP is a circular area that spreads outward, the Wireless AP should be placed in the center of the wireless network as much as possible, in addition, the linear distance between each wireless client and the Wireless AP should not exceed 30 meters to avoid communication failure due to excessive signal attenuation.

Wireless Router: a wireless router is a combination of a balanced AP and a Broadband Router. With the help of the router function, it can achieve Internet Connection Sharing in the home wireless network, to achieve wireless shared access between ADSL and residential broadband. In addition, the wireless router can allocate the terminals that use it for wireless and wired connection to a subnet, in this way, it is very convenient for various devices in the network to exchange data.

You can say this:

A wireless router is a collection of AP, routing functions, and switches. It supports wired and wireless networks to form the same subnet and connect directly to the MODEM.

A Wireless AP is equivalent to a wireless switch that is connected to a wired switch or vro and gets an IP address from the vro for the wireless Nic connected to it.

Then distinguish from the application

Independent APs are widely used in companies that require a large number of APs for large-scale coverage. all APs are connected over Ethernet and connected to independent Wireless LAN firewalls.

A wireless router is used much in the SOHO environment. In this environment, an AP is enough. In this way, the wireless router that integrates the Broadband Access Router and AP provides a single machine solution, which is easier to manage and cheaper than the two separate machine solutions. A wireless router generally includes a network address translation (NAT) Protocol to support network connection sharing among Wireless LAN users. This is a useful feature in the SOHO environment. They may also have basic firewalls or information packet filters to prevent port scanning software and other attacks against broadband connections. Finally, most wireless routers include an Ethernet converter with four ports to connect several wired PCs. This is very convenient for managing routers or connecting a printer to a LAN.

Then analyze the network topology

The AP cannot be directly connected to the adsl modem. Therefore, you must add another switch or hub during use:

The usage of AP and wireless routing is the same when the above topology architecture is used. However, most wireless routers have the bandwidth dialing capability, so they can directly connect to the adsl modem for broadband sharing:

Finally, analyze the cost

The price of the Wireless AP of 802.11B is similar to that of the wireless router. Generally, the price of the wireless router is about 100 yuan. The price of the 802.11G depends on the specific situation, there may be a gap of several hundred yuan between the prices of different brands and additional functions, but the price difference of cheap products is also more than 100 yuan.

Conclusion:

Now you know whether you need a Wireless AP or a wireless router!