Understanding concept (can AP have P-to-MP links and accept clients)

I'm having a bit of trouble understanding some concepts.

It was my understanding that AP can act in different types of modes,
but only one mode at a time. So, if AP is to act as a bridge (point to
multi-point, for example), it would not be able to accept any wireless
clients (where "client" is a PC, with PCMCIA or PCI card, and antenna,
attached), in infrastructure mode.

Am I understanding this wrong? Is it possible to have one AP connected
to few others (or at least one other) APs (as bridge), and at the same
time accept other wireless clients?

Also, if this is possible, what type of equipment is needed (some
examples)? Does this concept have a name?

Thanks.

The buffalo repeater bridges do - www.buffalotech.com

"X.25" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> I'm having a bit of trouble understanding some concepts.
>
> It was my understanding that AP can act in different types of modes,
> but only one mode at a time. So, if AP is to act as a bridge (point to
> multi-point, for example), it would not be able to accept any wireless
> clients (where "client" is a PC, with PCMCIA or PCI card, and antenna,
> attached), in infrastructure mode.
>
> Am I understanding this wrong? Is it possible to have one AP connected
> to few others (or at least one other) APs (as bridge), and at the same
> time accept other wireless clients?
>
> Also, if this is possible, what type of equipment is needed (some
> examples)? Does this concept have a name?
>
> Thanks.