Wireless Router vs Wireless Access Point

What is the functional difference between a wireless router and a
wireless access point? When/why would you choose an access point over
a router?

Hi Dick;

A wireless router is basically a router and access point all in one.
You would buy an access point if you had an existing network and wanted to
add wireless capability. You would plug the access point into an existing
router, hub or switch.
Going back as this stuff was emerging there was a price advantage to just
buying an access point. But as things progressed wireless routers sold in
greater numbers and the prices became more competitive. To the point that
now in many instances a wireless router will cost you less than an access
point.
There is very little reason any longer to buy an access point as most
wireless routers now can function as an access point.
HTH;
TomA
"Dick" <LeadWinger> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> What is the functional difference between a wireless router and a
> wireless access point? When/why would you choose an access point over
> a router?

Dick <LeadWinger> wrote in news:251g70t41gg6ejbrb8fjno2rhg6obkm923@
4ax.com:

> What is the functional difference between a wireless router and a
> wireless access point? When/why would you choose an access point over
> a router?
>

http://www.homenethelp.com/web/explain/about-NAT.asp

That's what a wire/wireless router does that WAP cannot do. I think most
wireless routers are AP's as well.

http://www.homenethelp.com/web/expla...ess802.11b.asp

If you want to go wireless and have a wired router, then you plug a WAP
into the router.

Duane

Thinking beyond your house or SOHO, but think in a larger office / corporate
office / conference center / existing network ... if you want wireless on an
existing network, in various locations, you would install access points
throughout the environment in order to extend the network.

Aside from having a different router, a different 16 port 10/100 switch and
a different access point - which all allow me to physically place each piece
of equipment wherever I want it - I also have a pair of access points set up
as a point to point bridge - so I can get two buildings connected via
wireless.


"Tom A" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%eUdc.14666$(E-Mail Removed) t...
> Hi Dick;
>
> A wireless router is basically a router and access point all in one.
> You would buy an access point if you had an existing network and wanted to
> add wireless capability. You would plug the access point into an existing
> router, hub or switch.
> Going back as this stuff was emerging there was a price advantage to just
> buying an access point. But as things progressed wireless routers sold in
> greater numbers and the prices became more competitive. To the point that
> now in many instances a wireless router will cost you less than an access
> point.
> There is very little reason any longer to buy an access point as most
> wireless routers now can function as an access point.
> HTH;
> TomA
> "Dick" <LeadWinger> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > What is the functional difference between a wireless router and a
> > wireless access point? When/why would you choose an access point over
> > a router?
>
>

Thanks Tom. I have a connection problem with a wireless "g" adapter
trying to communicate with a "b" network. I am at the point that I
want to buy either a WAP or a wireless router.

With your explanation, it sounds like I might as well get a router.
Considering the D-Link DI-624. I have tried everything I can think of
(read many articles) about getting a network connection. Nothing
works. I get the little network icon on the taskbar, and it says I
have one or more networks I can choose from. When I open it, I see
the network icon (looks like a chess pawn), but there is nothing next
to it. When I go into control panel/network, and enter the SSID and
WEP encryption key, it appears in the bottom box, but I can't get it
to take the 128 bit WEP. It keeps reverting back to the 64 bit key.
And it won't connect with the router. I have about run out of ideas.
It should be noted that the existing "b" network has been running for
several months without a problem. It's just that the new "g" adapter
won't connect to it. If you have any ideas I would love to hear them.
I'm about ready to order the "g" router and start over. The existing
"b" router is a combo cable modem and wireless router. I can turn off
the wireless, and set it to bridge the output so it is just a plain
cable modem.

Dick

On Sat, 10 Apr 2004 15:18:19 GMT, "Tom A"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Hi Dick;
>
>A wireless router is basically a router and access point all in one.
>You would buy an access point if you had an existing network and wanted to
>add wireless capability. You would plug the access point into an existing
>router, hub or switch.
>Going back as this stuff was emerging there was a price advantage to just
>buying an access point. But as things progressed wireless routers sold in
>greater numbers and the prices became more competitive. To the point that
>now in many instances a wireless router will cost you less than an access
>point.
>There is very little reason any longer to buy an access point as most
>wireless routers now can function as an access point.
>HTH;
>TomA
>"Dick" <LeadWinger> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed).. .
>> What is the functional difference between a wireless router and a
>> wireless access point? When/why would you choose an access point over
>> a router?
>