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Differences between a router and an access point
Both a router and an access point allow us to connect to the Internet. We simply have to take our cellphone, computer or whatever device we have and connect to that Wi-Fi network provided by these devices. Now, there are differences between the two. We will see in detail what they are and how they work.
What is a router
The router is the most common device. It is the device that we have connected directly to the network and that comes to us when we hire the Internet at home, although we can later change it for another to our liking.
What it does is route sign that arrives to offer traffic to those devices that we are going to connect. We can achieve this via cable or even wirelessly, something that is increasingly common due to the rise of mobile devices and mainly the Internet of Things.
This device receives the information it stores and subsequently send network packets from the most suitable route. It does this by storing those packets it receives and processing them.
Keep in mind that a router has important functions such as the assignment of IP addresses, the routing of data packets as we have mentioned, the ability to limit the connection of a certain device, the configuration of networks …
What is an access point
On the other hand we have the file Wi-Fi access points. It should be noted that they are different from a router, although in the end they also allow us to connect devices wirelessly and have a connection to the network.
It can be said that an access point is a device that create a wireless local network to which we connect. They are usually present in shopping malls, large offices and surfaces that must offer different places for users to connect.
The access point was previously connected to the router, via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi. In this way it manages to obtain a network to subsequently allow other devices to connect.
The goal therefore is project that signal reception. That is, let’s say we are in a large office where there is a router in a room. This device can only connect equipment within its area. However, there may be an installation that uses LAN cables to connect several access points in other rooms of that large office. So users can connect wirelessly without any problems from other places.
The main difference is that this access point does not connect directly to the network, but rather to the router to subsequently distribute the connection to other devices that can connect, either wirelessly or via cable.
Why it is interesting to use access points
As we have seen, they are very useful for getting wireless connection in certain places. We already know that having a good Wi-Fi network has become vital today. We have more and more devices with a wireless connection available and we need them to work well.
Expand the network
One of the main benefits of using an access point is that we can expand the wireless network available. We will be able to connect with other devices and from more places than if we simply had a router.
Therefore one of these main uses is to extend the availability of the wireless network. We must also keep in mind that we can install several access points.
Create a captive portal
An access point also allows you to create a file Captive portal. It is used to log into that network, have a record of who can or cannot join, the number of users at that time, etc. We can protect it by means of a password, of course, and so we get that only authorized users connect.
Allow connection of equipment by cable
In addition to the above, an access point not only allows you to connect computers via Wi-Fi, but will also allow us to connect other devices via LAN cable. This is useful, for example, if we are installing a machine in a company that needs a network connection.
Decongest the network
It also allows decongest a network. At the end of the day we will be able to connect the equipment to every access point we have, instead of all connected to it. This avoids problems in areas with a lot of crowds.
In short, as we see a router is different from an access point. We have also shown some interesting uses we can give to the latter.
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