What is Wi-Fi Access Point? What is the Difference Between a Router from An Access Point?

To be honest, I’m too lazy to write another instruction today, so I decided to tell you about access points. What an access point is, what they are for, how they differ from routers, and how to make an access point from a router. You will not find any specific, step-by-step instructions in this article. Later, in a separate article I will write about how to use a Wi-Fi router in AP (Access Point) mode.

I think we should first find out what a router is (aka router). It is a network device that allows you to organize connection of many devices to the Internet. A router gives IP addresses to devices, distributes the internet between connected devices, connects them to a local network, connects to an internet provider, and manages all of this. I wrote more on this topic in the article: what is a router.

Wireless access point: what is it, and what is it for?

First of all, an access point is a separate device. Router and access point, it is not the same. Yes, in many ways they are similar. You could say that an access point is a stripped-down, simpler version of a router. The thing is that a wireless access point is designed to connect devices to an already created network. Its task is simply to organize a connection to the Internet via wi-fi. Also, it can work in different modes: wireless client, bridge, repeater, access point. It all depends on the specific model.

You can see a small review of TP-LINK EAP120 access point.

An access point doesn’t give out IP, doesn’t connect to an ISP, doesn’t have a built-in firewall, etc. It simply gets internet from a router, or modem, and distributes it over wi-fi. Some wireless access points, which are on sale, can give out IP, organize a separate network, and even connect to the Internet provider. But, only by Static IP protocol, or DHCP. Most likely, without a router, or modem all the same can not do without. And one more important point, the access point has only one network connector. So, by cable it does not give out the Internet.

For example, if you need to distribute Internet over Wi-Fi from ADSL modem, or expand the existing Wi-Fi network, then in this case, the access point is perfect. That’s what they are designed for. As I wrote above, many models can work in client mode, or in repeater mode. Many modern routers are also able to work in all these modes.

In access point mode, we connect it to a router or modem via a network cable, and get access to the Internet via Wi-Fi network. If you want to connect a wireless access point “over the air”, you can set up a bridge mode (WDS), or in repeater mode. It is necessary to look at what is best suited to your case.

Router and access point

The router itself also acts as an access point, it allows you to connect to a Wi-Fi network. In addition, almost every router can work in AP mode. In some manufacturers, such as ASUS, ZyXEL, this mode is simply enabled in the router settings. Later, I will write a detailed instruction on how to configure this mode on routers from different manufacturers.

In the access point mode, the router necessarily disables IP address distribution (DHSP), firewall, and IP address translation (NAT). It simply disables a few features of the router and turns it into an Access Point.

On some routers, there is no AP mode as such. You just need to manually disable the DHSP server, and do a few other settings.

Conclusions

If you don’t know which device you need, a router or an access point, it’s better to ask knowledgeable people, or buy a regular router. Only buy an access point when you know for sure it’s right for you.

Almost any router can work in Access Point mode. An Access Point itself cannot act as a router. It is deprived of many of the features that are in a regular router.

By the way, an ordinary laptop or computer with a Wi-Fi adapter can also be turned into a wireless access point.

That’s actually all. If you have any questions, you can leave them in the comments. All the best!