Understanding access point mode

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BcLand

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Specifically the difference between access point mode and simply disabling the dhcp and allowing a connected router to do the addressing. What are the benefits and drawbacks? I can't seem to find anything specific online. Does access point mode offer better functionality?

Thanks
 
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BcLand

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Thank you for the reply. I currently have the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900. I will be adding the AC1600 to my network. I use the AC1900 for wireless access. I am only adding the AC1600 because just replaced my cable modem and the modem only has 1 ethernet ports. I need the wired router in between the modem and AC1900 which is currently placed in the center of my home. I really only need 2 LAN ports. One to the AC1900 and one going to the other side of house to a wired desktop.

I know that the AC1900 has AP mode and when trying to find out the benefit of using that instead of turning off the DHCP and letting the wired router provide addressing, I cannot find anything to explain the difference. Every explanation I see only explains what AP mode is used for. In one forum, an old post mentioned that AP mode allows access to additional wireless functionality, but never explained.

So, my question is, is on method preferred or more functional than the other? Are they basically the same thing or does turning off the DHCP method diminish the performance of the router while AP mode does not? The wireless device list is 4 cellphones, 1 laptop, 1 ebook, 1 iPad, 2 TVS and a printer. I plan to put 1 of the TVs on the AC1600 because it will be in the same room as the modem and tha router. Will using AP mode join the 2 wireless networks or just make it appear so? And if I use AP mode will I be able to select which router to hook the different TVs to?

Thanks again for your response.
 
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BcLand

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Well, in my prowling around the forums, I saw a comment that turning off dhcp basically turned the router into a hub. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't a hub pretty basic and can only communicate in one direction at a time and prone to collisions and resend, which I assume degrade performance. Does this happen in one mode and not the other. I guess I am trying to find out if there is a specific reason to have the AP mode due to a performance enhancement or not. Or is it just a different wsy to get the same result? In the greater sense, it can increase my understanding of the different modes. If AP mode offers expanded functionality, is it something that will even apply to my current setup or will i run into a situation in the future where knowing the difference will be useful? With your router it would be helpful knowledge if you needed the extra port because it could potentially save the cost of an additional router. But that benefit is different from expanded Wi-Fi performance or capability.

Once again, i appreciate the response.
 
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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I believe the term "hub" was probably used inappropriately. The hardware will still be a full-duplex switch. Not a hub. It will still be bridged to the WIFI in either case. You could go through the the firmware displays and see the differences. There might be QOS options in router mode that might not be available in AP mode. Since I don't have one to play with, I would recommend you go through each tab with it configured in both modes and look around. It is pretty straight forward to do so. Always use a wired connection. If you mess something up horribly, you just do a factory reset and start over.
 
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