Tom's Hardware > Forum > Wireless Networking > Wireless General Discussions > Difference between Access point and Router?
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Felixmagician   11-29-2008 at 11:41:46 PM

Im browsing a computer store online.
They have four categories under WLAN: Adapters, Access points, Routers and Routers with modem.

What is the difference between an access point and a router?

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fihart   11-30-2008 at 12:41:11 AM
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Router+Wireless Access point = wireless router.

Very broadly speaking, routers come in two flavours = ADSL (with modem) and Cable (without modem). You can add a wireless access point to these or buy them with wireless access inbuilt.

Confusions arise because they are all referred to as routers whereas they should be called (for example) Wireless ADSL Router etc.

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SizroSpunkmire   12-02-2008 at 04:20:19 PM
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A Router is a device that routes packets across networks. Thats all it does. If data from one computer is trying to get to another computer that is not on the same logical network it must be 'routed' to that network. Your home network is different then your ISP's network thus a router is always the last device that sits between you and your ISP.

An Access Point is a device that allows other devices to connect wirelessly. Its nothing more then an antenna. Access points can be purchased on their own and plugged into a wired switch or router to grant users wireless connectivity to that device.

You'll find both routers and access points on their own in any typical Enterprise network. On the everyday consumer level however they are built into one device and marketed as a 'wireless router'. In reality you're buying a device that has 5 primary components built into it:

Router / Switch / Access Point / DNS Server / DHCP Server


Message edited by SizroSpunkmire on 12-02-2008 at 04:39:25 PM
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