[dba-Tech] Wireless Terminology Question

DJK(John) Robinson djkr at msn.com
Thu Aug 7 10:44:39 CDT 2008


Nicely put, Gary.  Or rather, well found.

The expectation these days is generally that an Access Point is the wireless
equivalent to a wired hub or switch, used on internal networks, whereas a
router is expected to deal with the outside world as well - hence usually
having a firewall and doing NAT (Network Address Translation).  If you've
got a wired router, there's no reason not to connect a wireless access point
to it.

Some similar thoughts, also mentioning price as a factor in choosing a
router even when you don't need one:
http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20051024_wireless_router_or_wireless_a
ccess_point.html
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/11233
http://www.speedguide.net/faq_in_q.php?category=91&qid=92
http://www.webpronews.com/expertarticles/2006/08/29/wireless-router-as-an-ac
cess-point
http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101236.asp

HTH, Tina
John


-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Gary Kjos
Sent: 07 August 2008 16:27
To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Wireless Terminology Question


>From the GLOSSARY in the LEARNING CENTER on the Linksys website
http://www.linksys.com

Access Point - A device that allows wireless-equipped computers and other
devices to communicate with a wired network. Also used to expand the range
of a wireless network.

Router - A networking device that connects multiple networks together, such
as a local network and the Internet.

So I beleive a Wireless Router essentially is a combination of an Access
Point and a Router, providing access for wireless devices and doing the
routing of network packets between both wired and wireless devices. Most of
the Wireless Routers also provide firewall capabilities and do some other
network stuff like assigning the IP addresses and such. .

GK



On 8/7/08, Tina Norris Fields <tinanfields at torchlake.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> What is the difference between a wireless router and a wireless access 
> point?  I'm reading up on the "how to" of installing wireless 
> networks. I have one little one that I cobbled together by hit and 
> miss tactics, but now I would like to know what I am really supposed 
> to be doing.  The page at 
> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesssetup.mspx says to be 
> sure to get a wireless router not a wireless access point.  I know I 
> have a router - it says so right on the box.  But I don't know the 
> difference between the two things.  Thanks for any wisdom you care to 
> share.
>
> Tina
> _______________________________________________
> dba-Tech mailing list
> dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com 
> http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech
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>


-- 
Gary Kjos
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