[dba-Tech] Wireless Terminology Question

Most such SOHO (Small office/Home Office) wireless devices today  (from Linksys, DLink 
etc) are combined Access Points/Bridges, Hubs/Switches and Routers. Which one to call it 
depends on how you are using it. 

It looks as though your "Router 1" is the actual Router in your setup.

What you call "Router 2" is not a Router, it is purely a Wireless Access Point, even if it is 
physically identical to "Router 1".

"Router 1", in addition to being a Router is also a Wireless Access Point.  

If "Router 1" and "Router 2" are not linked by cable, they are also acting  as a Bridge. This 
provide the connection for:
1.  any computer connected to "Router 2" which accesses anything connected to "Router 1" 
or which accesses the Internet and 
2. any computer connected to "Router 1" which access any computer connected to "Router 
2".   (However, if these two devices are connected together by a network cable, they are not 
Bridges <g>)

In effect, you have two Wireless Access Points, one of which is also a Router and both of 
which may or may not also be Bridges.

Clear as mud?

Cheers,
S

On 7 Aug 2008 at 15:53, Tina Norris Fields wrote:

> Thanks to Gary, John, and Kathryn for the responses.  I think I get it.  
> In my setup, there is a router connected to the incoming wireless radio 
> - call that router 1.  Router 1 sends a signal to the router I have in 
> my office - call that router 2.  A wireless laptop computer can be 
> connected to my Internet access from anywhere in the house by 
> communicating with whichever router (1 or 2) is the nearer.  So router 2 
> acts also as an access point for the wireless computers in my office.  Yes?
> 
> Tina
> 
> 
> Kathryn Bassett wrote:
> > Example: My 3days/week client has a large home. The router is in the
> > genealogy room so "my" computer is able to be wired to the router. There is
> > a wireless access point (AP) in the living room, in the guest room, and
> > another in the pool room. The AP can "see" the router, and in that manner is
> > "connected" just like my wired on. Hopefully that example will turn on the
> > light bulb of understanding.
> >
> > --
> > Kathryn Rhinehart Bassett (Pasadena CA)
> > "Genealogy is my bag" "GH is my soap"
> > kathryn at bassett.net
> > http://bassett.net    
> >
> >   
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com 
> >> [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of 
> >> Tina Norris Fields
> >> Sent: 07 Aug 2008 3:51 AM
> >> To: DBA Tech List
> >> Subject: [dba-Tech] Wireless Terminology Question
> >>
> >> 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
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >>     
> >
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> >   
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-- 
Stuart Mclachlan