WHAT IS AN AP (ACCESS POINT) AND WHAT USES AND MODES DOES IT HAVE?

July 27, 2020

The AP or WAP (Access point or Wireless Access point) also known as access points. They are devices for establishing a wireless connection between computers and can form an external wireless network (local or Internet) with which to interconnect mobile devices or wireless network cards. This wireless network is called a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and is used to reduce wired connections.

What are the uses of access points?

To create a wireless LAN access to a workplace.
To give clients access to a wireless network.
To take an Internet connection to where it was not before, without losing bandwidth with repeaters.
Cover large areas with a quality connection, reducing the use of wiring.
Allow interconnections between conventional and wireless devices if the AP is connected to a switch.
What are the advantages of an access point?
Allows the connection of wireless devices to the WLAN such as mobile phones or laptops.
They are based on radio wave emissions, capable of penetrating walls, so they are perfect for connecting nearby buildings within the same network. With powerful antennas it is possible to create a WLAN network up to a kilometer away.
They have a range of 30 metres to 100 metres.
They provide network status information and relieve network congestion by splitting up the networks and sending the information in parallel more quickly than in a conventional way.
If you have PoE connections, it is possible with a single RJ-45 Ethernet cable to provide Internet access without the need to connect to a conventional socket.
It allows more users connected, at the same time.
Where to put your access point?
To choose a location for these access points, you should consider being as close as possible to the device so that you get the best possible signal. However, you must also take into account that walls, water pipes, bodies of water, metal plates and similar frequency emitters such as microwaves interfere with the connection of these devices. Therefore, it is important to take them into account when placing them.

What is the difference between an AP and a router?

Access points and routers require a modem to transform the signal (to modulate and demodulate the signal). The router is in charge of bringing connection to the devices, however, access points are used to bring connection where there is not. In addition, WLANs can be set up to transmit data between devices in the same WLAN network.

WLAN

What is Roaming AP?

Roaming between access points is about multiple access points in one area, which are automatically exchanged when the device that is connected finds another access point with higher signal strength.
In this way it is possible to cover a large area in which to work with wireless devices, in which this device connects to secondary networks using its primary network identifier. This makes it unnecessary to give new credentials to the new source to which it connects. In this way the connection of the device is not interrupted.

What modes does an access point have?

They can be configured for different functions to suit our needs. These are some of the functions:

Client mode
It is used as a receiver and acts as a network cable connecting to a network

AP (Access Point) mode

The Access Point serves as the core for the installation of the cabling, so that multiple users access the network through the access point.

Repeater Mode

This mode can be used to extend the signal so that the access point amplifies the signal it receives to optimize the range of action.

Bridge Mode

This mode is made to cover long distances, like two separate buildings. With two access points connected to each other, we can achieve a WLAN network over considerable distances.