A wireless AP is an access point for a wireless network, commonly known as a "hotspot". There are mainly routing, switching and access integrated devices and pure access point devices. The integrated device performs access and routing work. The pure access device is only responsible for the access of wireless clients. The pure access device is usually used as a wireless network extension and is used with other APs. Or connect to the main AP to expand wireless coverage, and all-in-one devices are generally the core of the wireless network.

A wireless router is a router that is used for users to access the Internet and has wireless coverage function. A wireless router can be regarded as a repeater, forwarding the broadband network signal connected to the wall in your home to nearby wireless network devices (laptops, WiFi-enabled mobile phones, etc.) through antennas.

The difference between wireless AP and wireless router

Different applications:

Wireless AP is mostly used in large companies, and large companies require a large number of wireless access nodes to implement Large-area network coverage, while all access terminals belong to the same network, also facilitates company network administrators to simply implement network control and management.

Wireless routers are generally used in home and SOHO environment networks. In this case, the coverage area and users are generally small, and only one wireless AP is enough. A wireless router can access the ADSL network and convert it into a wireless signal at the same time. Compared with buying a router and a wireless AP, a wireless router is a more affordable and convenient choice.

Different connection methods:

Wireless AP cannot be connected to ADSLMODE. A switch, hub or router must be used as an intermediary. The wireless router has a broadband dial-up function and can be directly connected to the ADSL MODEM to dial-up the Internet to achieve wireless coverage.

Different functions:

Wireless AP: The full name of AP is AccessPoint, and its function is to convert a wired network into a wireless network. From a figurative point of view, wireless AP is the communication bridge between wireless network and wired network. Its signal range is spherical. It is best to place it in a relatively high place when building it to increase the coverage. The wireless AP is also a wireless switch. It is connected to a wired switch or router. The connected wireless terminal is connected to the original network. belong to the same subnet.

Wireless router: It is a wireless AP with routing function. It is connected to the ADSL broadband line. It realizes automatic dial-up access to the network through the router function and establishes an independent wireless home network through the wireless function. .

Related brief description

The full name is Wireless Fidelity. 802.11b is sometimes mistakenly labeled as Wi-Fi. In fact, Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wireless LAN Alliance (WLANA). This trademark only ensures that products using this trademark can cooperate with each other and has nothing to do with the standard itself. . But later people gradually became accustomed to using WIFI to call the 802.11b protocol. Its biggest advantage is its high transmission speed, which can reach 11Mbps. In addition, its effective distance is also very long, and it is also compatible with various existing 802.11 DSSS devices. Laptop technology - Centrino technology is based on this standard.

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity, wireless fidelity technology), like Bluetooth technology, is a short-range wireless technology used in offices and homes. This technology uses a frequency band near 2.4GHz, which was an unlicensed wireless frequency band in 2012. There are two standards available in 2012, namely IEEE802.11G and IEEE802.11b. This technology is favored by manufacturers because of its own advantages.

802.11b

IEEE ([American] Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11b wireless network specification is a variant of the IEEE 802.11 network specification. The maximum bandwidth is 11 Mbps. When the signal is weak, Or in the case of interference, the bandwidth can be adjusted to 5.5Mbps, 2Mbps and 1Mbps. The automatic adjustment of the bandwidth effectively ensures the stability and reliability of the network. Its main features are: fast speed and high reliability. In open areas, the communication distance can reach 305 meters. In closed areas, the communication distance is 76 meters to 122 meters. It is convenient for integration and networking with existing wired Ethernet networks. The cost is lower.

802.11a

802.11a uses the 5.8GHz operating frequency band, uses OFDM modulation technology, and has a transmission rate of 54Mbps.

802.11g

802.11g uses the 2.4GHz operating spectrum. When the transmission rate is below 20Mbps, it uses the same DSSS technology and CCK technology as 802.11b in the physical layer. When the transmission rate exceeds At 20Mbps, the same OFDM technology as 802.11a is used at the physical layer.

802.11n

802.11n combines MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) and OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) technology and applies MIMO OFDM technology to improve wireless transmission. The quality has also greatly improved the transmission rate, from 54Mbps provided by 802.11a and 802.11g in 2012 to 300Mbps or even as high as 600Mbps. In terms of coverage, 802.11n uses smart antenna technology. Through an antenna array composed of multiple independent antennas, the beam can be dynamically adjusted to achieve a larger coverage area. In terms of compatibility, 802.11n uses a software radio technology, which is a fully programmable hardware platform that enables base stations and terminals of different systems to achieve interoperability and compatibility through different software on this platform. Therefore, 802.11n It can be forward and backward compatible, and can realize the combination of WLAN and wireless wide area network, such as 3G.