How does access point work

This is because they can only support a limited number of devices at one time, usually no more than While range extenders do increase the coverage of a Wi-Fi router, they do not increase its available bandwidth.

Depending on the number of devices you have connected simultaneously, a range extender could end up weighing down your connection. Access points, on the other hand, can handle over 60 simultaneous connections each. By installing access points throughout the office, users can roam freely from room to room without experiencing network interruptions.

When you have both employees and guests connecting with desktops, laptops, mobile phones, and tablets, 20 devices on a wireless network adds up quickly. At 60 simultaneous connections each, access points give you the freedom to scale the number of devices supported on your network.

Looking for a wireless risk assessment? Contact Rivial Security for an instant quote. These devices are ideal for situations where you need internet connectivity, but are unable to connect to a physical ethernet cable. Adding wireless access points to your network can increase your ability to connect more of your devices without issue including your smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, tablets, etc Many routers come with wireless capability built in, but if your router is not WiFi compatible, a wireless access point may be your answer.

You might also want to consider installing more than one wireless access point if you have a large property to connect — not only will it make you WiFi enabled, but numerous wireless access points can also eliminate weak or spotty WiFi signals. Before you jump into the purchase of a wireless access point however, you should do some research into your existing setup.

For example, check things like your broadband speed to make sure it is compatible with your needs. The truth is you can add as many wireless access points to your network as you like, but you may think you need more than you do. The more devices you install, the more competition there will be for the same amount of space on your network. You may want to opt for installing wireless access points that are 5Ghz compatible rather than several in the 2.

This simple step up in frequency can provide more access space with fewer devices on the network. They work by connecting directly into your router, or a network switch if you have one, via an ethernet cable. This provides the WAP with a connection to the local area network and the bandwidth it needs to function.

From there, the WAP will receive and distribute a wireless signal in either the 2. This then allows you to connect to your home network wirelessly, giving you internet access where it may not have been possible previously. This allows the WAP to receive both power and data across a single ethernet cable. This method of providing power to the wireless access point makes them incredibly versatile in regards to the area of your home where they can be placed.

They can be placed literally anywhere providing you can run that single ethernet cable from your router or switch to the WAP. In my home network, I have a wireless access point positioned in my loft. It is placed in such a way that the WAP along with the wireless network originating from the router itself, provide a stable Wi-Fi signal throughout the entire house.

You may now be asking: What is the difference between a wireless access point and a range extender? A range extender simply lengthens the reach of an existing Wi-Fi signal.

Unlike a wireless access point, range extenders connect to your router wirelessly, so you are limited by the existing range of the Wi-Fi signal. Therefore, a range extender must be placed in an area of your home where the Wi-Fi signal is already strong.

The benefit of using a wireless access point over a range extender is that they can be placed in any area of your home. You are not limited by the range of the existing Wi-Fi signal, given that they use ethernet as the connection method, and they can even be placed in dead spots.

The only limiting factor with using a wireless access point over a range extender is that you must be able to run an ethernet cable to the desired location for the WAP to function.