whats the difference between wireless access point and wireless range extender?
Does it matter whether I am one or the other? I think the main difference is with Access Point, you have the option of wired devices to add? And my question relates to common broadband Internet and basic networking home
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an access point will be connected directly to ur internet and broadcast it … generally ive found that most WAPs’ have a very long range anyway .. but if u needed more you would use an extender … and no, at least with most WAPS’ , they have no ethernet connectors … they simply have the one that plugs to ur modem and a couple of antennas … i use a WAP at home and it covers a square of about 4acres no problem ..i retired the wireless router because it seemed to only want to go about 50′ …
A wireless access point is where the device you are connecting to the internet with (ex. psp, laptop, palm pilot) connects to, to get on the internet. A wireless range extender expands how far the signal of the wireless access point/router will go. So it would expand the range of your network. There is a HUGE difference between them.
Ok, yes it does matter. The access point will allow your machine to spread out your broadband connection around, but the extender, what it does, is that it captures a low signal and rehabilitates it to a full potention so that it can go even longer. So yeah, there is a difference. One spreads it around, the other helps strenghten the signal and keeps sending it out for a longer range!
A wireless access poiont acts as an gateway between a wired network and WiFi devices; however, it does not act as NAT firewall nor does it manage a private network LAN like a WiFi enabled router.
A wireless range extender does not connect to your wired network. It only receives and the retransmits the WiFi signal. You can place the range extender anywhere in your location as long as it is in range of the router or AP and there is power available. For a range extender to work, you must already have a WiFi router or access point on your network.
I would not suggest connecting either a Wireless Access Point (WAP) nor a range extender directly to your broadband modem, since neither provides a firewall nor provides the resources for a private LAN. I would suggest buying a Wireless Router or, if you already have a wire-only router, then buying a WAP and connecting that to your existing wire-only router.
the access point is where you connect on to the network. a range extender is used to incresse the area that you can use it.so get an access point. i have got both and can reach the internet from 1/10 mile away.
Hope this helps!!