Wireless Router vs. Access Point

Hi frens,

I've read through the forums... And i've read at other websites about Access Points"....

But i still cant understand a difference between a wireless router and a access point....

1. Could some one explain in lay man simple words on how a access point is different from a wireless router...???

2. What is a use of a Access point ??

3. Can i use a access point without a wireless router..? if yes how..??

Thanks.

 

Let’s assume you have a DSL modem with router (combo device). You can connect computers to its Ethernet ports and use internet but you want wireless for your notebooks.
In such a case you don't need a router as routing capabilities are included in your DSL modem- all you need is an add-on that you can connect to your existing network. This add-on is an Access Point. It doesn't handle DHCP, port forwarding or any other important network/traffic functions.
So if you need a Wi-Fi and already own a modem/router you usually end up buying a router and then you disable DHCP and connect it via its Ethernet port to your modem effectively disabling any "routing" in a router.
That may be the reason for your confusion.
The reason why people buy routers and use them as Access Points is that it's cheap and flexible. If need be, you can always connect your router to a i.e. cable modem and then it's not only an AP but also a router as it handles all the traffic, assigns IPs and so on.

So to sum it up- for home use you need one router only (but you need one!). If you own a router (i.e. your DSL modem has one) all you need is an AP. If you don't- for example you have a cable modem with one Ethernet port only- you need a router (it can, but doesn't have to have Wi-Fi)

I don't feel like I made myself clear on this one

 

Hi downloads...

thanks for explaining... ;-)

I kind of sort of understand it now... hope so....!!

So i have a now in my house a modem and behind it is one connection only. It is connected to my desktop.

So now me & my brother want to use our laptops over wi-fi....!!

So for that i have to buy a Router & it should be a "Wireless Router Type"... Right..??

Thanks

 

Yeah you need a wireless router.
If you don't have any specific needs (802.11n, USB host etc.) I'd recommend you look at Linksys WTR54GL (but GL only- no G or GS)
Something more advanced to take a look at would be Asus WL-500g Premium.

 

thanks downloads i appreciate ur help...

any particular reason to go only for the WTR54GL...?? Why not the WRT54G2 ...??

 

The reason is hardware.
WRT54GL is Broadcom based Linux device with 16MB RAM and 4MB flash and two antennas.
WRT54G2 in current version (1.5) is Atheros based and has only one antenna and only 2MB flash (that would have mattered it it's been supported by 3rd party firmware but it currently isn't)
Previous version of WRT54G2 (1.3) had only 8MB RAM and is also unsupported by DD-WRT as it is VxWorks based.

So WRT54GL has the best hardware-software combination available.

 

hey man.. thanks for the detailed explanation...

i wonder how you have such detailed info about the parts, ram etc... it amazes me... cheers to that....!!

Here's my situation....

I live in a 3 Bedroom Flat.

1. I & my brother both have a new laptops with N.

2. My Father has a old laptop with A/B/G.

3. I have a iphone 3g with G & my brother has a Nokia E63 with G.

I want to buy a Router with Dual band and separate the G to 2.5 ghz and the N to 5 ghz.

Is that a good idea...???

Which is the best router which can do this for me..??

Thanks.

 

Linksys WRT610N would be fine but it is a little pricey...

 

I read a lot of reviews online for different Dual Band N Routers but it has only left me with a headache and confusion...!!!

so are you are saying that the "Linksys WRT610N" is the ultimate product out there for my needs...??

I shouldn't be considering any similar products from D-Link, Belkin, Netgear, Buffalo, Asus etc...?!?

If you give me the final Go-Ahead then i can place my order...

Thanks

 

If I was to buy a simultaneous dual band router I'd go for Linksys WRT610N v2.
That's all I can say.
Mind you most reviews were performed on WRT610N v1 and since then few things have changed (like the CPU has been upgraded )
Anyway WRT610N offers:
Broadcom BCM4718 533MHz or BCM4716 480MHz CPU, 64MB RAM, 8MB flash, dual radio, USB host, gigabit switch and DD-WRT support.
There's hardly anything missing in this one, but cheap it ain’t.

EDIT: Well there is always a great Netgear WNDR3700 to consider. Both are very good and it's mostly personal preference at this level. For me Linksys wins with third party firmware support.

 

cheers brother... thanks for ya help.... a few more queries...

1. How do i make sure the 610N i'm buying is v2 ? Any signs/label on the box/packaging ?

2. Once i set my router to G on 2.5ghz and N on 5ghz, How do i make my Laptop use it's N on 5ghz ?

3. Also once i make my laptop use it's N on 5ghz then once i go somewhere.. say maybe a hotel... and the hotel has only G running on 2.5ghz then will my laptop automatically go to G on 2.5 ghz or will i have to manually do it...?

Cheers

 

Current WRT610N revision is v2 and it's been available for some time so it shouldn't be an issue- it should be fairly recent.

I would create a separate SSID for 5GHz and 2.4GHz.
I didn't ask this but now I think I should have- are you sure that your N devices are 5GHz capable?

 

My N devices are these...

1. Acer 5920-6914 with Intel 4965 AGN ( Intel on its website says that this card works on both 2.5ghz & 5 ghz.

2. Acer 1810T or Acer 1830T with Intel® WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/n ( Intel claims this card too works on both 2.5 ghz & 5 ghz )

I hope both these devices are 5 ghz capable....! Please correct me if i'm wrong.

1. So how do i make the N on these laptops work on 5 ghz ??

Cheers

 

If you create one SSID on 5GHz band and configure these two laptops to work with it and another SSID on 2.4GHz for "G" devices you should be fine.
You don't have to "tell" the card to connect to 5GHz or 2.4GHz- you just type in the SSID and it connects to it regardless of the frequency (that's if your card even works in 5GHz but as you said both seem to do so)