The document explains the differences between a wireless access point (AP) and a wireless router, noting that an AP adds Wi-Fi capabilities to a wired network, while a router combines AP functionality with routing capabilities. It also discusses the scenarios in which each device is typically used, with routers being suitable for small businesses and homes, and APs for larger venues. Additionally, it outlines key considerations for choosing wireless devices, including range, speed, price, features, capacity, and security.

1. Access Point or Wireless Router? General Questions Tell You
For some network users it’s hard to distinguish the different functions of a
access point and a wireless router.
Users always ask the common questions about the difference between a
wireless access points and a wireless router; choosing an access point or a
wireless router; need both access point and wireless router?
Of course, there are significant differences between a wireless access point
and wireless router.
A wireless access point, or AP, adds Wi-Fi capability to a wired network by
bridging traffic from workstations onto an Ethernet LAN.
A wireless router combines broadband router capabilities--such as acting as
the gateway between the internet and a local area network--as well as
wireless AP features, inside a single device.
In simple terms, a wireless router can be a wireless AP, but a wireless
AP can't be a wireless router.
What is a wireless access point? A wireless AP connects a group of wireless
stations to an adjacent wired LAN. Conceptually, an AP is like an Ethernet hub,
but instead of relaying LAN frames only to other 802.3 stations, an AP relays
802.11 frames to all other 802.11 or 802.3 stations in the same subnet.
What is a wireless router? A wireless router connects a group of wireless
stations to an adjacent wired network. Conceptually, a wireless router is a
wireless AP combined with an Ethernet router. A wireless router forwards IP
packets between your wireless subnet and any other subnet.

2. Should you use a wireless access point or a wireless router? Typically,
wireless routers are used in residential and small businesses, where all users
can be supported by one combined AP and router.
Wireless APs are used in larger businesses and venues, where many APs are
required to provide service -- for example, to cover a bigger area or to
support thousands of users.
In larger WLANs, it usually makes sense to have several APs feeding into a
single, separate router. Wireless stations can then be treated as one large
subnet, which is helpful when roaming from one AP to another. Wireless
access controls can also be concentrated at one router instead of spread
across several independent routers.
Wireless routers also have basic firewall functionality, using network address
translation to share one internet address across several wireless stations.
Most wireless routers also include a four-port Ethernet switch, so you can
connect a few wired PCs to your LAN and let them share internet access, too.
In other words, most wireless routers combine the functionality of a wireless
AP, an Ethernet router, a basic firewall and a small Ethernet switch.
Reference from
http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/answer/Is-there-a-difference-
between-a-wireless-access-point-and-a-wireless-router
AP has evolved over the years to mean something different than they did in
the early years of WiFi.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Best Wireless Access Point
There is a broad range of wifi access points and if you’re planning to
purchase this device, there are several critical factors you need to consider.
Some of the most critical considerations include:
 Range: WAPs with range enhancements are advantageous as they
reduce the number and general costs of access points. In general,
adequate range lowers overall expenses to the client since fewer
access points are required. Majority of enterprise wireless LAN access
points are able to give a coverage for an area between five thousand
to ten thousand square feet.The range of a typical residential Wi-Fi
network is dependent upon antenna sensitivity, WAP or the router as
well as the precise 802.11 protocol being used.
 Speed: This refers to the rate at which information is processed,
usually measured in bps (bits per second), kilobits, and megabits.
 Price: The price of best wireless access point hardware depends on
several factors. A gadget with a higher price could have more

3. enhancements over the cheap models and may offer the most features.
They may also include critical support and installation tools that are
invaluable during installation and support of the wireless LAN. It could
be worth the extra bucks if the slightly expensive wireless access
points save you valuable time during installation and support of the
wireless LAN.
 Available features: There is a broad variety of features and the
strength of these features is not always equal. Ensure that you conduct
a thorough and careful research before you purchase a best wireless
access point so that you choose the one that meets your minimum
requirements.
 WAP Capacity: Capacity is always a critical consideration when
choosing the best wireless access point. While almost all manufacturers
will advertise throughput, very few if any will reveal the exact number
of users their gadgets are capable of hosting.
What You Need to Know Before Buying a Router for Multiple Devices
 Maximum Speed: These days there is a huge variety to choose from
in terms of speed, people must keep in mind that the internet speed
depends on the internet connection and the speed mentioned here is
the total speed of the network. Some of the most popular variants are
the 300 Mbps, 600 Mbps, 900 Mbps and so on, if the internet plan
allows the bandwidth these devices can support even the most fastest
broadband connections.
 Single band or Dual bands: This depend on the users requirements,
signal band routers are ideal for people lively in small house with not
many devices. Since the signal has a significantly range these are not
suitable for people with heavy usage and multiple devices, hand the
dual band routers on the other band produce a better signal and wider
coverage. If you need to use the network over a large area these
might be the better choice for you.
 Wireless Standards : These may seem a little complicated to the
regular users but its best to get the latest standard router if you have
some newer device which require the AC standard to perform to their
maximum potential. Typically the AC standard routers also provide
backward compatibilities to all the other wireless standards like a,b,g
and n.
 The Security: As of now the best security available for wireless router
is the WPA2 which is also known as Wireless Protected Access II, most
of the newer routers will have this included but it is always wise to
check as security is very important to protect the people’s sensitive

4. data. Further, the users can ensure solid security with a password with
letters, number and special characters too.
More Topics about Wireless you can read here: http://blog.router-
switch.com/category/technology/wireless/
What’s Inside the Cisco Wireless Solution?