What is a Wi-Fi hotspot? What is the difference between a router and an access point? What is a WiFi hotspot and wireless router? Operating modes How a wifi router works
Introduction
Connecting computers to a wired network usually requires running multiple cables through walls and ceilings. Also, wired networks impose certain restrictions on the location of devices in space. Wireless networks do not have these disadvantages: you can add computers and other wireless devices with minimal physical, time and material costs. To transmit information, wireless access points use radio waves from the frequency spectrum defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard.
Usage
Most often, wireless access points are used to provide access to mobile devices (laptops, printers, etc.) to a fixed local network.
Also, wireless access points are often used to create so-called “hot spots” - areas within which the client is usually provided with free access to the Internet. Typically, such points are located in libraries, airports, and street cafes in large cities.
IN lately There has been an increase in interest in wireless access points when creating home networks. To create such a network within one apartment, one access point is enough. Perhaps this will be enough to include neighbors of adjacent apartments in the network. To connect an apartment to the network through one, you will definitely need another access point, which will serve as a repeater for the signal that has weakened due to passing through the load-bearing wall.
Design
This device is similar in many ways to a client adapter. Like the latter, it consists of a transceiver and an integrated interface chip, but is equipped with more intelligent functions and more sophisticated electronics.
Structurally, access points can be designed both for outdoor use (an option protected from environmental influences) and for use inside business and residential premises. There are also devices intended for industrial use, taking into account the specifics of production.
As for functionality, it can vary significantly between different access points, sometimes providing tools for diagnostics and network monitoring, remote configuration and troubleshooting. In addition, recently access points have appeared that allow multi-user file sharing (broadcasting) bypassing the server.
At the end of 2009, we can talk about the growing popularity of combined devices that integrate the functions of a wireless network adapter (board, card, controller), a router and, for example, a cable modem.
Application
Access points are designed to perform a wide variety of functions, such as connecting a group of computers (each with wireless network adapter) into independent networks (Ad-hoc mode), and to perform the function of a bridge between wireless and cable sections of the network (Infrastructure mode).
For Ad-hoc mode, the maximum possible number of stations is 256. In Infrastructure mode, up to 2048 wireless nodes are allowed.
Please note that the access point is a regular hub. With multiple connections to one point, the bandwidth is divided by the number of connected users. Theoretically, there are no restrictions on the number of connections, but in practice it is worth limiting it based on the minimum required data transfer speed for each user.
Using an access point, you can easily organize roaming when the user's mobile computer moves in a coverage area greater than the coverage area of one access point, organizing “cells” of several access points and ensuring their coverage areas overlap. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that in the intended movement area mobile user all access points and mobile computers had the same settings (channel numbers, identifiers, etc.).
Application example
If you need to not only connect computers into a wireless network, but also connect this network segment to a wired one, then the easiest way is to install a so-called “access point”. When using an access point, you essentially have a dedicated network device, the operation of which does not depend on the workload of other PCs or their configuration, which is a definite plus. You don't have to go through complicated settings software or fear that the computer will be turned off once again, and the necessary service will not start.
Signal Boost
WiFi repeater
This is a WiFi amplifier that works on the principle of a signal repeater. The repeater allows you to expand your existing WiFi network. He accepts WiFi signal and passes it on.
installed indoors; expands the coverage area by 15-20 meters;
Standards
The most popular standards for access points are Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth. Bluetooth technology has a special PAN (Personal Area Network) profile for these purposes.
Links
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
The pace of the modern world requires the use of a computer and the Internet. A wireless access point, whose task is to combine various devices V shared network. A wireless access point is also convenient because it eliminates annoying wires, which are sometimes needed in large quantities.
With such a device, you can watch movies online, surf the web, or play games over the network and online from any corner of your apartment or office. You can connect not only a PC, but also smartphones, tablets, SmartTV and other devices that can take advantage of the connection to wireless access point.
It is worth noting that an access point and a router are completely different things that should not be confused. An access point is a simplified version of a router. The main purpose of a wireless access point is to connect multiple devices to the Internet through communication.
Operating modes of wireless access points
In addition to the fact that multiple models presented on the domestic market differ in price, version of supported protocols, speed and much more, they also differ in operating modes. These modes can be classified:
- Wireless client. This mode is used to exchange information between network clients.
- Repeater. The device that searches for everything available options Internet connections and offers the user a choice. This is done by repeating the signal and increasing the signal propagation area.
- Bridge. Using a bridge you can exchange information. This is one of the most popular methods for connecting devices that are located in different buildings.
- Access point. A tool for connecting various gadgets of everyday use, for example, PCs, smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc.
In practice, a wireless access point serves great solution when forming work network when there is a lot involved individual computers. A wireless access point helps save on laying a large number of wires, and the savings affect both time and material costs for installation. If you connect a new computer to the network or replace an existing one, there is no need to lay cables again, call a team of workers, or wait a long time for the work to be completed. It's enough just to have new computer and an access point.
When purchasing a wireless access point for use at home, you can pay attention to budget models. As a rule, even simple access points have a set of characteristics sufficient for home use. They allow you to watch movies and play games for multiple users at the same time. But the speed may drop, depending on how many users are simultaneously connected to the access point and how many users it can support.
For the office it is worth purchasing more demanding devices. In this case, it is necessary to acquire not only wireless point access, but also a router, as well as other devices that will help you competently organize a network of dozens of computers.
The most common models that enjoy reasonable popularity are D-link and TP-LINK. Both models are easy to use and have a user-friendly software interface that is installed on your computer. But even if problems arise with the settings, specially trained people can always quickly connect and configure any wireless access point.
Wireless access points that support the PoE function are also in demand. They are devices with a number of advantages, for example, they provide minimal costs for organizing infrastructure, because one cable is enough to provide parallel power and data transmission.
Nowadays, the Internet has become so integrated into the lives of ordinary people that the first thing that arises when moving to a new home is the question of running an Internet cable there. But if previously most people had only one computer in their apartment, now each family member has a separate personal gadget with Internet access, and they are all connected not via a cable, but via a Wi-Fi interface, so the problem of purchasing equipment arises. which can satisfy these needs. When you come to the store, you will see a huge number of different types of devices (routers, access points, repeaters), similar in functionality, and how can you buy exactly what you really need from all those presented?
Network equipment, although it performs similar tasks, differs in its functionality and capabilities
When choosing equipment for wireless communication into their home, many users do not see the difference between Acess Point and Router and often buy what they do not need. It would seem that both equipment distributes a Wi-Fi signal, but the difference between them is colossal.
What is an access point?
An access point is a regular wireless interface splitter that allows you to cover a certain area of your apartment with a radio signal. Most often, the device is used to:
- Receive Internet traffic and broadcast it to other gadgets via Wi-Fi. That is, we connect our AP to existing network equipment (to a router that does not have a wireless interface or to a computer) and it, in turn, transmits a signal via radio frequencies to your gadgets.
- Receive radio signals from your gadgets and transmit them further via cable (feedback).
- Acess Point is also used in repeater (repeater) mode to increase the coverage area of an existing Wi-Fi. That is, if you already have a Router and you need to transmit the signal further to client machines, then installing a TD will help solve this problem.
What is a router?
Routers, or routers as they are also called, are much more complex device. Among other things, they differ in that with their help you can organize new network, and the TD is already built in there. Router features:
- Distribution of Internet data packages between devices.
- Assignment and distribution of IP addresses for gadgets connected to it.
- Protection against hacker attacks from external networks (built-in firewall).
- Limit Internet speed for various devices on your network, as well as filter MAC addresses, IP addresses and other parameters to limit the penetration of other clients into your network.
From this we can conclude that a Wi-Fi router is a router with a built-in access point, and the AP itself can do nothing except distribute Wi-Fi. That is, if we need to provide ourselves with a wireless interface in our apartment, then we need to buy a router. You can limit yourself to purchasing an AP only if you already have a router without Wi-Fi function.
- Wireless network supporting IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards
- Operation in harsh climatic conditions, protection class IP65
- Operating modes: AP, Client Bridge, WDS
- Supports Airmax technology for collision avoidance
- Reliable protection of network information with WEP, WPA and WPA-2 encryption
- Output power up to 600 mW
- Antenna coverage sector in the horizontal plane 55°
- Built-in dual polarization antenna with 10.4~11.2 dBi gain
- Intelligent prioritization of streaming traffic
- Power over Ethernet cable
Access point NanoStation M2K is a Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz transmitter with a power of 600 mW with an integrated sector MIMO 2x2 antenna with a gain of 11dBi: very impressive, especially considering its more than modest size and weight of only 400 g. This access point is made in a waterproof, frost-resistant case and designed for operation in a wide temperature range from -30 to +70°C. NanoStation M2K The 802.11b/g/n standard is designed to maintain maximum coverage at the highest data rates. It optimally combines low weight, high quality work, power supply via PoE. NanoStation M2K is a simple and convenient device that allows you to organize a wireless network anywhere with minimal investment.
NanoStation M2K features
NanoStation M2K supports technology Airmax, the use of which allows you to prevent collisions when wireless transmission data. The intelligent scheduler will make it possible to assign high priority to video and voice traffic, as well as assign priorities to individual clients.
Access Point mode
Since the integrated antenna has a horizontal sector of 55°, it will be very appropriate to use NanoStation M2K as an access point. This will make it possible to connect wireless clients to it at a distance of up to 6 km. Flexibility in configuration and impressive power of the device will help you build an entire network As a Station using the same NanoStation M2K. Such an infrastructure will be applicable for organizing wireless access in populated areas or will allow remote branches to be connected to the central office.
Wireless client mode
If the task is to connect to an access point remote at a distance of several kilometers, you can implement it using NanoStation M2K. The compactness of the device and the ability to operate uninterruptedly under different climatic conditions provide a wide range of possibilities for its installation on the client side.
Point-to-Point mode (bridge)
NanoStation M2K indispensable when organizing Wi-Fi bridges. What could be easier than using two such devices to connect to the Internet in a country house a short distance from the city? This mode will also be very useful for a video surveillance system when streams from several cameras need to be transmitted over a wireless network. In addition, the stability and outdoor performance of the device will be decisive factors when building backbone wireless channels. This access point will allow making bridges over a distance of about 10 km.
Management and Application
In Russia NanoStation M2K has found widespread use as a means of organizing Wi-Fi networks in rural regions, but it is perfect for connecting any remote office, production building, logistics complex or warehouse to the corporate network. All access point interfaces (2 RJ-45 network connectors) are located under a protective cover. This protects them from damage and adverse climatic conditions. NanoStation M2K- this is one of the most popular and time-tested solutions today.
It is quite difficult to understand the current variety of access points. Each manufacturer considers it his duty to produce several dozen Wi-Fi devices and at the same time does not particularly bother to clearly explain how one device differs from another. I hope I can do this.
So, the first thing to do is decide on the type of device. As a rule, you have to choose between a wireless access point and a router. If you are already connected to the Internet using an ADSL modem, cable modem or some other box, then most likely this box acts as a router. In this case, you can limit yourself to purchasing an access point. But I wouldn't do that. It is better to buy a WiFi router with a corresponding WAN port and get rid of the old router.
Access points are mainly used to increase the coverage of your Wi-Fi networks. This is relevant for large private houses and organizations. For any ordinary apartment, in 90% of cases a WiFi router is purchased and this device solves all network-related issues. In general, a WiFi router is a WiFi access point with the function of connecting your network to an Internet provider.
Any WiFi signal amplifiers and other exotic items should not deserve your attention. Devices of this type bought out of desperation or human stupidity. However, I digress about the correct construction of a WiFi network, I’ll write separately sometime.
It is possible to connect via Ethernet (for example desktop computer, TV, NAS, etc.), and use Wi-Fi for mobile devices(mobile phones, laptops, tablets).
- Select the network standard 802.11 b/g/n (the most important thing is the presence of the letter N)
- Speed 300 Mbit/s. ( real speed will be lower, but you shouldn’t overpay for 450 Mbit/s, because There are still very few devices operating in the 5 GHz range and I very much doubt that your laptop or mobile phone is a device that can operate in the 5 GHz range)
- Number of antennas. More the better. But for an apartment two are enough. (if you want to read more about this, google about MIMO)
- Manufacturer (purely subjective opinion). For home it is better to choose among TP-Link, ASUS and DLink
- This device must support DD-WRT firmware. This is the first sign that his insides are normal. Look list of supported DD-WRT devices. There you can also see how powerful the device’s processor is and what else it has inside.
- It is better to take a router with gigabit ports; this is the first sign that it contains normal processor and it will not reduce the speed of downloading torrents.
- If you plan to mount it to the wall, you need to make sure that the case is suitable for this
- If the nearest electrical outlet is far from the WiFi router, then it is better to take a router with the PoE function (Powe over Ethernet) and PoE adapter included. Then there will be no need to run electrical wiring to the router.