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I wanted to know what is the difference between a wifi router and an access point because I want to extend my homenetwork which is currently using 3 wireless router(configured as APs) connected via LAN with an decent switch (TL-SG2424)

I'm totally aware that a router does routing, etc. (if you don't turn it off like me) and an access point is only like a switch for wireless. However an AP has less funktions it is more expensiv than an wifi router with the same specs (and even brand).

I tried to google but I only found some basic informations about the functional differences (AP has not routing etc) like the following: Difference between wifi router and access point?

I was thinking that APs are maybe more professional for small business and so on and are not produced in high amounts because there are no real customer gear and therefore more expensive.

So I wanted to know which would be the better choice an cheaper wifi router or an Access Point?

Community
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Fritz
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2 Answers2

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There is nothing from a network standpoint which is different than having separate router and WAP devices. There are "fat" WAPs in which you configure the AP, and there are "lightweight" WAPs (LWAPs) which get their configurations from a wireless controller, making it easier to manage a large number of WAPs in concert. The combination device seems more like a "fat" WAP since the combination box doesn't control other WAPs.

The difference is that a router/firewall/switch/WAP/etc. combination sort of thing really has all the individual devices within one box controlled by one OS/interface. A router/WAP combination is the same thing as a router with an external WAP attached, except that the OS/interface controls all of the devices.

The WAP in such a combination doesn't do routing, that is controlled by the router software, and the router doesn't know that the WAP is anything more than another network interface. The software stacks are still independent of each other, but the interface ties it all together.

There are plenty of consumer-grade, stand-alone WAPs produced for home or small business use. These can be placed where you wouldn't want to place a router, like in the ceiling in the middle of a room, and you could use multiple WAPs for better coverage (think multi-story dwellings). An enterprise would more likely use LWAPs with a wireless controller for this sort of thing.

Ron Maupin
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You already described the primary differences in your question.

Which kind of devices is better for your network depends on what price/features/quality trade-offs you want to make. But for anyone to answer that, you'd have to tell us what your budget and goals are, and what specific devices you're considering, and it would probably venture into "shopping recommendation" territory that Super User frowns upon.

Spiff
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