Learn more detail about Network Wireless Access Point, wireless bridge and the network diagram of wireless access point and bridge
In this article:
- What is wireless access point and bridge
- Wireless access point diagram
- Wireless Access Point in the market
What is Wireless Access Point?
A network wireless access point is a simple way of extending the network wirelessly. A network wireless access point (AP) is a piece of network device that connects the wireless clients to a wired network (and usually on to the Internet from there). As with any piece of bridging hardware, it has at least two network connections and shuffles traffic between them. The wireless interface is typically an on-board radio or an embedded wireless card. The second network interface can be Ethernet, a dialup modem, or even another wireless adapter. Many wireless access points now even include multiple Ethernet ports, which simplifies the creation of a trusted network segment.
The wireless access point hardware controls access to and from both networks. On the wireless side, most vendors have implemented 802.11b/g access control methods (such as WEP encryption keys, “closed” networks, and MAC address filtering), and some newer technology implemented 802.11n standards with more advance wireless security WPA / WPA2. Some have added proprietary extensions to provide additional security, such as more sophisticated encryption. Many access points also allow control over what the wired network can send to the wireless clients, through simple firewall rules. Much of this functionality is accessible through either a Java-based tool or a simple web page interface. More advanced wireless access points are manufactured targeting for small to medium businesses with UTM feature such as Sonicwall Sonicpoint.
The figure 1 shows a simple network diagram of a wireless access point with its Ethernet port connects to the switch or generally connects to the wired router in homes or small offices. The wireless AP connects to the wired router (which typically includes built-in modem) and the wireless game adapter connects to the XBOX to let it connect to the wireless network (the AP) wirelessly eliminating the clutter of the wires in your living room.
Unfortunately, as is usually the case with proprietary extensions, these services can be used only if all of your network clients are using hardware from the same vendor.
In addition to providing access control, the access point also maintains its own network connections. This includes functions such as DHCP server to provide IP address configuration to the wireless clients on the network thereby supporting multiple wireless users while requiring only a single IP address from the wire. Some support direct bridging, allowing the wired and wireless networks to exchange data as if they were physically connected together. If the access point has multiple radios, it can bridge them together with the wire, allowing for a very flexible, extendable network. Some recent wireless access point products implement dual-band radio frequency both at 2,4 GHz and 5 GHz, such as D-Link DAP-2555 wireless N access point or DWL-8600AP wireless dual band access point.
Another important service provided by APs is the ability to “hand off” clients as they wander between access points. This lets users seamlessly walk around a college campus, for example, without ever dropping their network connection. Current AP technology allows roaming only between access points on the same physical subnet (that is, APs that aren’t separated by a router). Unfortunately, the roaming protocol was left unimplemented in the 802.11 spec, so each manufacturer has implemented its own method. This means that hand-offs between access points of different manufacturers aren’t currently possible.
Wireless access points are now manufactured with multiple operation modes, you can configure the device to work as the wireless access point, the wireless bridge which connects two separate LAN networks in two separate buildings and mostly have WDS (wireless distribution system) feature.
Figure 2 shows networking diagram of two wireless access point devices which one of them is configured as the wireless bridge to link two LAN networks in two separate buildings.
There are many wireless access point devices available in the market today you can purchase under $100 such as D-Link DAP-1360 which has multiple operation modes including the wireless access point, the wireless client, the wireless bridge and WDS feature. This access point is more popular with its range extender function in repeating your current wireless network.
Typically, higher-priced equipment includes more features, greater range, and generally more stable operations. While some APs will claim 802.11b/g/n (or Wi-Fi) compliance, they are not all alike. Features that set different models apart include:
- Direct bridging to the wired network
- Support NAT and DHCP service feature
- Dual-band radio frequency both 2,4 GHz and 5 GHz
- External antenna connectors
- Greater radio output power (most operate at 30mW, while some operate at 100mW or more)
- Security enhancements such as WPA / WPA2 and tagged VLANs or multiple SSIDs in some brand new wireless access points.
In general, look for an AP in your price range that will work for your intended application, with the greatest possible range. Single radio APs can support several users simultaneously; adding APs to your network is probably preferable to simply adding higher-gain antennas or amps to your existing AP.
See also:
- Some wireless routers by D-Link you can choose
- Computer network and wireless networking diagrams
- Types of computer networking hardware
- Build wireless computer network with ADSL2 modem router
- Netgear DGND3700 with built-in ADSL2 modem and wireless router
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