Wireless point. What is a Wi-Fi hotspot? What is the difference between a router and an access point? Operating modes of wireless access points

Access points are equipment that is ubiquitous today. Most often, this name refers to wireless equipment that relays data received via cable and distributes it to subscribers. In turn, wireless access points are divided into several different classes. They include models designed for the following tasks:

• Creating WiFi hotspots indoors.
• Creating a WiFi hotspot on the street.
• Deployment of operator ptp networks.
• Deployment of PTP links (bridge).

Each class has a specific form factor.

Outdoor access points

Outdoor access points are assembled in all-weather, durable housings that provide tightness and reliable protection from a wide variety of adverse environmental factors. Materials used to manufacture such devices typically include metal, as well as all-weather, impact-resistant ABS plastic (or other impact-resistant types)

The electronics of external models have a number of differences. They use high-quality electronic components that can operate over a wide temperature range without breaking down.

The antennas of such devices can be either integrated inside the case or external. External options for signal emitters for access points of this class will be preferable, since they make it possible to change the radio characteristics of the set, increasing the range by increasing the gain when using directional antennas, or increasing the coverage area when using omnidirectional antennas with a circular radiation pattern.

Outdoor models can be of three types and are intended for:

• Deploying a custom WiFi network

Models for outdoor WiFi hotspot deployment are usually quite compact and small in size, although some have the ability to use external antennas. A typical example is the UniFi Mech

• Carrier wireless network deployments

Models belonging to this type are usually more massive, have a powerful radio part and almost always require the use of external antennas, the type of which can vary greatly. Often, such access points work with proprietary data transfer protocols, such as Ubiquiti AirMax. A typical example is Ubiquiti Rocket.

• Deployment of PTP links

In the vast majority of cases, such models have a parabolic antenna, and, accordingly, quite large dimensions dictated by the use of a “dish”. The models have a narrow radiation pattern and require precise alignment of the connection. However, over short distances, compact devices with an integrated panel antenna can be used. The data transfer protocol can be either proprietary developments (Ubiquiti AirMax) or WiFi. Typical examples are PowerBeam; NanoBeam.

• Deployment of operator communication channels

Such devices are in many ways similar to PTP link access points, but they are heavier, have higher speeds, and the vast majority do not use WiFi. Some models have the ability to operate using frequency duplex, and have separate antennas for data reception and transmission. A typical example is Ubiquiti AirFiber.

Internal access points

These models are designed for distributing the Internet to subscribers and working with mobile gadgets, computers, and laptops. At the same time, the devices have both different designs, with mounting to the ceiling, walls, or the possibility of desktop placement, and significant differences in the technical characteristics of the radio part, which include:

• Supported WiFi versions (802.11 n\ac\ax-6).
• Radio power.
• Frequency ranges.
• Number of radio modules.
• MIMO antenna circuit.

Typical representatives of this type are UniFi WiFi access points. An important feature of operator access points is the ability to combine them into a single operator network, which allows you to centrally manage the connection of subscribers, configure equipment, and also ensures the functioning of “roaming” with quick authorization of subscribers when moving between devices.

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 wireless communication equipment for their home, many users do not see the difference between Acess Point and Router and often buy the wrong thing. 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 an AP will help solve this problem.

What is a router?

Routers, or routers as they are also called, are a much more complex device. Among other things, they differ in that with their help you can organize a new network, and the AP 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).
• Limiting Internet speed for various devices on your network, as well as filtering 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 cannot do anything 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.

An access point is a very useful thing, but it should not be confused with a router. There are some differences between them, although they perform very similar functions.

Access point - what is it

An access point (APN) is a device through which other devices gain access to the Internet. Let's say you have wired Internet, and you need to connect several devices to it - a computer, telephone and TV. APN will come to the rescue: by connecting an Internet cable to it, you will distribute the Internet to all devices via a W-Fi network.

Differences between APN and router

A standard router does the same job - it takes the Internet from one source and distributes it to many devices. But, firstly, this was not always the case: initially, routers divided the Internet from one cable into several wires, each of which could be connected to one device. This possibility remains in modern routers: on the rear panel there is one input for a WAN cable that supplies the Internet, and several inputs for wires that will lead the Internet to some device. But after some time, routers learned to distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi, so the difference between them and APN decreased, but still remained.

The router has an input for WAN and LAN cable

Secondly, the router can do more than APN. The access point only receives information and sends it out, the router is the same, but can also:

• route (redistribute) traffic between several network levels. That's why it is sometimes called a router;
• issue an individual number to each connected device (assign an IP), which helps manage the amount of traffic allocated to a particular device. For example, thanks to this, you can limit the maximum speed of one device so that another receives higher priority;
• guarantees greater security, as it has a built-in firewall;
• may have even more settings, the availability of which depends on the router model.

There are also differences in the usage process, listed in table format.

Table: router differences from APN

What to choose - APN or router

Based on all the differences described above, we can conclude: it is better, because it is easier, to use a router. APN is convenient in offices and organizations; it is recommended to use a router in home and private premises, as it is easy to both configure and reconfigure in the future, it is safer, has more settings and provides the ability to distribute the Internet via cable, which ensures the fastest and most stable distribution Internet.

The last factor is very important: APN distributes the Internet only via Wi-Fi, and many desktop computers cannot receive a Wi-Fi signal. Of course, you can purchase additional equipment for your computer, but if your goal is comfort at home, use a router.

But APNs are sometimes used for another purpose: increasing the range of the router. Let's say you have a router that distributes the Internet to several rooms, but its signal does not reach the farthest one, and there is no way to rearrange it. In this case, the router synchronizes with the APN, which increases the signal strength. Many companies produce both routers and access points, so their compatibility is ensured.

What to look for when purchasing an APN

If you still decide to purchase an APN, then pay attention to the following characteristics:

• maximum number of connected devices - shows how many devices the APN can simultaneously service. Of course, if APN is installed at home, where 2-4 devices will connect to it, then this parameter is not important, but for organizations in which the number of devices exceeds a hundred, this is important;
• what is used to control it, is there any special software from the manufacturer;
• maximum and minimum data transfer speed;
• encryption method, WPA or WPA2 is recommended, a more outdated method is WEP;
• frequency range - also affects connection speed, compatibility, range, and the ability of the signal to bypass physical barriers.

Select a device based on price/quality ratio. Ask your salesperson to tell you which APN is best for your needs.

APN setup

In most cases, the access point is configured automatically as soon as it gains access to the Internet. But in the future you can reconfigure it by following these steps:

1. Some companies provide a special program that allows you to manage APN. But in most cases, a local website is provided, launched through a browser. You can find out which method is used in your case in the instructions. We will consider the second option - to enter the site, usually, but not always, the address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 is used. To log in you will need a username and password, this is used by default. Login information can also be found in the instructions or on the manufacturer’s website.

   Enter your password and login to log in

2. The interface of points from different manufacturers differs, but the general logic remains the same: find the “Network setup” or “Quick setup” section and go to it.

   Go to the “Quick setup” section

3. In it you can select a network, a name for it, set a password for the connection, select an encryption method and signal strength. There are also more detailed settings here (standard, frequency, VMM), which should not be touched if you do not know what they affect.

   We change all the necessary settings of the access point

APN via device

Most modern devices are capable of performing APN functions - distributing mobile or wired Internet via Wi-Fi network to other devices. The speed and range are sometimes lower than in a separate base station, but the capabilities should be sufficient for temporary Internet distribution. Please note that when distributing mobile Internet, traffic is sometimes limited or paid for in a different, often more expensive, plan.

Android

1. Open your device settings.

   Open Android settings

2. Go to the "More" section.

   Open the “More” section

3. Open the “Access Point” subsection.

   Open the “Access Point” section

4. Select the distribution method: Wi-Fi network, cable or Bluetooth. Activate one of them. Done, the second device connected using the selected method has gained access to the Internet.

   Activate one of the access point modes

iOS

If the Modem Mode tab is missing, follow these steps:

1. While in your device settings, open the Cellular tab.

   Open the “Cellular Communications” section

2. Select the “Cellular Data Network” sub-item.

   Open the “Cellular Data Network” section

3. Fill in the APN, name and password lines. Data for different operators is presented in the table below.

   Register APN, login and password

Table: network settings for popular operators

Laptop

This method is suitable for users of laptops running Windows 7. In other versions of the system, it is also possible to create an APN, but the steps will be slightly different. It will not be possible to distribute the Internet from a personal computer without additional equipment, since PCs as standard do not know how to receive and transmit a Wi-Fi network.

1. Click on the network icon in the lower right corner of the screen and go to the network control center.

It is quite difficult to understand the current variety of access points. Each manufacturer considers it their duty to release 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's 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 network. 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 are bought out of desperation or human stupidity. However, I digress about the correct construction of a WiFi network, I’ll write something separately.

It is possible to connect via Ethernet (for example, a desktop computer, TV, NAS, etc.), and use Wi-Fi for mobile devices (mobile phones, laptops, tablets).

1. We select the network standard 802.11 b/g/n (the most important thing is the presence of the letter N)
2. Speed ​​300 Mbit/s. (the actual speed will be lower, and you shouldn’t overpay for 450 Mbit/s, because very few devices work 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)
3. Number of antennas. The bigger, the better. But for an apartment two are enough. (if you want to read more about this, google about MIMO)
4. Manufacturer (purely subjective opinion). For home it is better to choose among TP-Link, ASUS and DLink
5. 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.
6. It is better to take a router with gigabit ports, this is the first sign that it has a normal processor and will not reduce the speed of downloading torrents.
7. If you plan to mount it to the wall, you need to make sure that the case is suitable for this
8. If the nearest electrical outlet is far from the WiFi router, then it is better to take a router with the PoE (Powe over Ethernet) function and a PoE adapter included. Then there will be no need to run electrical wiring to the router.