Wi-Fi is a computer networking technology that allows devices to communicate through radio waves rather than over cables. It connects to a router via an Ethernet cable or is part of a router. The growth of the WLAN technology and wireless devices have made everything go mobile so that you can work remotely from anywhere in the network without even physically present at the location – at home or onsite. The proliferation of the Internet and the increasing use of, A wireless access point, or simply referred to as “access point”, is a wireless networking, Difference between Access Point and Extender, Functionality of Access Point vs. Extender, – Using wireless range extenders reduces throughput because wireless LANs are half duplex meaning they allow two-way communication but not simultaneously, so data throughput will suffer. An access point is a piece of technology connected or hardwired to your router or modem or Internet device and serves clients by allowing many different devices to connect directly to it wirelessly. But an Access Point acts as the centralised hub of networks while an Extender acts as a booster of existing networks. Sometimes, just changing the location of your Wi-Fi router is enough (you should keep the router in the most central position possible). Access point is a device connected with cable (Cat5) to your main router/modem/internet, and serving clients wirelessly. Range extenders are a kind of wireless repeater. The access point makes it easier for everyone using a WiFi device to be online within a specified environment. Access points generate the radio waves needed for Wi-Fi transmission, and manage the connection and disconnection of new clients to the network. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail, Written by : Sagar Khillar. There is no need to resubmit your comment. Now, let’s talk about the extender, or more commonly known as a repeater. They work best with clients which do not require a strong signal to function, and which are not used for time-sensitive applications such as gaming or streaming. The access point acts as a centralized hub that receives and transmits information over a local area network and connects users within the network. – Adding the range extenders will increase your network coverage by about 50 percent compared to 100 percent increase provided by access points. Als u bijvoorbeeld Wi-Fi-toegang wilt bieden bij de receptie van uw bedrijf, maar het signaal van de router bereikt deze plek niet, dan kunt u hier een accesspoint installeren en deze met een Ethernet-kabel aansluiten op de router in d… Each time the data traverses a wireless link using the same frequency, the data throughput is reduced to half. With this communication design, placement of extenders should be carefully planned in order to maintain a potential maximum WiFi reception. Om je wifi-bereik in huis te verbeteren kun je verschillende apparatuur gebruiken: access points, wifi repeaters (ook wel wifi versterkers of range extenders genoemd) en homeplugs of powerlines. Access point is a wireless networking device that allows wireless devices and networks to connect through a wired network using wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi. An access point is a central hub for devices to connect to a local area network, and extenders are just devices to strengthen your wireless signal. Knowing when to use each technology could help you in the creation and maintenance of your business's Wi-Fi links. In a nutshell, an access point is a hardware device, more of a central hub for devices to connect to a local area network, and extenders are just devices to strengthen your wireless signal. – Using wireless range extenders reduces throughput because wireless LANs are half duplex meaning they allow two-way communication but not simultaneously, so data throughput will suffer. A range extender repeats the wireless signal from your router to expand its reach by creating a second network, while an access point relies on a hardwired connection to your network, rather than simply repeating the existing network. He was previously an IT technician and product manager. What’s worse is that devices are designed to be flexible, and their capabilities often have different modes and/or set ups where one device can be set to perform many different things – including an ability to be set up as a WiFi signal extender/booster or configured as an access point – all dependent to specific network needs. Wi-Fi access points and range extenders can both play key roles in the delivery of wireless service to the clients on a network. This may be because of a poor Wi-Fi signal in your home at a specific location. We are constantly fighting with our pretty pricey extender at home where an wired access point is much better. Simply, an access point is that device that is connected to your router (or to a switch if that’s still being used, whatever applies) through a LAN (Ethernet) cable. Walton is based in Leicester, England, and holds a bachelor's degree in information systems from the University of Leeds. View Top-Rated Powerline Adapter (HomePlug) on Amazon Now. An Access Point creates its own wireless local area network. Plus at least 5 smart devices (iPhones and Android cell phones), a laptop, a wireless printer, an Alexa Echo Dot, a Roku smart tv, and a SL Mood Bulb. It has a similar functionality with an access point, but its aesthetic design gives it the advantage. "Difference Between Access Point and Extender." As such, they usually sit in between an access point and a network's most distant clients, helping to extend the usable range of that network. A wireless extender repeats the wireless signal from your router to expand its reach by creating a second network, eventually boosting the coverage of the main router. If you’re still using the old router you’ve had for years, then upgrading to a newer modelis also recommended. It will need to have the encryption keys of the signal configured into it. However, range extenders are a much cost effective and easier means to boost your network coverage in your home. And it’s always much easier and cost effective to add an extender or two, rather than setting up new access points. All rights reserved. – Although, both the terms access point and extender are often confused with each other, they are fairly different and used for different purpose in the networking world. However, using range extenders can have a performance impact on a network, with increased latency (signal travel time) and reduced signal strength. However, extenders or repeaters are ideal for an environment with less WiFi devices connecting to it. Sagar Khillar is a prolific content/article/blog writer working as a Senior Content Developer/Writer in a reputed client services firm based in India. Sometimes you experience poor network performance or you’re unable to access the network in certain locations. Range extenders are generally used to gain a small increase in the reach of a network. Wi-Fi extenders should have a static IP address, so it will not be detected as a client. Following best practices, it is mostly recommended to use two access points instead of using repeaters or extenders to expand wireless reception, provided there’s no issue around connecting LAN cables from the router to both the main and secondary access points. These waves are broadcasted and received by Wi-Fi antennae located in networking hardware and wireless-enabled devices, in much the same way that a radio station broadcasts its signal to your home or car. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Sagar Khillar. How to Extend the Range of High Speed Internet. Independent APs are mostly used within large businesses or small offices, to extend the coverage of an existing wired network. An access point can be thought of as the base station for a Wi-Fi signal. However, they perform highly different roles, with access points designed to create a wireless network and range extenders designed to relay an existing network. A wireless extender, or a range extender, repeats the wireless signal from your router to expand its reach by creating a second network, eventually boosting the coverage of the main router. It is an integral component of a wireless local area network infrastructure that allows a variety of wireless devices access to any network resources that the device or user may have permission to access. They do not broadcast a unique Wi-Fi signal, but instead rebroadcast the signal already created by an access point. However, the term access point is often confused with extenders (sometimes known as boosters). The access point vs. extender confusion can be difficult to detect for technology users who are not experts in the field – mostly end users and the general consumer population. That being said, the most obvious problem with Wi-Fi coverage is simply not getting enough of it. This phenomenon is especially prevalent if several wireless extenders are used in a chain. Well, an extender tends to be more convenient because of the no-wire requirement. However, extenders are great for home networks, but no so efficient for large businesses. However, the big difference lies within its true technology design and purpose. It does this without having the need to be hardwired or connected via cable to the modem or router. An extender’s wireless connection technology is designed to cut wireless bandwidth of the device connected to it into half because it needs to allocate the other half of the bandwidth to communicate back to the router or modem or Internet device. They can be used as standalone devices, but are often combined with other networking hardware such as modems and switches. So, if a physical wired connection is available, it should be used for an access point connection, rather than a range extender. Repeater is a wireless network device that repeats wireless signals to extend range without being connected with cable to either your router/modem, or your clients. BBC: WebWise: What Is Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi)? HomePlugs are designed as discreet plugs that basically leverage existing power sockets as well as the home wiring already in place to communicate and transmit data. All that said, we are going to draw the line between access point and extender. However, the big difference lies within its true technology design and purpose. New routers and access points have built-in repeater functionality that can be easily turned on/off through a switch in the device. Please note: comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. For example, many networks use a wireless combination modem/router to handle both external Internet communication and internal wireless networking. A subtle disclaimer though: there will be a lot of similarities between each technology’s functionality and capabilities that may often result to equivalence when making hasty conclusions. Een access pointis een apparaat dat een draadloos lokaal netwerk of WLAN creëert, doorgaans in een kantoor of groot gebouw. Let’s take a look at the two devices in detail. Pretty similar to the access point, yes? An extender is A repeater is a piece of wireless device that can extend the range of the wireless signal of your router or modem without it being connected via hardwired LAN cable. An extender has the exact same functionality of the repeater and that’s about it. © 2019 www.azcentral.com. Most often, access points are a more familiar technology acquired through quick technical pitches from your favorite IT store personnel and/or from personal online research. A wireless access point, or simply referred to as “access point”, is a wireless networking device that allows wireless devices and networks to connect through a wired network using wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi.