Computers and other devices on a network share a limited amount of resources, and that’s true for both wired and wireless (Wi-Fi) networks. When you connect a laptop, a few PCs, and a bunch of smartphones to your network, it’s harder to stream Netflix or Hulu on your TV. That’s because as more devices connect to a network, more bandwidth is needed. The router determines where capacity is needed and where it’s used the most, and then pulls it randomly to keep all the devices running at a certain level.
How many devices can a router handle?
Most home networks and public Wi-Fi hotspots operate with a single wireless access point (a broadband router in the case of home networks). Business computer networks, on the other hand, install multiple access points to extend their wireless network coverage over a larger physical area.
Each access point has limits on the number of connections and the amount of network load it can handle. Integrating multiple access points into a larger network increases overall scale.
Many individual wireless routers and other access points can support up to about 250 connected devices.
