Wireless access points (APs or WAPs) are network devices that allow Wi-Fi devices to connect to a wired network. They form wireless local area networks (WLANs).
Wireless Access Point vs. WiFi Router
An access point acts as a central transmitter and receiver of wireless radio signals. Mainstream wireless APs support Wi-Fi and are used in homes, public Internet hotspots, and corporate networks to accommodate wireless mobile devices. The access point can be incorporated into a wired router or a standalone router.
Stand-alone access points are small physical devices that look a lot like broadband routers for the home. Wireless routers used for home networking have access points built into the hardware and work with stand-alone AP units. When you use a tablet or laptop to go online, the device goes through an access point, either hardware or built-in, to access the internet without connecting via a cable.
Several major consumer Wi-Fi vendors produce access points, which allow businesses to provide wireless connectivity anywhere they can run an Ethernet cable from the access point to a wired router. AP hardware consists of radio transceivers, antennas, and device firmware.
