For both home users and businesses alike, access points and routers play central yet unique roles in local area network infrastructures to connect our multitude of devices. But what exactly is the difference between the two technologies, and when is one preferred over the other?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll demystify access points vs. routers by exploring what sets them apart and delving into their capabilities. You‘ll learn the pros and cons of each to determine the best choice based on your specific needs and budget.
Whether optimizing the network for your smart home system or ensuring your company‘s growth won‘t be constrained by connectivity limitations, understanding the fundamental distinctions will provide clarity to your expansion plans.
A Lay of the Network Land
As our gadgets and technology usage explode, so too does complexity behind the scenes powering seamless access to information and services. The average US household now contains over 25 connected devices across computers, phones, TVs, game consoles and smart home equipment. This density strains networking resources.
On the business front, mid-sized organizations manage an average of 3.5 access points per thousand square feet. Enterprise IT teams are expected to accommodate IoT endpoints growing at a 23% compound annual rate. Supporting this increase not only maintains productivity but allows emerging technologies like site-to-site connectivity, location analytics and augmented reality.
Access Point Definition
First, let‘s demystify exactly what an access point is and how it functions before contrasting it against a router.
An access point (AP) is a networking device that allows wireless gadgets to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi connectivity standards. Essentially, it‘s a transition point taking wired Ethernet feeds from an existing router and converting them into wireless signals.
Access points take wired Ethernet connections and provide Wi-Fi access
Devices like laptops, tablets and phones can detect these wireless network signatures being broadcast and join them to gain accessibility to networked resources and internet connectivity.
Under the hood, access points contain radio transmitters/receivers (transceivers) along with antennas for sending out and receiving Wi-Fi signals. However, they lack the intelligence and decision-making logic to handle essential networking duties like managing network traffic or passing data packets between various connected local and external networks.
Instead, they depend on a router for these core responsibilities. Access points essentially just facilitate wireless access – any data routing occurs upstream after handing traffic off to the router managing the local area network (LAN).
Capabilities of Enterprise-grade Access Points
While basic consumer access points may offer only limited settings around Wi-Fi parameters, higher-end models provide IT administrators more advanced capabilities. Let‘s examine some key features supported in commercial-grade hardware:
Centralized Management – Rather than configure each access point individually, enterprise administrators can deploy special controller appliances or cloud services which centrally monitor and configure potentially thousands of access points across multiple locations. This tremendously simplifies applying security policies, adding new SSIDs, troubleshooting connectivity issues and keeping firmware up to date.
Power over Ethernet – Eliminating separate power cables, PoE access points receive electricity directly from Ethernet data lines. This facilitates flexible placement along ceiling rails away from outlets.
Spectrum Analysis – Clear interference and maintain optimal performance by continually scanning for congestion across 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz Wi-Fi bands, automatically shifting usage as needed.
Load Balancing – As particular APs reach capacity handling numerous client associations, the system can dynamically shift devices to other access points with more available resources. This helps guarantee bandwidth for mission-critical applications.
Seamless Roaming – Support real-time voice/video communications without interruption as users move between access points by quickly transferring sessions from one AP to the next.
Band Steering – Direct client devices toward 5Ghz for faster data rates or 2.4Ghz for longer range to most appropriately match their connectivity capabilities.
Captive Portals – For guest users, create customized web-based login, disclaimer or data collection forms which appear prior to granting internet access. Useful in hotels, events, waiting rooms and other public areas.
Router Definition
In contrast to access points focused solely on wireless transmission, routers are intelligent network traffic managers. They form the backbone of local area networks by connecting various subnets and internal devices/users while also providing connectivity out to external wide area networks like the internet.
Routers connect internal local area networks with external networks like the internet
Routers facilitate this routing responsibility in several key ways:
Traffic Direction – Based on embedded rules and algorithms, routers decide the path to send particular packets of data to reach the intended destination across various paths and subnets.
Connectivity Protocols – Properly formatting and transporting traffic relies on routers speaking networking languages like IP, TCP, UDP, DNS and DHCP across disparate wired/wireless mediums and physical layer specifications.
Statefulness – Unlike simplistic hubs and switches relying solely on individual packet addressing, routers build dynamic routing tables to track connection state and topology. This supports intelligent priority and failover capabilities adapting to network conditions.
Network Address Translation – Converting between public external and private internal IP addresses maintains internal configurations shielded from outside parties and allows flexible expansion as organizations grow.
Access Control Lists – Govern permissions around which devices and applications can pass traffic to provide policy enforcement. For example, block non-business websites for most users while allowing IT management protocols.
In home networks, consumers typically employ an all-in-one device combining a router, switch and wireless access point into a single unit. However medium to large organizations often deploy specialized hardware handling differentiated duties across areas like core routing, distribution switching and wireless access provisioning.
Key Differences Between Routers and Access Points
Given routers handle a broad array of networking assignments well beyond just wireless transmission, how exactly do they compare to access points?
| Attribute | Router | Access Point |
|---|---|---|
| Core Function | Traffic routing, interconnectivity | Wireless access provisioning |
| External Network Reachability | Yes, connect LANs to WANs like internet | No, only facilitates internal traffic flow |
| Statefulness | Yes, track and adapt to changing conditions | Limited capabilities |
| Wired Port Density | Often >= 5 ports for connecting devices via Ethernet cables | 0-4 mixed with wireless radios |
| Configuration Parameters | Extensive ACLs, DHCP, VLANs, NAT, QoS, etc. | Typically just SSID and radio settings |
| Supported Protocols | IP, TCP, UDP, DNS, DHCP, SMTP, SNMP, etc. | 802.11b/g/n/ac/ax wireless standards |
| Security Responsibilities | Firewall, VPN termination, ACLs, etc. | Usually none, depends on router policies |
Given these extensive responsibilities handled by routers under the hood, access points depend on an existing router to perform the core networking duties as they simply extend wireless connectivity.
Now that we‘ve outlined the key traits differentiating routers vs. access points, let‘s compare the advantages and drawbacks of each.
Access Point Pros and Cons
Weighing the advantages and disadvantages of access points
Benefits
- Simple to add wireless coverage incrementally as needed
- Facilitate access for density of wireless gadgets and mobility around office/home
- Placed wherever signals needed most – outlets unnecessary
- Enterprise-grade models enable robust monitoring, security and high availability
- Carrier-grade option for venues supporting thousands of concurrent users
Drawbacks
- More costly than basic wireless router
- Complex installation & configuration require networking skills
- Fully depend on router for all core data handling duties
- Basic consumer models offer limited performance & configurability
- Requires Ethernet backhaul to router limiting flexible placement
Where an all-in-one wireless router alone can‘t provide sufficient signal strength or capacity across every corner, deploying additional access points strategically throughout a space can pay dividends through expanded coverage.
Router Pros and Cons
Evaluating router advantages and limitations
Advantages
- Simple plug-and-play setup within minutes
- Wired ports allow connecting nearby stationary devices
- Comprehensive solution for home networking needs
- Advanced QoS prioritization capabilities
- Hardware/software tailored for WAN optimization
Drawbacks
- Constrained wireless range at farther distances
- Simultaneous connection limits as devices proliferate
- Lack proactive monitoring & alerting abilities
- Consumer models prone to software vulnerabilities
- Power outage renders entire network offline
For small spaces with just modest coverage needs, quality all-in-one routers excel at delivering essential connectivity capabilities. However, insufficient Wi-Fi reach across larger homes or performance limitations as users scale can necessitate AP expansion.
Determining Ideal Access and Distribution
When determining networking hardware needs, carefully evaluating current and future usage along with environmental considerations allows intelligently tailoring the optimal mixture of routers and access points.
While routers form the heart of all local area networks, think through wireless coverage requirements across the intended physical footprint along with density expectations. Supporting mobile use cases depends on uninterrupted signals spanning the entire area while performance degrades as excessive users overload standard router capabilities.
In these scenarios, strategically situating commercial-grade access points to bolster Wi-Fi availability in troublesome spots can make perfect sense. Power over Ethernet facilitates flexible placement while next-gen 802.11ax standards boost throughput. For small spaces, consumer mesh networks amplify range via multiple units.
On the flip side, single family homes and small offices may remain well serviced through an enhanced router alone providing both wired and Wi-Fi ports. Review wireless congestion across bands to ensure sufficient spectrum availability, toggling channels as needed.
Finally, be mindful that as internet speeds ramp up dramatically in coming years with expanding 5G and fiber optic rollouts, home routers must keep pace to avoid creating internal bottlenecks.
Final Considerations
As you evaluate access methods, don‘t just consider immediate requirements but also plan for emerging technologies on the horizon which will further stress networks.
Between proliferating phones, tablets and laptops along with waves of IoT smart devices hitting homes, network demands will continue swelling. Adopting high performance equipment with room to scale prevents short term decisions constraining business innovation or personal enjoyment long term.
The bottom line – while both routers and access points interoperate to enable connectivity in homes and enterprises alike, the distinctions between their target uses cases diverge. Routers orchestrate the networking ecosystem flow allowing internal and external communications along policy guidelines. Access points simply radiate this connectivity to the last wireless hop facilitating mobility and density.
Understanding where coverage gaps or capacity ceilings arise allows incrementally introducing access points for filling voids. Meanwhile enhanced routers continue directing data flows crisscrossing between our many networked devices and services. By leveraging the strengths of each component, both environments and users thrive with ample connectivity to information and resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just use multiple routers instead of access points to extend coverage?
Employing old routers in bridge mode can amplify signals in a pinch. However, dedicated commercial access points will provide higher performance, centralized management and better roaming.
What are the leading business drivers around access point adoption?
Supporting wireless growth, IoT endpoints, high density client environments, seamless roaming, location services and bandwidth-hungry uses cases all incent more robust Wi-Fi infrastructure.
What methodology helps determine optimal access point placement?
Conducting wireless site surveys identifies signal coverage gaps and detects sources of RF interference. This allows strategic installation locations combined with adjusting transmit power and channel settings.
Could I just use a Wi-Fi mesh system instead of access points?
In small environments like homes, mesh networks providing multiple router nodes can help extend range more easily than commercial access points demanding more networking knowledge. However, businesses require greater stability and segmentation.
