The
wireless access point is the
WLAN world's
equivalent of the
hub: it distributes network access to any wireless
network adapters in range. A WLAN
network centered around an access point is in
infrastructure mode, where all traffic passes through the
access point, as opposed to
ad-hoc mode, in
which WLAN adapters talk directly to each other.
The typical access point supports no less than 255 simultaneous wireless devices at a range of 30-300
meters (depending on conditions) and has at least one
RJ-45 Ethernet connection for wired networks.
Some wireless access points, like
D-Link's
fantabulous DI-713P, also throw in freebies like
a
DHCP server,
firewall, a 3-port 100 MBps hub
and a printer port, all managed through a built-in Web server.
The abbreviation AP is occasionally used, but the logical alternative WAP is almost never seen (at least in Europe) due to the
potential for confusion with the Wireless Application
Protocol found on mobile phones.