In the internet era, there are hundreds of devices are used to circulate information or data from one place to another. The easier this procedure seems, the more complex the functionality it is made of.
A person might have multiple electronic devices requiring connection to the network. Access Points and Switches are hardware or devices that help a person connect with networks.
Key Takeaways
- Access points provide wireless connectivity for devices within a network, allowing Wi-Fi-enabled devices to connect to the internet.
- Switches are network devices that manage wired connections, facilitating communication between devices in a local area network (LAN).
- Both access points and switches play essential roles in networks, but access points are necessary for wireless connectivity, while switches handle wired connections.
Access Point vs. Switch
The difference between an Access Point and a Switch is that the access point is a data transfer medium that uses a signal to send and receive data. At the same time, a Switch is a medium that first transforms data into a packet and then sends them to the destinations. Both devices are a great and vital part of communication systems and computer networking.
The term access point is associated with computer networking. Most of the time, access points are wireless and work as signal transmitters between Wi-Fi devices and other wired networks.
Typically, it is a standard size device used by other devices as a portal to establish a connection with LAN.
A switch, or, more clearly speaking,, a network switch, is considered a device mainly used for connecting various devices of general use to a network.
A switch uses packet-switching technology to transfer data across multiple devices. It makes computer networking readily available and operable for users.
Comparison Table
| Parameters Of Comparison | Access Point | Switch |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | A switch is hardware that is also used for multiple connections but it uses packet-switched Technology. | Many names know an access point and some of these are AP, WAP, wireless access point, etc. |
| Other names | Many names know a switch and some of these are switching and bridging hub, MAC bridge, etc. | An access point can have up to 7 to 8 ports for network and device connections. |
| Port | A switch has many ports, and depending on the model it can have around 50 ports. | An access point can be used for 3 to 4 years before it gets worn out. |
| Lifespan | Many Switch models are available that can work for 5 to 10 years, though new upgrades keep launching. | Depending on the models, an access point can consume the energy of about 8, 5, or 6 watts to be operated. |
| Power required | A switch requires the amount of power around 14 to 30 Watts to function. | A switch requires an amount of power around 14 to 30 Watts to function. |
What is an Access Point?
Access points are known as a wireless access point, AP, and WAP. An access point is an essential device to connect with available networks in the local areas.
The access point can be factory reset, and resetting procedures can vary from device to device.
The security standards offered by access points to the users are based on Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2, shortly known as WPA2. Also, it comes with AES encryption.
An access point contains a MAC address, which can be acquired by logging in to the router configuration that is based on the web.
Hence, a person can understand by an access point that it is a device used in computer networking to support network connection and WiFi.
There are various standards of wireless data followed by the access point. These data standards were mainly introduced for access points and wireless routers.
With the modernization, new wireless data standards have been developed, but there is still countless technology based on older standards. These standards are 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11n, and many more.
Access points come with some limitations as well; for example, one access point should not have more than 10 to 25 clients. However, the number of clients per access point depends on many factors.
What is Switch?
A switch is a hardware that obtains data packets and transmits them to their required destination. A Switch is known to have seven layers, commonly used to make connections.
These layers are the physical layer, data link layer, application layer, transport layer, presentation layer, session, and network layer.
The data link layer is known previously as layer two and layer 3. The switches using layer 3 to send and receive data are known as multilayer or layer-3.
A switch is durable and can work for 5 to 10 years. The power required to operate a switch device is up to 14 to 30 watts, though it depends on what kind of model is being used.
Just like an access point, a switch uses a MAC address. It has many ports that are beneficial when a person needs to connect several devices at a time.
There are many cables used in the functioning of a switch. The hots of networks depend on the buttons for network connection.
There are several types of networks supported by switches, fibre Channels, Ethernet, ATM, RapidIO, etc.
Switches can have many devices,; some are managed switches, unmanaged switches, smart switches, enterprise-managed switches, etc.
Main Differences Between Access Point and Switch
- An access point is a wireless medium for transferring data from one point to another. On the other hand, Switches are only used for wired networks.
- Access points receive and send data by converting them into 5GHz and 2.4GHz signals. At the same time, a switch sends data to its destination in the form of packets.
- The power consumption of an access point can be from 6 to 8 watts. On the other hand, a switch requires around 14 to 30 Watts.
- An access point’s normal duration is up to 3 to 4 years. On the other hand, it can be useful for 5 to 10 years.
- The other terms used in the place of access points are WAP and AP. A switch, on the other side, is known as a switching hub and MAC bridging.
- https://www.usenix.org/conference/nsdi16/technical-sessions/presentation/vasisht
- https://www.nature.com/articles/nchembio.611
Last Updated : 31 August, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
Pretty cool to finally learn what the differences are!
Agreed. You never know when this information will come in handy!
I thought so too, always a good thing to expand knowledge.
What an interesting read!
This article is so informative, I finally understand the difference between an access point and a switch!
I agree, this really broke it down in an easy to understand way!
I know, right? The comparison table was so helpful!
I feel like this article oversimplified the difference between an access point and a switch
I see what you mean, I would have liked a more in-depth analysis too.
The tone of the article was a bit dry, but the information was very helpful
I found it a little dry too, but I’d rather that than a lot of unnecessary fluff!
This was a great article! Learned a lot