Today most of the duties and tasks are carried out by the usage of the internet. Several people make the most use of internet access for several purposes.
WAP vs Router
The difference between WAP or Wireless Access Point and Router is their purpose. The primary purpose of WAP (Wireless Access Point) is to wirelessly allow and connect clients. On the other hand, the primary purpose of a router is to drift the traffic from different network elements that make it a networking device.
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The Wireless Access Point or WAP is an access point that allows other devices to connect to a wired device. It is a networking hardware device.
A networking device that is meant for forwarding data packets among several computer networks and to point traffic functions on the internet is known as the router.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | WAP | Router |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | The access point that allows other devices to connect to a wired device is known as the Wireless Access Point or WAP. | A networking device meant for forwarding data packets among several computer networks and point traffic functions on the internet is known as the router. |
| Purpose | For extension of the reach of a wireless network, Increase the number of users. | To form a connection multiple devices, including computers, mobile phones etc., to form a local area network that is managed, provide an internet connection to all the connected devices, Controlling the flow of data, Providence of segmentation, Inferring the suitable path for sending data packets etc. |
| Functions | Wireless Telephony Application Interface (WTAI), Optimized protocol stack, Wireless Markup language (WML), Programming model etc. | Throughput, Range, Bands, Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), Beamforming etc. |
| More suitable for | Larger enterprises, firms and organizations, Web newsgroups, Instant messaging etc. | Households, small businesses etc. |
| Subtypes | The standalone access point, Controller access point, Single frequency access point, Dual-band access point, In-wall access point, Ceiling access point, Commercial access point, Enterprise level access point. | Wireless routers, Wired router, Edge router, Core router, Virtual router. |
What is WAP?
The access point that allows other devices to connect to a wired device is known as the Wireless Access Point or WAP. It is a networking hardware device.
Based on several parameters, various types of wireless access points include standalone access point, controller access point, single frequency access point, dual-band access point, in-wall access point, ceiling access point, commercial access point, enterprise-level access point, multifunction access point etc.
Special security and safety considerations for wireless access points are included. A common safety measure of wireless traffic encryption is considered by the majority of people.
There are several uses of wireless access points. The primary purposes of wireless access point include an extension of the reach of a wireless network, increase the number of users etc.
What is Router?
A networking device that is meant for forwarding data packets among several computer networks and to point traffic functions on the internet is known as the router.
A router reads the network address information whenever a data packet arrives on any of the data lines and then infers its destination node to where it is supposed to reach.
The other purposes of the router include forming a connection multiple devices including computers, mobile phones etc.
Several types of routers are available in the market that includes wireless routers, wired router, edge router, core router, virtual router etc.
Main Differences Between WAP and Router
- Several types of wireless access points include standalone access point, controller access point, single frequency access point etc., on the other hand, several types of routers include virtual routers, core routers etc.
- The wireless access points are more suitable for enterprises and firms that require a higher level of internet accessibility. On the other hand, the router is more suitable for optimum usage of the internet in households and small businesses.
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/1041061/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014036640800025X
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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.
