Wireless Access Point
Before the wireless network was designed setting up a standard wired network was quite a task and only few people could do it right. It consisted in running cables through walls and ceilings adding label to each cable and concentrating them in special rooms.
Now, with Wireless Networks it`s much easier since if you need to set up a network all you need is a Wireless Access Network and a few basic networking skills. Wireless Networks are build to a specific standard, the IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/.
Wireless Access Points(WAPs) are used especially in conference rooms where you`ll never know exactly how many mobile computers may be and thus adding more cables isn`t possible. WAPs supports a large number of computers attached to the network. Another important thing about Wireless Access Networks is that everything is wireless and thus you aren`t limited to a single static point. You can move at any time and still be able to browse the internet. Most users use now WAPs at home. There using just a WAP you can have internet throughout the entire house without having to run wires in every room of the house. Most WAPs used in a home have multiple functions not just the function of an Access Point. It has the function of a switch and in the same time of a router. With just one equipment which performs all the actions a user can access the internet.
US $103.50
As any network, Wireless networks have both advantages and disadvantages. One of the main disadvantages is Limitation.
A standard WAP can accept a maximum of 30 clients located in a small area. The area can vary depending on the WAP capabilities and its placement. An outdoor WAP will accept connections at a higher distance while and indoor WAP will be more restrictive. The signal strength depends in the same time on the weather, the type of antenna, the power of the device, and other electronic devices that can interfere with the signal.
The maximum range can go up to a KM but in practice it won`t go up 400m outdoor.
Another disadvantage of the Wireless Network is Security. Since everything is wireless anyone can access the network, even unwanted people. For this reason a set of Security Measures must be taken in order to prevent unwanted people to access the network. The Security can start from a list of Computer MACs that are allowed to access the network and continues with a certain key needed by those who want to access the network. The key can be a clear phrase or an encrypted password.
Modern access points have different types of built-in encryption. WEP is the first type of encryption implemented but it proved easy to crack so the second and third generation schemes needed to be more secure. WPA and WPA2 are secure only if you use a strong password( as complicated as possible).
