USB wireless adapters connect to the external USB port of a computer. Traditional PCI wireless adapters are add-in cards designed for installation inside a desktop computer having a PCI bus. Wireless network adapters also exist in several different form factors. Each adapter supports one or more of the 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g Wi-Fi standards. Wireless network adapters contain a built-in radio transmitter and receiver. Like wireless routers, access points are available with support for 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g or combinations.Ī wireless network adapter allows a computing device to join a wireless LAN. Wireless routers actually contain a wireless access point as part of their overall package. The access point connects to the broadband router, allowing wireless clients to join the home network without needing to rewire or reconfigure the Ethernet connections.Īs illustrated by the Linksys WAP54G shown above, wireless access points appear physically similar to wireless routers. In home networking, wireless access points can be used to extend an existing home network based on a wired broadband router. Client computers may move or roam between each of these access points as needed. By connecting access points to each other, local networks having thousands of access points can be created. Each access point typically supports up to 255 client computers. Wireless access points are commonly used in large office buildings to create one wireless local area network (WLAN) that spans a large area. An access point, in turn, may connect to another access point, or to a wired Ethernet router. Access points centralize all WiFi clients on a local network in so-called "infrastructure" mode. Generally, only one wireless router is required to network an entire household.Ī wireless access point (sometimes called an "AP" or "WAP") serves to join or "bridge" wireless clients to a wired Ethernet network. Wireless router products differ in the network protocols they support (802.11g, 802.11a, 802.11b or a combination), in the number of wired device connections they support, in the security options they support, and in many other smaller ways. Some wireless routers like the WRT54G feature external antennas that protrude from the top of the device others contain built-in antennas. Wireless routers are small box-like devices generally less than 12 inches (0.3 m) in length, with LED lights on the front and with connection ports on the sides or back.
This is a popular wireless router product based on the 802.11g Wi-Fi network standard. Additionally, many wireless router products include a built-in firewall that protects the home network from intruders.
Wireless routers allow cable modem and DSL internet connections to be shared. They also contain a network switch to allow some computers to be connected with Ethernet cables. These routers support all home computers configured with wireless network adapters (see below). The centerpiece product of many home computer networks is a wireless router.
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