Term of the Moment
FacePalm
Definition: access point
(1) Any point of entry.
(2) In most cases, an access point is a base station with antenna in a Wi-Fi network, commonly known as a "hotspot." Stand-alone access points (APs) plug into the network router; however, wireless routers have their own access point, a major feature. See wireless router and wireless LAN.
Like the Cellular System
Multiple access points can be deployed in a large facility, and roaming users are handed off from one AP to another.
Network Name = Service Set Identifier (SSID)
Wi-Fi networks are assigned a name by the user. When devices search for Wi-Fi networks, they display the SSIDs of all APs in the vicinity. For more details, see SSID. See virtual access point and wireless LAN.
Access Points (APs)
First 802.11 Access Point
External or Internal Antennas
There Is an Antenna Inside
(2) In most cases, an access point is a base station with antenna in a Wi-Fi network, commonly known as a "hotspot." Stand-alone access points (APs) plug into the network router; however, wireless routers have their own access point, a major feature. See wireless router and wireless LAN.
Like the Cellular System
Multiple access points can be deployed in a large facility, and roaming users are handed off from one AP to another.
Network Name = Service Set Identifier (SSID)
Wi-Fi networks are assigned a name by the user. When devices search for Wi-Fi networks, they display the SSIDs of all APs in the vicinity. For more details, see SSID. See virtual access point and wireless LAN.
Hotspots range from 50 to 1,000 feet, the latter with amplification. Mobile users are handed off from one AP to another.
The InTalk WR1200 was the first AP to conform to IEEE 802.11. Introduced in 1998, the maximum transmission rate was 2 Mbps. At 46 Gbps, Wi-Fi 7 is expected to be 23,000 times faster. (Image courtesy of Jod Edney.)
Stand-alone access points are available with external antennas like the desktop unit (top) as well as ceiling mounted with internal antennas (bottom).
Open up the ceiling-mounted access point (previous image), and you find the antenna inside the case.