Though planning for your wireless network you might be asking what is the dissimilarity between a router and an access point. You require thinking of a router as more of a server because it performs a lot of functions like a server. An access point only provides a portal for wireless client to connect to your existing LAN.

The capability to connect multiple computers to the internet is one of the main features of a router. The router is assigned one WAN IP address from your ISP. This IP address is called a public IP address that each one on the internet. Since you have multiple computers connected to your router the router uses a protocol called Network address translation NAT will assign the computers that are behind your routers IP address, private IP addresses. NAT acts as a firewall because computers on the internet cannot in theory even see your computers. They will only see the IP address of your router. NAT does block traffic from reaching your computers but it will not block Trojans from going out to the internet.

The more people that enter the door at the same time the slower they will go. 802.11b access points say they will give you a through put rate of 11mps but the actual rate is around 5MPS. 802.11g has a rating of 54mbps with an actual through put of 20mbps. The access points do have most of the same security features as a router such as WEP, WPA, 8021x and TKPI but they will not have the traffic cop functions like a router. Also the access points will not have NAT which would add a needless layer to your network. To keep it easy access points just simulate plugging in your laptop to a port in the wall and that’s it. A router is used on the border of you network to act as a traffic cop choose who can come in and blocking those you want to keep out.