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Difference Between Access Point & Range Extender

In recent years, Wi-Fi technology has increased greatly, when it comes to businesses, it’s not one-size-fits-all. With heavy traffic, big office spaces usually utilize Wi-Fi access points, while small offices with limited users are more expected to have Wi-Fi routers & range extenders.


WHAT IS AN ACCESS POINT?


An access point creates a wireless local area network, or WLAN, generally in an office/large building. An access point connects to wired router, a switch, or hub via an Ethernet cable, & projects a Wi-Fi signal to a selected area. For example, you can install an access point near the front desk & run an Ethernet cable through the ceiling back to the server room, if you desire to enable Wi-Fi access in your company's reception area but do not have a router inside the range.


WHAT IS A RANGE EXTENDER?


The reach of an existing Wi-Fi network can be enlarged by a range extender. Range extenders must be placed where the Wi-Fi router's signal is already strong, not in the location of the real dead spot, since it connects wirelessly to Wi-Fi routers. For instance, installing a range extender on the ground floor will remove potential dead zones on the second floor, if your router is in the basement of a 2 story building.


WHY ACCESS POINTS ARE SUPERIOR FOR BUSINESSES?


They are not well-organized for contemporary businesses, while range extenders are huge for home Wi-Fi networks. At one time, this is because they can merely support a limited number of devices generally no more than 20. They do not enhance its available bandwidth while range extenders do enhance the coverage of a Wi-Fi router. A range-extender could end up weighing down your connection, depending on the number of devices you have linked concurrently.


Access points can handle over 60 concurrent connections each. Users can roam freely from room to room without experiencing network interruptions, by installing access points all through the office. As they move through the building, without dropping the connection their devices transfer flawlessly from one access point to the next—they won’t even understand they are switching between networks.


Conclusion: A range extender lengthens the reach of an existing Wi-Fi network; an tp link access point can handle over 60 connections which are beneficial for business. There are many differences between them as per their usage and the above information will be helpful for the final selection.

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