The difference between wireless routers and various APs

Function: AP does not have WAN or LAN ports

Performance:

1. Wireless APs can access more wireless terminals than wireless routers. In general, wireless routers can access 10-15 wireless devices, and some can even reach 50-100 devices Wifi 5 Wireless Router

2. Wireless AP is more stable than routers and less prone to crashes

Function: Router=Switch+Routing

Wireless routing=router+wireless AP

Wireless AP is equivalent to a wireless switch, used to connect wireless terminals and serve as a bridge between wired and wireless networks (a network access point)

Wireless Router, which adds routing selection function on top of wireless AP, selects the optimal network node path to provide internet access (providing path between points)

2: The difference between fat AP and thin AP

Fat AP is similar to wireless routers (with WAN, LAN ports, support for DHCP servers, DNS and MAC address cloning, VPN access, firewall and other security features). WiFi 6 Wireless Router

Thin AP is commonly referred to as AP and cannot work independently. It needs to be used in conjunction with AC (Access Controller)

When using thick or thin AP, the main consideration is the size of the network to be arranged:

Fat AP is generally used for small wireless network construction and can work independently without the cooperation of AC. It is generally applied to households, small merchants, or small office scenarios that require only a small quantity to fully cover.

Thin APs are generally used in the construction of medium to large wireless networks. A certain number of thin APs are combined with AC products to form a larger wireless network coverage, which is convenient for maintenance and management. The usage scenarios are generally shopping malls, supermarkets, scenic spots, hotels, catering and entertainment, enterprise offices, etc.