Ap Router Wifi Module: Learning the difference between Access Point and Router

2021-07-30/ By Admin

There are 4.66 billion active users of the internet across the world. It takes around 59.5% of the entire world population. The internet has become an essential part of people’s lives. We search, shop, and browse the internet for finding attractions of our interest on a routine basis. For many years, people have been browsing online for numerous purposes.  Most people would feel lost in absence of the internet for several everyday tasks. Sure, we can visit local stores to buy things, but most people today opt for online shopping because of convenience and time constraints. In this article, we will talk about the role of an AP router WiFi module in the internet world.

We will also discuss the differences between access points, routers, and modems. But before we discuss key differences between them, we would like to share the role and importance of WiFi modules in the internet world.

What Does an AP Router WiFi Module Do?

Imagine you are ordering something online or doing another online task. But suddenly, the WiFi disconnects almost when you were about the finish the task. Or, you move your phone or computer location and feels lost about everything you did because of insufficient signal strength to complete the task. A failure of your computer’s built-in WiFi functionality can result in losing the precious time and activity that you were involved in. So, what would be the solution for such situations?

We can use an AP router WiFi module for computers with faulty or no WiFi support. A WiFi module allows us to connect to a wireless network automatically. Another advantage of USB wireless adapters is that they come with a longer connectivity range than the built-in WiFi function.

The longer connectivity range means that you can connect to the internet from a place that was previously not accessible. It is a perfect solution for people who need to stay connected to the net from far ranges where their built-in WiFi signal strength doesn’t reach.

Therefore, external WiFi modules act as an alternative to a computer’s built-in WiFi function. The best thing is that these modules come with better signal strength and a longer range. So, if your computer’s built-in wireless functionality goes down or if it simply lacks this functionality, you don’t need to buy a new computer. You can simply buy a new AP router WiFi module to connect your existing computer to the net.

How Can I Choose the Right WiFi Adapter or Module?

People who are not familiar with wireless adapters or modules may find it tough to find the best WiFi module. For those people, it is best to go through customer reviews online. Various manufacturers of WiFi adapters sell an assortment of models for customers. Remember that the best WiFi module must help you accomplish things for which you have purchased the AP router WiFi module. Otherwise, you are simply wasting your money.

If there is a problem with the built-in WiFi of your existing computer, you should consider a few things. Is there an issue with connectivity between the walls and floors of the house? Do you need to enhance the range of the internet signal strength of the computer? It is not possible to judge a WiFi module just by its appearance. Just because an adapter is looking impressive doesn’t mean that it will function better or offer a better connectivity range than another.

Take a look at the following considerations that hold significant importance when it comes to choosing the right WiFi module:

Total Number of USB Ports in Your Computer

It is essential to know the total USB ports available in your computer before you buy an AP router WiFi module. You must ensure that your computer has enough USB ports so you can easily plug in your new WiFi module into one of the vacant ports. If there is no vacant USB slot, you need to buy a USB hub also to connect the new WiFi module.

Choosing Between USB 3.0 or USB 2.0

Your computer should have either a 3.0 USB port or a 2.0 USB port. Older laptops and computers should have 2.0 USB ports, while modern-day computers come with 3.0 USB support. You also need to know the router type you have. If you have an older router, buying the best USB module is not going to offer any benefit if the router is unable to support it. Remember that whatever quality WiFi module you buy will be a waste of money if you don’t choose it according to your router.

Therefore, both the USB ports type and router type you already have are the most important things that you must be aware of. The selection of the best wireless adapter also depends on the size of your home as well as surrounding devices. Keep in mind that surrounding devices may also interfere with the connectivity.

Other Considerations

Apart from the number and types of USB ports in your computer, there are also a few other important considerations. Before you buy a wireless module, you should make sure that it is a high-quality module from a reliable manufacturer. There is a broad range of wireless modules available on the market. Therefore, you have the luxury to compare them all and know which one is the best choice according to your budget and requirements.

You can perform online research for the best wireless routers available on the market. It should help you identify the most reliable options for your needs. Apart from that, you should also take a look at the technical specifications of the potential AP router WiFi module before the final decision.

Difference between a Router, Access Point, and Modem

For a user, internet connectivity seems pretty simple. You just connect to the internet, log in to Facebook, and that’s all: you are connected! However, when something turns wrong or it is time to update existing equipment faster, it becomes important to dive deep into those small black boxes. You may think that you need a new AP router WiFi module, but it is essential to know more about those things. Here is what you need to know about the common networking equipment that plays its part to keep you connected to the internet.

1. Internet Modem Device

The modem is the internet gateway. You will notice a telephone line or a fiber optic cable coming inside your house connecting to the modem. The modem interprets the digital 0s and 1s from a computer into the analog data for the telephone wire or the cable. In the same way, it interprets the arriving analog signals. It is known as modulation & demodulation, respectively and the word “mo-dem” is the combination of the two words, as you can see.

Typically, you get the modem from your ISP (internet service provider) against your monthly internet subscription. However, you may also need to purchase a modem yourself, depending on the ISP you choose. In some cases, you can also save a little amount of money by purchasing your own device. However, the quality of internet services greatly depends on the ISP you choose. Therefore, you must pick the ISP carefully after going through their customer reviews.

AP router WiFi module

2. Router

The role of a router is to connect devices to a modem. If you have just one computer or laptop, you can plug it right into your modem using your Ethernet cable. That’s it; you will be able to connect to the net to stream instantly. However, many individuals have multiple computers, including e-readers, tablets, smartphones, and other such devices. If this is the case, a standalone modem would not be able to deliver information to more than one device at the same time. Usually, a modem comes with a single port and produces a single IP address. The IP address identifies the user locality to the net.

A router offers the facility to connect multiple devices through an AP router WiFi module or Ethernet cables. After that, it establishes a link with the modem. The router provides a unique IP address to all devices that it utilizes for routing traffic among them. The modem receives data from the net, pushes it towards the router. Then, the router sends this data to your computer. It is why you don’t get the content you search on your laptop or computer.

A router creates the network that is called LAN (local-area-network) and it links you to the WAN (wider-area-network). In most domestic cases, the WAN is the internet, for all purposes and intents. Remember that not every single router comes with WiFi. A few routers merely link the computer via Ethernet cables. This is where the access points come in and play their role.

3. Access Point

Access points add wireless connectivity through an AP router WiFi module or built-in WiFi of the computer. There was a time when all internet-connected computers had to bear a clutter of cables. Today, we can easily connect multiple devices to a home network over WiFi. To achieve this, you require something for broadcasting wireless signals. Wireless access points connect to a router, typically over the Ethernet. It communicates with the Ethernet-less devices through wireless frequencies. Today, the use of routers with built-in APs has become so common. However, the standalone APs are still not out of the equation for businesses because they allow us to pair multiple APs together for extending the network over large areas.

Today, we also have the luxury of mesh networking kits. These kits are so common today for bigger homes with many dead spots. The reason why these kits are so popular is that they permit various units for blanketing a house in WiFi more efficiently as compared to range extenders. They can work as WAPs if there is already a router in your house, or if they can also work as a router. However, this feature comes in only a few advanced models.

Connecting Extra Computers with a Router

Every single router comes with onboard Ethernet ports. However, you might not have ample ports to connect multiple devices, depending on the class and size of your router. We are living in the era of smart homes so we may need several hard-wired based stations. If Ethernet ports are limited on the router, you can consider a switch to introduce additional Ethernet ports. Just plug the additional devices into your switch, and plug your switch into the router. After that, they will appear on the network. Keep in mind that you require a router if you want to utilize a switch.

Switches cannot create networks or assign IP (internet protocol) addresses as a router can. They just work like a traffic manager for signals that come through. You should not confuse a hub with a switch just because they look identical in appearance. You should know that they are different and act differently. A hub takes incoming signals and sends them to other devices connected through the hub. They are not common in the modern-day world.

We Can Combine These Features into One Unit

Most people don’t have a separate router, access point, and modem in their house. Today, we can find all such features in a single device. For instance, we can use WiFi routers that combine wireless APs with routers. A majority of individuals even use router/modem combo units, containing a router, wireless AP, and a modem all in a single device. Such units can be great as they can save you space and require only a few wires. However, you can still keep your devices separate because it will allow you a few more choices.

AP router WiFi module

Conclusion

Internet-connected devices use different sources and devices, such as modems, routers, and access points for uninterrupted surfing. Then, there are devices like an AP router WiFi module that overrides the built-in wireless functionality of a computer. Access points, routers, and modems are different equipment allowing users to connect single or multiple computers to the net. However, one-package solutions are also available on the market that combines all three devices in one package to avoid wires clutter around your computer setup.

If you still have any questions, feel free to contact us.

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