With increasing the need for rapid obtaining of data and information, the need for rapid and stable internet connection is increasing as well. A rapid , stable, and strong internet connection requires additional devices like access point and repeater. The use of additional devices requires knowledge about them, so what is the difference between access point and repeater? And when to use each of them? That’s what we are going to know.
What is the difference between access point and repeater?
Of course the correct use of the repeater and access point require knowledge of the difference between them, so what is the difference between access point and repeater?
We will define each of them as follows:
Access point is a device that can connect to the router through wires to create a wireless Wi-Fi network. That means that the Access Point converts the wired network into a wireless network in places that need a wireless network far from the router, as it creates a wireless connection in places where a wired connection couldn’t be reached. It also features Wireless connection via Access Point provides signal stability and high performance as well.
While a repeater is a device that can be connected into the router through wires, as it can catch signals and rebroadcast it to provide the necessary coverage for remote places, which gives a signal boost in remote places and solves problems of weak signal without the need for a wired connection to the router. A repeater can increase coverage of the Wi-Fi network easily, but it can decrease the speed of the connection as it rebroadcasts the signals.
So, the difference between access point and repeater can be as follows:
- Access point creates a new wireless hotspot, while repeater rebroadcasts the same signals.
- Access point makes a wired connection to the router, while repeater makes wireless connection.
- Access point is used in wide places, while repeater can be used for partial coverage of smaller areas.
- The connection speed decreases when communicating via a repeater, while this does not happen when communicating via Access Point.
- The repeater device supports more devices than the Access Point device.
When do you need an access point and when do you need a repeater
You can use access point in the following cases:
- You need to make a new wireless connection in a far place from the router, as access points can be used in wide places easily, like companies and offices.
- When you need to get a stable and fast connection to a small number of devices.
- When you need to get an internet connection in a far place from the router with the ability to have a wired connection with the router.
While the repeater can be used in the following cases:
- When you need to boost your Internet signal and expand your Wi-Fi coverage.
- When you need to get an internet connection in a far place from the router without the ability to use wires to connect.
- When you need to give an internet connection to more devices regardless of the connection speed.
The difference between access point and repeater can be in the method of connection to the router, as access point can connect to the router via wires, while the repeater can make wireless connection. Access points create new Internet signals, and the repeater strengthens the existing signals. Finally, the Access Point provides connectivity to a number of devices while maintaining the connection speed, while the repeater gives the ability to connect to a larger number of devices while the connection speed decreases.