حلقة الوصل
حلقة الوصل
27 May 2024

Access Point

Everyone, whether at home or in the workplace, needs to strengthen their internet connection and achieve high-quality connectivity to accomplish various tasks. Therefore, many people require converting a router to an access point, which links wireless devices like mobile phones and laptops to the main network, facilitating communication between wired and wireless devices.

Steps to Convert a Router to an Access Point

Converting a router to an access point involves disabling the DHCP feature within the router, changing the IP address to match the main network, and connecting the router to a LAN port instead of a WAN port. Here are the steps:

  1. Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
  2. Open your browser and type the following address in the address bar: 192.168.1.1.
  3. Access the wireless network settings page.
  4. Sometimes, there might be an option called "Hotspot mode," "Subnet mode," or "Wireless mode." In this case, select this option directly.
  5. Save the changes made after this step.
  6. In this step, an Ethernet cable should be installed from the LAN port on the router to the LAN port on the main router or network switch.
  7. Disable the DHCP function on the router by accessing the router settings as mentioned earlier. Log in to the router using your username and password or the credentials provided on the back of the router. Then navigate to the DHCP configuration or network settings, find the DHCP option, choose to disable it, and save the changes made.
  8. Change the IP address of the router to be within the same IP address range as the main network. Access the router settings using the previously mentioned IP address, log in to the router page using your username and password, or the credentials provided on the router's back if you changed them. Then navigate to the network configuration or IP address change section, enter the new IP address, ensuring it does not conflict with any other addresses within the network range, and save the changes made.
  9. Connect an Ethernet cable from the LAN port on the router converted to an access point to a LAN port on the main router or network switch.
  10. Finally, restart the router, which now operates as an access point efficiently.

What is an Access Point?

An access point is a device used in wireless networks to connect all wireless devices such as mobile phones or laptops to the main wired network through cables. It provides wireless network connectivity to access the internet or the local network, facilitating communication between wired and wireless devices.

Purpose of Converting a Router to an Access Point

Converting a router to an access point offers several benefits, enhancing usability. It achieves the following:

  • Extends internet connection to devices further away, expanding the coverage range of the wireless network.

  • Utilizes an old router, which may have degraded performance over time, effectively by converting it into an access point.

  • Provides better organization for wireless communications, especially in networks with multiple devices or complex setups.

Converting a router to an access point involves changing router settings, including the IP address, and connecting it to the main network through a LAN port. This process applies to most router types, but some routers may have different settings.