The phrase “access point” refers to an object that serves as a connection or means for other devices to gain access to the Internet or other devices on the network. This “access point” can be a small device, a computer program or software, or even an area where network data can be sent and received. Access points, depending on their type, can connect one or more users. With the need for modern devices like laptops and cell phones, many homes today have hotspots for all devices to connect to the Internet. Public areas such as parks, restaurants, and shopping malls provide unsafe access points for public consumption and use.
A wireless router and an access point.
A common example of an access point is a router, a device that receives and sends data when a computer or other devices are connected to it. Earlier uses of a router required an actual cable or wired connection to connect it to a computer. A wired network was considered a nuisance, especially in schools and offices, where multiple computers must be connected to a single access point with multiple cables. All the cables took up a lot of space on the ceiling, inside the walls, and on the floor. The development and advent of a wireless access point (WAP) became the solution to this problem.
WAP is a type of access point that allows devices to connect to a network without using multiple cables. Usually with an antenna, the WAP is a small device connected to the router via a cable. Once the router and WAP are turned on, any device, such as a laptop, can have a network connection and access to the Internet as long as the device has wireless capability enabled. Homes that have WAP should always protect their networks with encryption or passwords to prevent unauthorized connections. The WAP rule is that the closer a device is to the access point, the better the connection.
Another type of access point is Bluetooth™. The difference between a WAP and a Bluetooth™ is the distance, since the latter only works over short distances. Bluetooth™ allows devices to connect, send and receive data to each other. Due to its short-range performance, Bluetooth™ can also be used in other ways, such as in a wireless headset and hands-free, wirelessly connecting external devices such as a keyboard and mouse, and even a wireless setup. .
