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What’s a Wireless Access Point (WAP)?

A wireless access point (WAP) is a Layer 2 network device that enables wireless clients to connect to a wired network infrastructure. Unlike a wireless router, a WAP does not perform routing functions and operates within a single collision domain.

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About this video

A wireless access point (WAP) is a Layer 2 networking device that enables wireless clients to connect to an existing wired network infrastructure. In a typical deployment, a WAP sits alongside switches and routers, extending network access to devices that cannot connect via a physical cable. It does not perform routing functions, which distinguishes it from a wireless router and makes it suitable for specific roles within a larger network architecture. One key characteristic of a WAP is that all connected wireless clients share the same collision domain, which contrasts with how a managed switch operates. A switch segments traffic into separate collision domains, allowing multiple devices to transmit simultaneously without interference. On a WAP, however, simultaneous transmissions result in collisions, and as the number of connected devices grows, collision frequency increases and overall throughput declines. This behavior is more analogous to a hub than a switch and is an important factor when sizing and planning wireless infrastructure. Understanding the distinction between a WAP and a wireless router is essential for correct network design. A wireless router integrates both Layer 2 access point capabilities and Layer 3 routing functions, making it appropriate for scenarios where wireless clients also need traffic routed between networks. Using one device in place of the other can introduce connectivity issues or architectural inefficiencies, so selecting the correct device for the intended role is a fundamental principle in building reliable networks.

What you'll learn

Distinguish between a wireless access point and a wireless router in terms of function and OSI layer operation
Explain how collision domains affect wireless access point performance in networks with multiple connected devices

What's covered

Wireless Access Point

Basic Function
- Connects Devices Wirelessly
- Provides Network Access
Network Role
- Works With Switch
- Works With Router
- Layer 2 Device
Collision Domain Behavior
- Acts Like a Hub
- Single Collision Domain
- Too Many Devices Problematic
WAP vs Wireless Router
- Router Adds Routing Function
- Not Interchangeable

Aligned to

CompTIA Network+

1.2 Compare and contrast networking appliances, applications, and functions.

1.1 Explain concepts related to the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model.

2.3 Given a scenario, select and configure wireless devices and technologies.

CompTIA A+ Core 1

2.2 Compare and contrast common networking hardware.

Cisco CCNA

1.1 Explain the role and function of network components

1.13 Describe switching concepts

1.11 Describe wireless principles

Key terms

Wireless Access Point: A device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi.
Router: A network device that forwards data packets between networks based on IP addresses.
Collision Domain: A network segment where data packets can collide with each other when transmitted simultaneously.
Data Link Layer: Layer 2 of the OSI model responsible for node-to-node data transfer and error detection on a single network segment.
Wireless Router: A network device that combines the functions of a wireless access point and a router, providing both wireless connectivity and routing between networks.

Transcript

This is a wireless access point. It allows devices to connect to the network. So does a wireless router, but a wireless router is different.

What a Wireless Access Point Does

In this network right here, we have a router that connects this network to the outside world. We have a switch that interconnects all of these devices, and so all these devices are connected into this switch. But we also have computers that want to access the network wirelessly. So a wireless access point allows this computer to connect to the wireless and gain access to the rest of the network. That's what a wireless access point does.

It Acts Like a Hub

One thing to note about a wireless access point is it acts more like a hub than it does a switch. A switch allows multiple devices to talk at the same time because you have different collision domains. However, with a wireless access point, it's all part of the same collision domain. So they can become problematic if you have too many devices trying to talk to the same access point, and then there's going to be more collisions that happen on this network.

Not a Wireless Router

The other thing to note is a wireless access point is not a wireless router. A wireless router acts as an access point and a router. So you wouldn't want to use a wireless access point where you wanted to use a wireless router, and vice versa - you wouldn't want to use a wireless router where you wanted to use a wireless access point.

A wireless access point is considered layer 2. That is, it's processing at the layer 2 level. The communication that happens is a little more complex than just a simple repeater or something simple at layer one.

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