What is a device that allows you to connect two or more networks in either wired or wireless connection?

Ethernet and wireless networks each have advantages and disadvantages; depending on your needs, one may serve you better than the other. Wired networks provide users with plenty of security and the ability to move lots of data very quickly. Wired networks are typically faster than wireless networks, and they can be very affordable. However, the cost of Ethernet cable can add up -- the more computers on your network and the farther apart they are, the more expensive your network will be. In addition, unless you're building a new house and installing Ethernet cable in the walls, you'll be able to see the cables running from place to place around your home, and wires can greatly limit your mobility. A laptop owner, for example, won't be able to move around easily if his computer is tethered to the wall.

There are three basic systems people use to set up wired networks. An Ethernet system uses either a twisted copper-pair or coaxial-based transport system. The most commonly used cable for Ethernet is a category 5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable -- it's useful for businesses who want to connect several devices together, such as computers and printers, but it's bulky and expensive, making it less practical for home use. A phone line, on the other hand, simply uses existing phone wiring found in most homes, and can provide fast services such as DSL. Finally, broadband systems provide cable Internet and use the same type of coaxial cable that gives us cable television.

If you plan to connect only two computers, all you'll need is a network interface card (NIC) in each computer and a cable to run between them. If you want to connect several computers or other devices, you'll need an additional piece of equipment: an Ethernet router. You'll also need a cable to connect each computer or device to the router.

Once you have all of your equipment, all you need to do is install it and configure your computers so they can talk to one another. Exactly what you need to do depends on the type of network and your existing hardware. For example, if your computers came with network cards already installed, all you'll need to do is buy a router and cables and configure your computers to use them. Regardless of which type you select, the routers, adapters and other hardware you buy should come with complete setup instructions.

The steps you'll need to take to configure your computers will also vary based on your hardware and your operating system. User manuals usually provide the necessary information, and Web sites dedicated to specific operating systems often have helpful tips on getting several different computers to talk to each other.

Next, we'll examine the advantages and disadvantages of wireless networks.

When comparing a wireless access point vs. a router, several distinct differences start to emerge. While both devices support wireless network connectivity and may perform similar roles, the two devices are more like cousins than twins.

For a new Wi-Fi architecture, the choice between a wireless AP and router depends on key factors, like the physical size of the network, the needs of the organization and the total number of Wi-Fi users. In general, multiple APs can better meet the demands of large organizations and enterprises.

On the other hand, wireless routers often make more sense for small businesses and residential homes, as they package the functionality of two wireless devices -- a standalone AP and an Ethernet wired router -- in a single physical appliance. It's worth noting we can consider a wireless router an AP, but an AP can never be a router.

Keep reading to learn more about the differences between a wireless access point and router and how to choose between the two, depending on your individual network needs for wireless coverage.

What is a wireless access point?

A standalone wireless AP is a physical appliance that adds Wi-Fi capability to an existing wired network by bridging traffic from a group of wireless workstations onto an adjacent, wired LAN. Conceptually, an AP is like an Ethernet hub, but instead of relaying LAN frames only to other 802.3 stations, an AP relays 802.11 frames to all other 802.11 or 802.3 stations in the same subnet.

The vast majority of enterprises and other organizations require the use of more than one AP. Multiple APs spread out over a network enable the Wi-Fi to keep up with demand across a large physical space and a significant number of end-user connected devices, as each additional AP offers another location where users can connect -- thus expanding network coverage and availability. Strategically placed APs throughout an office can help enhance wireless networks by servicing dead spots, or areas with weak Wi-Fi signals.

In such an environment, the group of APs works with a separate Ethernet router -- in this case, not a wireless router -- that acts as a gateway. The router sends data back and forth between two or more packet-switched computer networks, such as a LAN and the internet, while the APs connect end-user devices to the LAN.

What is a wireless router?

A wireless router is a two-in-one appliance. It combines the functionality of a wireless AP -- connecting a group of wireless stations to an adjacent wired network -- with the capabilities of an Ethernet router, which forwards IP packets between the wireless subnet and any other subnet.

In other words, it can both connect end-user clients to the LAN and act as the gateway between the LAN and internet.

Wireless routers also have basic firewall functionality, using Network Address Translation to share one IP address across several wireless stations. Most wireless routers also include a four-port Ethernet switch, so you can connect a few wired personal computers to your LAN via Ethernet cable and let them share internet access, too. Most wireless routers combine the functionality of a wireless AP, an Ethernet router, a basic firewall and a small Ethernet switch.

While a wireless router can be considered a wireless AP -- in the sense that it contains AP capabilities -- a wireless AP cannot be a wireless router. That's why an environment with multiple standalone APs also needs a separate router to act as the gateway between the LAN and the internet.

Key differences between wireless access points and wireless routers

Routers can serve either wired or wireless connectivity for several end-user devices, while an AP mainly serves wireless devices, such as phones, laptops and tablets. Essentially, an AP brings wireless capability to a wired network. A router combines features of an AP with capabilities of a broadband router -- connecting the LAN and the internet.

Typically, wireless routers serve residential homes and small organizations, where a single device that combines AP and routing functionality can readily meet the relatively modest user demand. A wireless router can't efficiently scale to reflect escalating network needs, however, making it ill suited for wireless LANs (WLANs) that anticipate significant growth.

Instead, wireless APs are used in larger businesses and venues, which require many APs to provide service -- for example, to cover an extensive physical area or to support thousands of users. As demand grows, network managers can add additional APs, resulting in more scalable designs than wireless routers would enable.

In larger WLANs, it usually makes sense to have several APs feeding into a single, separate router. Wireless stations can then be treated as one large subnet, which is helpful when a user is roaming from one AP to another. Another benefit of this model is wireless access controls can be concentrated at one router instead of spread across several independent routers, enabling more efficient and effective network management.

Networking doesn't work without the physical and virtual devices that make up the network infrastructure.

Network architecture varies based on size, network topology, workloads and business requirements, among other factors. For example, an enterprise network might require hundreds or thousands of various network devices to support and build out its data center, LAN and WAN. In contrast, a simple home network might need only two devices.

Below are eight common types of network devices -- excluding load balancers and firewalls -- that are typically found within networks.

1. Access point

An access point (AP) is a device that sends and receives data wirelessly over radio frequencies, using 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands. Clients, such as laptops or mobile phones, connect to an AP using a wireless signal, enabling them to join the wireless LAN created by the AP. An Ethernet cable physically connects the AP to a router or switch in a wired LAN, which provides the AP with access to the internet and the rest of the network.

When deploying APs, wireless teams must consider factors like location, attenuation and channel interference, all of which can affect signal strength. Typically, engineers mount APs on ceilings or walls to maximize signal coverage and minimize potential obstacles.

APs operate at Layer 2 of the OSI model -- the data link layer.

2. Bridge

A network bridge acts as an interconnection between two or more LANs, essentially creating a single domain from separate LANs. In this way, a bridge is different than a router, which enables communication among different networks but considers them discrete systems.

A bridge aggregates the partitioned network segments and controls traffic that moves between them. A transparent bridge interconnects LANs that use the same protocol suite, while a translation bridge joins LANs that use different protocols.

Bridge devices have switching capabilities, with which they forward incoming data frames by examining media access control (MAC) addresses. With each frame it receives, a bridge builds a lookup table of MAC addresses and port locations. The bridge references this table to determine whether to forward a frame along or discard it, which happens when a MAC address is not within the bridge's domain.

Bridges are no longer commonly used within enterprise network designs and are typically replaced by switches.

A bridge operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model.

3. Gateway

A gateway is a network node that connects discrete networks or systems that use different protocols, enabling data to flow between the networks. Gateways use multiple protocols and translate an incoming packet's information and protocol to make it compatible with the destination environment. After a gateway processes the data packet, it typically forwards it on to a router, which sends the packet toward its destination within the network.

Types of gateways include routers, web application firewalls and email security gateways. Gateways are also frequently used within IoT and cloud environments.

Gateways can operate at any layer of the OSI model.

4. Hub

A hub is a physical device used to join multiple devices on the same LAN. For example, a laptop, desktop computer and printer can connect into a hub's ports with Ethernet cables and be part of the same local network. Unlike a bridge, router or switch, a hub broadcasts messages it receives from one port to all remaining ports without examining the frames or isolating the message for the intended destination.

A hub must connect to a router or switch in order to communicate outside its LAN. Hub devices can also connect to each other to expand the overall network.

A hub can be active, passive or intelligent. Active hubs act as repeaters to boost or repair the signal of an incoming message before they broadcast it to the rest of the ports. Passive hubs do not boost message signals, simply providing connectivity for devices on its ports. Intelligent hubs have management and monitoring capabilities to identify potential issues with connected devices.

A hub operates at Layer 1 of the OSI model -- the physical layer.

5. Modem

The main purpose of a modem is to modulate and demodulate -- or convert -- signals between devices, such as analog to digital. Nowadays, the most common type of modem is an internet modem, which facilitates internet access by receiving signals from an ISP and converting them into a format that connected devices can use, such as radio or digital signals.

A modem typically connects to a router, which receives internet access from the modem and sends it to other devices on the network. Modems can use Ethernet cable, DSL, fiber or wireless mediums for connectivity. ISPs frequently provide modems that have combined routing and firewalling capabilities.

Depending on the type, a modem operates at Layer 1 or Layer 2 of the OSI model.

6. Repeater

A repeater strengthens a signal and resends it to its destination. Repeaters are used to combat attenuation, bypass interference and extend the range of a signal. They are commonly used within wireless networks but also work with fiber optics, telephones and TV broadcasting, among others.

While a hub boosts signals for multiple devices connected to its ports, a simple repeater has only two ports -- one for incoming signals and one for outgoing signals.

A repeater operates at Layer 1 of the OSI model.

7. Router

A router directs data requests from one network to another. Routers examine incoming packets to determine the appropriate destination IP address and then forward the packet to that destination. A router can also enable internet access through its connection to a modem, or as a combined modem-router.

As with a bridge, routers maintain and use routing tables that contain route information, such as IP addresses and interfaces. Once a router inspects a packet, it refers to the routing table to find the best path toward the destination. Routers use routing protocols to communicate and exchange data.

Types of routers typically used in enterprise networks include the following:

• edge routers
• core routers
• distribution routers
• wireless routers

A router operates at Layer 3 of the OSI model -- the network layer.

8. Switch

A network switch forwards data to its destination by examining an incoming frame's MAC address and sending it to the device with the matching address.

Devices connect into a switch's ports usually via an Ethernet cable. The switch stores those devices' MAC addresses in an address table it uses as a reference when transferring frames. While a router forwards data to an IP address or network, a switch sends the information directly to the specific destination port.

Unlike a hub, which shares bandwidth among all its ports, a switch allocates bandwidth for each port. Switches are also more intelligent than hubs, as they examine an incoming frame's MAC address.

Switches are available in the following types:

• unmanaged switches
• managed switches
• smart switches
• Layer 2 switches
• Layer 3 switches
• Power over Ethernet switches
• fixed switches
• stackable switches
• modular switches

A traditional switch operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model. Layer 3 switches operate at the network layer and transfer packets based on the destination IP address.