Access points are objects that allow devices to connect to the internet or other devices in a network. They can be small devices, software, or areas. Wireless access points (WAPs) allow devices to connect without cables, while Bluetooth works over short distances and allows devices to send and receive data.
The phrase “access point” refers to an object that serves as a connection or support for other devices to access the Internet or other devices in 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 the type, can connect one or more users. With the need for modern day devices such as laptops and cell phones, many households today have access points for all devices to connect to the internet. Public areas such as parks, restaurants, and shopping malls provide unsecured access points for public consumption and use.
A common example of an access point is a router, a device that receives and sends data when a computer or other device is connected to it. Previous uses of a router required an actual cable or wired connection connecting it to a computer. A wired network has proven to be a nuisance, especially in schools and offices, where multiple computers would have to be connected to a single access point with numerous cables. All the cables took up a lot of space on ceilings, inside walls and on floors. The development and arrival of wireless access point (WAP) has become the solution to this problem.
WAP is a type of access point that allows devices to connect to a network without the use of 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 Internet access, provided that the device has wireless functionality enabled. Homes that have WAPs should always secure their networks with an encryption or password to prevent any unauthorized connections. The rule of thumb with WAP 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 Bluetooth is distance, as the latter can only work over a short distance. Bluetooth allows devices to connect, send and receive data from each other. Thanks to its short-range performance, Bluetooth can be used in other ways as well, such as in a wireless headset and speakerphone, wireless connection of external devices such as a keyboard and mouse, and even a multiplayer gaming setup in a console of the player.
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