Theme: Organization of work of local networks. Networking by domain structure. Contents

Wireless access points

Wireless access points are devices that have both switch and router functionality.  The devices that connect wirelessly to the access point all behave as if they were on a single wired LAN, even though there are no wires involved.  When a wirelessly-connected device sends a message to a device on the organization’s wired network, the wireless access point assumes router functionality, helping its wireless client find and direct traffic to the target device.

There are a number of wireless protocols used in the communication between the wireless device and the wireless access point from the simplest, least secure Wireless Encryption Protocol ("WEP") to the more secure WiFi Protected Access 2 protocol ("WPA2").  Always use WPA2 if you have the chance to choose it for your environment, since wireless signals can be viewed by anyone using an inexpensive electronic eavesdropping device.