Your business can’t work unless your users can connect to the internet.
Traditionally, you needed to connect to the internet with cables. This included spending time, labor, and money to run cables to each workstation.
Wireless is becoming increasingly common, and businesses can divert their investment from a traditional model to wireless options that benefit all devices.
If this is what your business is considering, you’ve likely come across suggestions for wireless-capable routers and access points to help you accomplish your connection goals.
If you work with The KR Group, we’ll generally recommend wireless access point instead of a router with wireless features.
Before we get too into the weeds on describing how these devices fit into your network, let’s define each of them.
Access Point vs. Router: Definitions
Routers and access points are both designed to direct you and your users to parts of the network you can’t access on your own.
- A router routes internet traffic. It authenticates your request and directs you to the data you’re searching for.
- An access point takes you to the data you request. You still need a router to tell you how to get there.
Think of a router as the GPS and streets you take to get somewhere, while the wireless access point is the vehicle you use to get there.
You can think of your VoIP phones for an IT example. If your network is logically segmented, a router allows the phone network to talk logically to the computer component of the network. Meanwhile, access points enable client devices to connect to either network.
As you can see, the two devices have separate functions, but before we dive into those, let’s look at the similarities and why these two can be confused.
Access Point vs. Router: What They Have in Common
The only significant similarity between these two devices is they’re both required to connect to the internet wirelessly.
Every business needs a router to direct your internet traffic between your private organization and the public internet. In most cases, your internet demands will require at least a couple of access points to provide the best wireless connectivity.
While the above statement is generally true, there are a couple of scenarios where your business may be able to use a router with wireless capabilities. We’ll talk more about how in these use cases in subsequent sections.
Access Point vs. Router: How Are They Different?
Yes, access points and routers are part of your networking strategy and help you and your users connect to the internet, but their functions are vastly different.
To help you understand how each device works in your IT environment, consider the following points:
1. An Access Point Provides Wireless Access
An access point is purposely built to provide wireless access for clients. While there may be additional features, an access point’s primary function will always be wireless connectivity.
If you’re in a wireless environment and connecting to the internet via a smartphone, tablet, laptop, television, etc., it’s likely through an access point.
In a wireless environment, a router needs an access point to connect client devices to the internet.
2. Some Access Points Are Capable of Mesh Networking
Mesh networking is another use case for access points. You can get two (or more) of them and create a link between different parts of the network.
For example, if your business operates in two buildings with a good line of sight between them, you can use an access point for mesh networking instead of having to pay for a separate internet circuit.
When you use an access point for that, all it does is provide connectivity. You still need a router to tell your internet traffic where to go after that.
3. Routers Direct Your Users Where They Need To Go
If it wasn’t clear, access points can’t route your internet traffic; that’s the router’s job.
You need a router in your network to note what part of the network you’re on and where you need to go. The router provides the fastest path to your destination.
Every time your network has to decide where your traffic is going next, that’s your router working. Your access point is the mode you use to get there.
Access Point vs. Router: What’s Right for Your Business?
When comparing access points and routers, the larger question is if you need to include both in your networking plan.
Ultimately, this decision is based on these four factors:
1. The physical size of your business
Suppose you are a small business operating in a small physical space. In that case, it is acceptable to add wireless connectivity to your network with a router or firewall that incorporates wireless technology.
Once you need more than one wireless device to provide adequate wireless coverage, you should consider redesigning your network to have wireless separate from your router or firewall.
This is because wireless-capable routers or firewalls use different controllers than wireless access points, which can cause connectivity problems.
Let’s say your wireless router provides connectivity for the back half of your office, and you cover the front half with an access point. As long as your user is only connecting wirelessly to the internet while sitting in one part of your office, there shouldn’t be any issues.
However, as soon as a user roams from the front office to the back, they’ll experience internet problems because roaming isn’t supported with two separate controllers. Your user needs to reauthenticate to the other piece of the wireless network when they travel.
This problem is especially noticeable with applications sensitive to jitter and latency, such as voice systems.
2. How many users you have
The wireless functions built into a router or firewall can’t handle many users, but access points can. Take Meraki’s access points, for example. Some of the mid and upper-range options can handle 200 clients per device.
You won’t come near that capacity with a wireless-capable router or firewall. In fact, many IT consultants – The KR Group included – will recommend you implement access points if you have more than 10 users.
3. How much bandwidth you have
Regardless of if you opt for access points or a router or firewall with wireless, you’ll need to ensure it matches your internet bandwidth. Otherwise, it can create a bottleneck of traffic, and you’ll end up paying for bandwidth you can’t use.
Additionally, if you’re looking to be a wireless first network, routing all your traffic through a firewall can pose a security risk.
When you use an access point dedicated to wireless functions, it can handle more clients and do it up to 10 times faster than wired connections offered a decade ago.
4. Your security concerns
Wireless built into your router or firewall will come with some security features, but they’re usually fundamental. So, you may be able to configure some security functions, but they’ll be limited.
The best access points come with a plethora of security controls that you can configure to meet your unique needs and grant you much more control over network traffic.
If you’re highly concerned about cybersecurity or must abide by industry security regulations (i.e., HIPAA or GLBA), wireless access points will provide better protection than a wireless router or firewall.
Planning for Your Network Needs
With all of the above information, you can determine if you’ll need a router and access points in your network.
No matter how big your office is, how many users you have, your security concerns, and your internet speed, you’ll always need a router. This is what directs you through the internet to the data you’re looking for.
If you have fewer than 10 users and a physically small office, you may be able to forego access points and instead implement a router or firewall with wireless functions.
However, this can pose security risks. You’ll also want to check the bandwidth capability to ensure it’s compatible with the rest of your network.
In most cases, you’ll also need to incorporate access points. (You can learn more about how many in this article.)
They’ll provide wireless access for dozens of clients at once, and some can create a mesh network across sites. Access points are also the best option if you have a medium-sized or larger office, higher bandwidth needs, and security concerns. Generally, we recommend Meraki access points to our customers, regardless of size. When you decide you’re ready to find the best access points for your business, download our free comparison chart on the different Meraki access point options.
