What's the difference between wireless access point,extender, bridge etc?

vertical_fool

Hi all.

I'm looking to get the signal from a flat who would be my next door neighbour but their on the floor below. So I need to boost the signal to get it to my pc in the bedroom, the lounge bay window should be fine although I haven't checked yet. I've come across different hardware titles but I don;t know whether they are the same, can be the same....

So is there any difference between wireless access points ,extenders, bridges or any other name? If there different what are the similarities?

Thanks

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Little_John

An access point is a wireless box that gives a network wireless capabilities. similar to a router but they don't have any modem facility in them.

A bridge is a function of a wireless access point (AP), you can configure it to connect to an existing AP and extends your wireless network.

an extender I will expect to be another name for a bridge. again it will probably be an AP with bridge facility.

vertical_fool

So how would a network adaptor feature in that equation such as this one here

Could this be classed as a access point?

Thanks

Vertical

vertical_fool

Think I'll go for this one unless someone suggests differently.

Thanks

Vertical

DanRogl

I'm confused a little (happens too often these days!).. does the flat down stairs have an Access Point already? If it's underneath you then I doubt that there's much need for an extender, atm I've got my AP downstairs and I get an excellent signal as well as detecting 3 other AP's in neighbouring houses. One thing to remember is that even if the signal isn't excellent the sharing of the internet won't be affected as a wireless network connection of 12mb is more than enough to share a 2-8mb internet connection.

For a wireless network you'll need 2 pieces of hardware, an Access Point and a Wireless Network Adaptor. When it comes to sharing an internet connection things get a little more complicated, as you need a router (a device that connects two networks together, Your ISP being one network and your HOME being the other) which will allow people to share an internet connection. IF the neighbours already have a wireless network and are letting you connect the best thing to-do would be to buy a Wireless Adaptor and see what the signal is like.

Hope that makes sense, it's late and I'm trying to get sleep after finishing nights this morning! :-)

Definitions (stolen! from here):

• Access Point - A wireless access point connects a group of wireless devices to an adjacent wired LAN. An access point is similar to an ethernet hub, relaying data between connected wireless devices in addition to a (usually) single connected wired device, most often an ethernet hub or switch, allowing wireless devices to communicate with other wired devices.
• Adapter - A wireless adapter allows a device to connect to a wireless network. These adapters connect to devices using various interconnects such as PCI, miniPCI, USB, ExpressCard, and PCMCIA.
• Router - A wireless router integrates a WAP, ethernet switch, and internal Router firmware application that provides IP Routing, NAT, and DNS forwarding through an integrated WAN interface. A wireless router allows wired and wireless ethernet LAN devices to connect to a (usually) single WAN device such as cable modem or DSL modem. A wireless router allows all three devices (mainly the access point and router) to be configured through one central utility. This utility is most usually an integrated web server which serves web pages to wired and wireless LAN clients and often optionally to WAN clients. This utility may also be an application that is run on a desktop computer such as Apple's AirPort.
• Bridge - A wireless Ethernet bridge connects a wired network to a wireless network. This is different from an access point in the sense that an access point connects wireless devices to a wired network at the data-link layer. Two wireless bridges may be used to connect two wired networks over a wireless link, useful in situations where a wired connection may be unavailable, such as between two separate homes.
• Extender - A wireless range extender or wireless repeater can extend the range of an existing wireless network. Range extenders can be strategically placed to elongate a signal area or allow for the signal area to reach around barriers such as those created in L-shaped corridors. Wireless devices connected through repeaters will suffer from an increased latency for each hop. Additionally, a wireless device at the end of chain of wireless repeaters will have a throughput that is limited by the weakest link within the repeater chain.

DanRogl

Try the blow links to see what each bit of kit looks like, poss not the best priced place but has decent categories for things!
Access Points
Adapters
Routers

The router I've got is this, and the Adapter is integrated into my laptop. There isn't many places that sell devices that are specific bridges, this is because most basic Access Points can be configured to be used in either as an Access Point or a Bridge.

vertical_fool

The flat downstairs allready has a wireless router ( The BT one where the phone docks into it). I can't pick up a signal in my back bedroom but from my lounge window if I theoretically could look out a bit further then I would be almost be able to see theirs. I therefore expect to receive an excellant signal from there although I haven't checked. So if I put something there that would then boost the signal then I'd hope I'd be able to pick it up in my back bedroom. I don't think there is any alternative to using the extender (I'm not quite sure how the bridge works yet). I may just be able to use a laptop in my living room, I hope to check this tomorrow and then maybe a usb adaptor on a long lead for updates to my desktop in the back bedroom.

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superscaper

vertical_fool wrote: »

The flat downstairs allready has a wireless router ( The BT one where the phone docks into it). I can't pick up a signal in my back bedroom but from my lounge window if I theoretically could look out a bit further then I would be almost be able to see theirs. So I put something there that would then boost the signal then I'd hope I'd be able to pick it up in my back bedroom. I don't think there is any alternative to using the extender (I'm not quite sure how the bridge works yet).

Vertical

Could your neighbours move it to a better position?

espresso

superscaper wrote: »

Could your neighbours move it to a better position?

Or simply change the orientation of the aerial to radiate the signal up toward your flat. i.e. it is most probably sending the signal across the street at the moment.

xplo5iv

or both use aerials with greater gain, e.g. 9db

vertical_fool

Could your neighbours move it to a better position?

I'll have to wait and see if I can get them to put it on their window sill?

I'd thought about the aerials although I don't really want to interfere with their hardware at all. So I think that leaves me with the extender?

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