difference between wireless routers and wireless access point

[nimish18rocks]

Hi guys , I wanted to know the difference between wireless routers and wireless access points . I am planning to buy a cisco WAP 4400N , can you tell me if I can use this as a wireless router to connect all the computers wirelessly . If not , what else is needed . Guys i need to know desperately . Thanks

[Leo Laohoo]

Think of an AP as a switch with a radio antennae. Think of a wireless router as a router with a radio antennae.

The AP is a layer-2 only wireless switch.

If you PC's are all in the same network then a wireless AP is OK.

If you have a xDSL connecttion and want to use it to connect to your clients, then a wireless router/gateway is the way to go.

If money is no object, then I recommend a wireless router/gateway. Most wireless router/gateway has a built-in 4 (or more) port switch anyway.