Re: Why are wireless routers cheaper than APs? in Wireless Networking http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20457458 en Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:56:43 EDT Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:56:43 EDT Re: Why are wireless routers cheaper than APs? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20457458 seanSF : Brilliant. Thanks. You just saved me some cash. :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20457458 Fri, 09 May 2008 14:26:33 EDT Re: Why are wireless routers cheaper than APs? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20457451 No_Strings : Ah, OK. Even simpler. Any old wireless router will suffice. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20457451 Fri, 09 May 2008 14:25:09 EDT Re: Why are wireless routers cheaper than APs? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20457436 seanSF : Ok, that's what I had up until last night. It was:


WAN -> Cable Modem -> D-Link DI-604 -> Wired LAN
                          |
                          --> D-Link DI-624 -> Wireless LAN


The DI-604 is just a wired router. The DI-624 is (er, was) a wireless router with the DHCP, firewall, etc., settings turned off.

I don't really need the wired LAN ports on the back of the DI-624 so I thought that an AP would be a better bet. But it sounds like I'd be paying more but not getting more.

(Actually, to be exact, the DI-624 and the wired LAN both hang off of a D-Link gigabit switch.)
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20457436 Fri, 09 May 2008 14:21:26 EDT Re: Why are wireless routers cheaper than APs? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20457394 No_Strings : Not in my view. If I understand what you want to do, just make sure the device is capable of acting as a client bridge - extending the wireless signal to the other wired segment.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20457394 Fri, 09 May 2008 14:12:36 EDT Re: Why are wireless routers cheaper than APs? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20457192 seanSF : Would there be any benefit of going with a WAP54G? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20457192 Fri, 09 May 2008 13:36:18 EDT Re: Why are wireless routers cheaper than APs? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20456899 No_Strings : Volume is probably the simplest answer. Some APs have features not common in routers, but that's a small factor, I think. If you sell a million of something, chances are your manufacturing costs will be lower than if you sell three. The other factor is the market. Businesses are more often users of APs than consumers. That drives up the price.

Cheap AP is a router with DHCP turned off. A WRT54G that will accept third party firmware or one that will work as a client or bridge should also meet your needs. ZyXEL P330W.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20456899 Fri, 09 May 2008 12:44:55 EDT Why are wireless routers cheaper than APs? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20456762 seanSF : There is a question that has always bothered me and I have yet to find a good answer (not that I've looked that hard but still): Why are wireless routers much cheaper than access points? Last night, my wireless router turned access point died and the question has been more interesting. I can buy a router for around $50 but most access points are twice that.

Why?

All I need is a way to access my hard-wired network from my laptop and a wireless music server. It would seem that an AP does less than a router, so why does it cost more?

Also, got any recommendations for a good, reliable, relatively inexpensive AP? :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20456762 Fri, 09 May 2008 12:13:19 EDT