RF coverage throughout a facility is of prime concern for companies deploying wireless LANs, and the antenna plays a vital role. If you ignore the antenna, then the access point may not attain maximum effective range. This can be a costly mistake. An effective antenna solution increases the range and corresponding coverage of a wireless LAN, which decreases costs because of fewer access points.

Access points, which require interconnecting cabling, generally play a dominate role for providing radio frequency (RF)  coverage in most wireless LAN (WLAN) deployments. Wireless repeaters, though, are an alternative way to extend the range of an existing WLAN instead of adding more access points. There are very few stand-alone 802.11 wireless repeaters on the market, but some access points have a built-in repeater mode. Here's the basic information you need to know when using wireless repeaters.

Access points are by far the primary components in wireless LAN infrastructures. The 802.11 standard defines an access point as a communication hub for users of a wireless device to connect to a wired distribution system, such as an Ethernet network. Access points also play a major role in providing better wireless security and control of users in the shared radio environment.

By definition, a router transfers packets between networks. The router chooses the next best link to send packets on in order to reach closer to the destination. Routers use Internet Protocol (IP) packet headers and routing tables, as well as internal protocols to determine the best path for each packet. Most routers connect a LAN (like the one in your home or office) to a WAN (like the cable system running your cable modem) by interfacing a broadband modem to the network within the enterprise, small office, or home.