What is Access Point and How to Configure Wireless Access Point?

Acting as a central transmitter and receiver of WLAN radio signals with functions of sending and receiving signals to any number of other, local wireless devices, an access point is different from a wireless router, for it does not have a firewall and therefore is not appropriate to protect your local network against threats from the Internet. Through a basic wireless setup may not have an access point, but just a router (or a modem) and an adapter, an access point plays a very important role in the whole network. It extends the coverage within your network — it's put in a "dead spot", a place that's distant from the router, perhaps in a different room, or on a different floor.

Generally speaking, there are two types of wireless access points Intelligent/thick and thin wireless Access points. A thick wireless access point has everything it needs to handle wireless clients (Can operate stand-alone; Does not need a controller; Can be managed directly; Traffic bridged straight into network port). A Thin wireless access point is basically a radio and antenna that is controlled by a wireless switch. If you deploy several thick wireless access points they need to be configured individually. With thin wireless access points the entire configuration takes place at the switch saving you time and money.

Of course, access points used in home or small business networks are generally small, dedicated hardware devices featuring a built-in network adapter, antenna, and radio transmitter. Meanwhile, access points support Wi-Fi wireless communication standards.

Now, let’s share the steps of configuring an access point.

Wholly, there are 3 steps to complete, checking the Wireless MAC Address of an Access Point;

Setting-Up Access Point Client Mode on the WAP54G; and changing the LAN IP Address of the Access Point Client. But how to operate these steps one by one?  

1. Connect an Ethernet cable on the wireless access point (into the "Uplink" or "Internet" port of the router).

2. Type "192.168.1.1," "192.168.0.1," and/or "192.168.2.1." to open the administrator portal to your wireless access point. (Some access points will automatically open to the page for you to manage information. If not, the exact IP address is provided in instructions.

3. Enter your login and password. (Many routers have a default password in the instructions; it is highly recommended that you change this default login and password).

4. Turn on wireless connectivity typically turned off by default with enabling wireless access.

5. Create a SSID (Service Set Identifier). This is the name your wireless access point will broadcast. (It is also recommended that you change the default SSID to something you recognize).

6. Select the type of encryption you want. You can choose WEP, WPA, and/or WPA2. Assign a strong password for security purposes and apply your new configuration.

7. Open a laptop computer and your wireless connection manager in the system tray. You will see your SSID broadcasting. Choose your SSID, type your password, and browse the Internet.

Now, you have successfully configured a wireless access point. Through every new device has instructions to follow, with these concise tips, you will understand and configure the access point more easily.  This article is referred to:

www.ehow.com/how_6002540_configure-wireless-access-points.html