Also known as: WAP, access point, AP
A wireless access point (WAP, or just AP) is a device that lets Wi-Fi clients join a wired network, bridging their radio links onto the LAN.1
Overview
An access point broadcasts one or more named networks (SSIDs) and relays traffic between associated wireless clients and the wired side, usually plugging into a switch. Standalone APs are common in larger buildings, where several units share an SSID so devices roam seamlessly, often as a controller-managed or mesh system. Many are powered over the data cable by Power over Ethernet, simplifying mounting. In a home, the AP is typically built into the same box as the router and modem.
Where it fits
The AP is the radio edge of a wired network — the piece that actually puts Wi-Fi on the air, distinct from the routing and switching behind it. For a GopherTrunk node that must report wirelessly, a well-placed AP gives a cleaner link than a distant home router, though a wired Ethernet drop is still preferable near sensitive RF gear.
Sources
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Wireless access point — Wikipedia, on the device that bridges Wi-Fi clients onto a wired network. ↩