Access Point / Wireless Client / Point-to-Point / Wireless Bridge (WDS) / Repeater Mode / WDS with AP / Ad-Hoc / WISP (Wireless Internet Service Provider)

Access Point Mode

(Access Point) – The Access Point mode is designed for wireless connection of laptops, desktop PCs, and PDAs to an access point. It allows the connection of wireless clients operating in Infrastructure mode.

Access Point Client / Wireless Client Mode

(Wireless Client) – The AP Client or Wireless Client mode allows an access point to act as a wireless client of another access point. Essentially, in this mode, the access point functions as a wireless network adapter. You can use this mode for data exchange between two access points. Data exchange between a wireless adapter and an access point in Access Point Client / Wireless Client mode is not possible.

Point-to-Point / Wireless Bridge (WDS)

(Point-to-Point Wireless Bridge) – The Point-to-Point / Wireless Bridge mode allows a wireless access point to exchange data with another access point that supports the point-to-point bridge mode. However, note that most manufacturers use their own proprietary settings to activate the wireless bridge mode in access points. This mode is usually used to connect equipment wirelessly between two different buildings. Wireless clients cannot exchange data with an access point in this mode. It generally works only with identical access points, as interoperability with different devices is impossible due to the lack of a standard for WDS technology.

Point-to-Multipoint / Multi-point Bridge (WDS)

(Point-to-Multipoint Wireless Bridge) – The Point-to-Multipoint / Multi-point Bridge mode is similar to the Point-to-Point / Wireless Bridge mode, except it allows the use of more than two access points. Wireless clients also cannot exchange data with an access point in this mode. It works only with identical access points.

Repeater Mode

(Repeater) – When operating in wireless repeater mode, an access point extends the range of a wireless network by repeating the signal of a remote access point. For an access point to function as a repeater for another access point, its configuration must specify the Ethernet MAC address of the remote access point. In this mode, wireless clients can exchange data with the access point. It generally works only with access points built on identical chipsets.

WDS with AP

(Wireless Distribution System) – Allows simultaneous connection of wireless clients to access points operating in Bridge (point-to-point) or Multipoint Bridge (point-to-multipoint) modes, but at the cost of reduced performance. It generally works only with identical access points.

Ad-Hoc

Used in APs and Wi-Fi adapters. In Ad-Hoc (peer-to-peer) mode, each wireless device can communicate directly with another without using an Infrastructure mode access point. In Infrastructure mode, devices operate in a client/server configuration. A wireless network consists of at least one access point connected to end wireless clients.

WISP (Wireless Internet Service Provider)

In this configuration, computers are connected to the router via standard Ethernet cables, while the router connects to the Internet service provider via Wi-Fi. In this mode, the access point searches for a network to connect to and does not accept connection attempts from other wireless devices.

Related articles: Modulation types.