Access point explained | Cisco AP modes | Free CCNA 200-301|

Access point(APs) also known as Wireless access points ( WAPs) are networking devices that allow wireless devices such as laptops, tabs or mobile phone to connect to a wired network. which include devices such as servers or printers or the connectivity to the internet.
Devices connected to AP form a network called as WLANs also known as wireless local-area networks .
WAP is One of the key component of WLAN architecture.
The wireless access point serves as the interconnection point between the WLAN and a fixed wired network.
An access point acts as a central transmitter and receiver of wireless radio signals.
Access Points works at data link layer (layer two of OSI model)
An access point is a networking hardware appliance that can come as an independent device or as a stand alone units capable of being transferred and moved anywhere.
It can also be a component of a router. Such as your home wifi router which also includes features such as switch , router , firewall, DHCP, DNS and AP feature.
WAP devices are widely used in the following environments:
* Corporate
Corporate organizations use a number of WAP devices and attach them to a traditional wired network, in order to give wireless access to the office LAN.
Within the office setup, users have the advantage of network access coupled with mobility.
Access point can handle over 60 simultaneous connections each.
* Another kind of environment where the access point are widely deployed is Hot spot
Hot spots are used for public access to the internet.
Wireless devices can access the Internet by directly connecting to the network present at these hot spots.
Hot spots can be found in hotels, airports, coffee houses, malls, and so on.
* Access points are also used at Home wireless networks
Home wireless networks use wireless routers in conjunction with broadband modems to provide wireless access within a home environment.
Access points are used for as wireless range extender extending and increasing the wireless coverage of an existing network and for increasing the number of users that can connect to it..
WAP modes
The access point can operate in different modes.The wireless network access modes are as follows:
* Local Mode
* Client Mode
* Sniffer
* SE-Connect
* Rogue Detector
* Flexconnect
* Bridge
* Monitor
Local mode
This the default mode and also known as access point mode.
In this modes, clients such as laptops, smartphones, tablets can communicate with Access  Point.
Client Mode
In this mode access point can connect to another access point as a client.
Client Mode can be used in a scenario such as: For example internet of your company is provided by a remote access point and to get internet form this remote access point to your area, you can use your access point in Client Mode.
Sniffer
Sniffer Mode is used for troubleshooting activities to monitor and analyze the wireless traffic with various tools like wireshark.
It is a passive monitoring mode
SE-Connect
In this mode you can collect information about the RF Spectrum of your wireless connection  by connecting Cisco Spectrum Expert.
Do keep in mind a LAP operating in SE-Connect mode will not be broadcasting an SSID and does service any WLAN clients. This mode is strictly used for troubleshooting purposes.
Rogue Detector
Rogue Detector Mode is the Access Point mode that is used to detect rogue devices.
This detection is done via their MAC addresses.
Flex-connect
If you do not want to use a WLC at every brach, Flex-connect mode is the mode that you should use. With this Flex-connect mode, your Access Points do not need to connect WLC always. Even if your connection is lost to WLC, then it continues to switch your traffic locally without WLC.
Bridge
In Bridge Mode, Access Points are used to connect two networks. There are two sub modes coming with Bridge mode. There are:
* Point-to-Point
* Point-to-Multipoint
With Point-to-Point Bridge Mode, we can connect the LAN of a router to a remote access-point.
With Point-to-Multipoint Bridge Mode, we can connect two LANs  with one wireless link.
Monitor
Monitor mode allows a AP to monitor all traffic received on a wireless channel.
The monitor mode works by sniffing the packets in the air without associating or linking with any access point.
An AP in Monitor Mode does not service wireless clients
A Monitor AP scans through every configured channel once every 12 seconds.
Lets take an example of Back Panel of Cisco WAP351 Wireless-N Dual Radio Access Point
on the left side you will find a power switch to power on or off the AP.
Next to the power switch you will power adaptor port.
Next to the power port we have a reset button in case if you want to factory reset it.
Then we have 5 ethernet ports which also includes POE port.
Some access point may also have a single lan port
In my next session i will be discussing about another interesting topic that is on WIRELESS LAN CONTROLLER.
#accesspoint #CCNA #wireless #AP