Enterprise networks are generally a lot more complex than this.
They will have dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of routers.
There will be many more servers and computers than the number of routers.
Even though enterprise routers offer more ethernet ports than your home router, they still lack many connection ports.
To provide enough connectivity, switches are used.
Switches are generally how most servers are connected in a data center.
This works excellently as the switches and servers are in proximity, requiring minimal cabling.
This doesnt work with the office computers employees use, though.
You cant just run hundreds of long ethernet cables around an office directly to devices.
Instead, a more managed architecture will be designed.
Eventually, passing by every desk.
At each desk, youll have a wired access point.
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Wired Access Points
Wired access points are simple things.
They often look like small square boxes with angled sides.
Though some offer more, theyll generally provide one or two ethernet ports.
Most wired access points are designed to have a small spring-loaded cover across the actual ethernet ports.
A photo of a wireless access point plugged into a wired access point.
Functionally, this is all a wired access point does.
Its a box with one or more ethernet ports conveniently placed around the office.
They may be mounted on or under the desk for convenient access.
They may also be integrated within on-desk power sockets for extra convenience.
The bar contains and hides the ethernet cables used to connect the access points to the internet.
Wireless Access Points
Not all access points are wired.
To help provide better signal coverage, Wi-Fi signal repeaters are used to build a mesh internet.
These Wi-Fi repeaters are also called wireless access points.
In some cases, wireless access points may be connected to the connection by an ethernet cable.
These can still be valid wireless access points if they dont act definitively as routers.
Operating their own separate wireless connection rather than simply providing wireless access to a more extensive connection.
Some people may also refer to Wi-Fi routers as wireless access points.
This is, however, technically inaccurate.
The data pipe itself is managed by a nominally separate router.
Home routers offering integrated Wi-Fi may be considered to have integrated a wireless access point.
Access points are typically placed to ensure adequate connectivity wherever needed.
This means regular positioning of wireless access points to ensure good mesh functionality.
For wired access points, this typically means being placed at every desk in an office.
Wireless access points may be plugged into wired access points rather than configured as an actual mesh data pipe.
