whats the difference bet a "router" and an "access point"?

Question

i need to wirelessly share my internet to ther rooms in the house, I already have a network hub connected to the broadband modem.
The Question:
Do I need a wireless router? or Just an access point to connect to the Hub?
whats the difference? is the router faster? (considering Access points is cheaper with the same speed ratings)

Answer 1

a router hides your ip address from other computers acting like a firewall and gives you more physical locations to plug ethernet cables into so that many computers can share one internet connection.
An access point makes the router "wireless" so that the computers do not have to be connected directly to the router.

The cable or dsl modem plugs into the router. If there is a computer near it, go ahead and plug that computer directly into the router, if you don't have a wireless router then you connect the wireless access point to the router. If you have a wireless router you do not need a wireless access point.

Answer 2

And access point is just a device that repeats and adds strenght to the signal, but it doesn't handles the traffic over the network, its like an "antena".
A wireless router is a hardware device that optimices the wireless signal and the traffic of data on the network, it also manipulates protocols to enhace the network, of course it is better , but seems like you can work fine with just the access point, because you are not designing a big network.

Answer 3

an access point is an extension of the router ... the router is an access point if its wireless, and can feed to another access point for better coverage.

based on the size of your house, the number of walls and floors between the PC's and the wireless router, you may need an additional access point to extend your range to reach other rooms with a good signal

Answer 4

You will probably pay more for an access point to add to your hub and do the same job. Use a wireless router and sell your hub.

Answer 5

You need a wireless router