Question 8WLAN access points act as a ___ between wireless and wired networks. 1 pointSwitchGatewayRouterBridge

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the role of WLAN access points in network architecture.
2. Understand the options provided: Switch, Gateway, Router, Bridge.
3. Determine which option best fits the role of WLAN access points.

Relevant Concepts

• WLAN Access Points (APs): Devices that allow wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi.
• Switch: Connects multiple devices on a single network.
• Gateway: Acts as a "gate" between two networks, often converting between different protocols.
• Router: Connects multiple networks and routes data between them.
• Bridge: Connects and filters traffic between two network segments, often in a local area network (LAN).

Analysis and Detail

1. WLAN access points primarily serve as a bridge between the wireless clients and the wired network infrastructure.
2. They translate wireless signals into wired signals and vice versa, enabling communication between devices on different types of networks.

Verify and Summarize

Upon reviewing the options:

• A switch typically operates within a single network.
• A gateway connects different network protocols but is not specifically the term for WLAN.
• A router connects multiple networks but does not solely function as the intermediary between a wireless and a wired network.
• A bridge specifically refers to the task of connecting two different network types effectively.

Thus, the most accurate designation for WLAN access points is as a bridge.

Final Answer

Bridge