Access point or router?

Question

Hello,

I currently have a Freebox Revolution fiber connection.
I would like to "replace" the outdated Freebox Wi-Fi with a Wi-Fi that meets the latest standards, that is, AC (or AX), tri-band & Mu-MIMO.
I also have a PC in the cloud (Shadow) currently connected via Ethernet to the Freebox, but I would like to switch it to Wi-Fi. So I need a Wi-Fi that performs much better than what my Freebox currently offers.
Knowing that I want to keep the TV functionalities of the Freebox Player at the same time.

I see 2 solutions for this:

1 - A Wi-Fi access point
I turn off the Wi-Fi on the Freebox, and connect a Wi-Fi access point via Ethernet.
That seems to be the simplest solution.
But it seems to me that "simple" access points are no longer available. From my research, it appears that manufacturers mainly offer Wi-Fi routers. So, I need a router that has an option to switch to a simple access point mode.
The downside is that it requires buying a router that could be quite expensive, just to use it as a simple access point.

2 - A Wi-Fi router in cascade behind the Freebox
I turn off the Wi-Fi on the Freebox, and connect a router via Ethernet. I keep the Freebox & the router in router mode, which creates 2 networks. I follow the tutorial available here to maintain the functions of the Freebox Player (last paragraph): https://le-routeur-wifi.com/freebox-routeur-tiers-et-services/

However, since I am not a network specialist, what I struggle to grasp is the impact on network performance between these 2 solutions. The number one criterion for me would be network performance, especially in terms of my devices' connection to the internet. What will be the difference between these 2 solutions when one of my devices connects to the internet (in routing & data processing) and which solution would be the most performant?

I specify that in both cases, all my devices would be connected to the new access point or router.

Can someone enlighten me on the functioning of these 2 possible solutions?

Configuration: Windows / Firefox 71.0

brupala · Accepted Answer

Hi,
I don't really see the connection with the Freebox player, which is always connected via Ethernet or PLC, regardless.
The main difference between an access point and a router is that we will have one or two IP networks, which is important for sharing resources within the network.
I don't see the point of putting the Freebox in bridge mode if we want to keep the TV services; it's more for those who don't care about TV and phone and only use Free's internet.
You can find very good access points that are not routers, but you can also configure a router as an access point if it's just for its WiFi.

--
and ... There you go!

jee pee · Answer

Hello,

Like you, the Wi-Fi from the Freebox (mini 4K) seemed insufficient to me, even though I'm still on ADSL, but with a local network of several machines and multiple NAS, I opted for an AC router in access point mode. This gives me Wi-Fi at 866 Mbps locally, but the router management (notably DHCP) is still handled by the Freebox, allowing the TV player (via powerline adapter) to remain on the Freebox network without any special configuration. This seemed to me to be the simplest solution.

Best regards

F-MATH · Answer

Good evening,

Thank you for your feedback.


I don't quite see the connection with the Freebox player, which is always connected via Ethernet or powerline anyway.

The connection is in the case where you add a router behind the Freebox. You then have to either put the Freebox in bridge mode to keep only the added router, but you lose the TV functions of the Freebox player. Or you keep the routing function of the Freebox, but you then need to properly configure the router behind it, which indeed creates two networks.


The main difference between an access point and a router is that we will have either one or two IP networks, which is important for sharing resources on the network.

Yes, no problem, I understand what it implies in terms of resource sharing: what is connected to the Freebox will not be visible to what is connected behind the second router. But in my case, no problem: only the TV box will be connected to the Freebox, the rest would be behind the second router/access point.

But what I have difficulty understanding between the case of "Freebox + 2nd router" or "Freebox + access point" is how the data will be processed through the different devices for a computer connecting to the internet. Will this affect the internet connection performance of the PC? What would be the best configuration?


Like you, the Wi-Fi from the Freebox (mini 4K) seemed insufficient to me, even though I am still on ADSL, but with a local network of several machines and multiple NAS, I opted for an AC router in access point mode. This allows me Wi-Fi at 866 Mbps locally, but the router management (notably DHCP) is still handled by the Freebox, allowing the TV player (via powerline) to remain on the Freebox network without specific settings. It seemed like the simplest solution to me.

Ok, thank you for the feedback.

F-MATH

Access point or router?

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