What device provides a connection between wireless devices and a wired network in an infrastructure-mode WLAN?

What device provides a connection between wireless devices and a wired network in an infrastructure-mode WLAN?

• A. Routers
• B. Access points
• C. Switches
• D. Gateways

Answer: (B)

In infrastructure-mode WLANs, a central access point serves as the bridge between wireless clients and the wired LAN. Wireless devices connect to the AP, which then forwards their frames onto the wired network via its Ethernet uplink. The AP provides wireless connectivity, security, and centralized management, effectively linking air traffic to the wired infrastructure. A router would route between networks and often provide NAT; a switch links wired devices within a LAN; a gateway connects networks and may perform protocol translation. So the device that provides the connection between wireless devices and the wired network is the access point.

In infrastructure-mode WLANs, a central access point serves as the bridge between wireless clients and the wired LAN. Wireless devices connect to the AP, which then forwards their frames onto the wired network via its Ethernet uplink. The AP provides wireless connectivity, security, and centralized management, effectively linking air traffic to the wired infrastructure. A router would route between networks and often provide NAT; a switch links wired devices within a LAN; a gateway connects networks and may perform protocol translation. So the device that provides the connection between wireless devices and the wired network is the access point.