An access point is a device that creates a wireless local area network (WLAN) by connecting wireless devices to a wired network. An access point performs two main functions: bridging and wireless connectivity.
Bridging is the process of forwarding data frames between different networks or network segments. An access point bridges wireless frames from wireless devices to the wired network, and vice versa, using the destination MAC address of the frame. This allows wireless devices to communicate with other devices on the same network or on different networks.
Wireless connectivity is the process of providing a wireless signal to wireless devices, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc. An access point offers wireless connectivity to endpoints by broadcasting a service set identifier (SSID), which is the name of the wireless network. Wireless devices can scan for available SSIDs and connect to the access point by providing the correct security credentials, such as a password or a certificate.
The other statements are false because:
A. They use destination IP addresses to switch the packets. This is false because access points do not use IP addresses to switch packets. IP addresses are used at layer three of the OSI model, which is the network layer. Access points operate at layer two of the OSI model, which is the data link layer. Access points use MAC addresses to switch frames, not packets.
C. They are used to interconnect wireless devices only. This is false because access points are not used to interconnect wireless devices only. Access points are also used to connect wireless devices to a wired network, which may contain other devices, such as routers, switches, servers, etc.
E. They only operate at Layer three of the OSI model. This is false because access points do not operate at layer three of the OSI model, which is the network layer. Access points operate at layer two of the OSI model, which is the data link layer. Access points do not use network layer protocols, such as IP, to perform their functions. References:
What is an Access Point? - Cisco
Access Point | What is it and how it works?IAPP specification
