An access point (abbreviated AP) is similar to a hub used in Ethernet networking, but using wireless technologies. It acts as a more powerful transceiver than are used in PC and laptop NICs.
Acting as a hub, they provide a shared multipoint circuit (the bandwidth of the single outgoing node is divided up by all client nodes connected to the hub). Compare hub with switch, which provides a series of point-to-point circuits allowing the possibility of full-duplex operation.
