[mrloserskid]

what do you call a device that receives wifi then splits ethernet,
i know some routers can but does anyone know what this is called
wireless switch? or wireless repeater with switch?
thanks

[Kilorn]

Wireless access point. It acts as a switch that receives a wireless signal, then you plug ethernet cables into to split the signal to the machines you want to split it to.

[durmitt]

Actually, a wireless access point (or WAP) is typically a device which has one ethernet port for the purpose of network connectivity, then it makes that network available via WiFi. A WAP generally differs from a wireless router in that a router will have the physical switch (multiple ethernet ports) in addition to wireless connectivity, versus the WAP which solely makes wireless signal available and doesn't handle any physical ethernet routing/switching. Thus the usage of "access point" in the name--a point of accessing the network wirelessly, and not really much else.

I believe what OP is looking for is called wireless bridge, or wireless repeater with switch, often shortened and not including "with switch" (sometimes also known as wireless distribution system or WDS). Unless there is a more specific term that I'm not familiar with (entirely possible), that is what my group of peers refer to the devices as.

Yes mrloserskid, there are routers available which handle functions like this. If you're looking for consumer grade equipment I recommend something that is OpenWRT, Tomato or DD-WRT compatible as they tend to perform better than factory designed functionality. I have configured a ton of routers with aftermarket firmware for lots of purposes, one of the most common being to get internet to home theater components. A wireless bridge in a home theater rack can provide network connectivity to a TV, Xbox, Playstation, Blu-ray player, etc, simultaneously!

My current favorite is Asus RT-N16, since it has pretty beefy hardware, is very easy to modify with aftermarket firmware (in fact the SIMPLEST one-step procedure I've ever worked with), and is fairly priced (you can find them for about $70-$100 USD). This particular Asus model is priced similarly to many Linksys, Netgear and Belkin models however it has substantially higher performing hardware--533MHz Broadcom CPU, 128MB RAM, 32MB flash, two USB2.0 ports (for printer/camera/external network drive sharing), 10Mb/100Mb/1Gb physical switch and wireless N MIMO(which has become more common now). Hardware like this is designed to efficiently handle the thousands of concurrent connections and processing power required for torrenting, video streaming, basic hosting, wireless encryption and the like and not collapse under it all. The gigabit ethernet switch has 4 ports plus one WAN port which can even be configured as a fifth switch port if so desired. The factory firmware is decent, if not a bit wonky, and has some extra features not generally found in stock firmwares from other manufacturers. While its stock functionality is extended from that typically found on shelves, aftermarket firmware is still advantageous for opening up further functionality and performance.

For those who are faint of heart and don't want to venture into firmware modification, many Buffalo Technology wireless devices are now shipped stock with DD-WRT and are very fairly priced from around $50-$100USD such as the WZR-HP-G300NH available for $65USD, although it doesn't boast the same specs and features as the Asus model mentioned above. Most notably it has a 400MHz processor, half the RAM at only 64MB, 2x2MIMO as opposed to Asus' 3x3MIMO and only one USB port instead of two.

Anyway, I hope that gives you some direction. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions about aftermarket firmware's advantages or other uses!