Access Points connect via wired Ethernet to a switch, or a switch port on a router, then serve up WiFi. A switch connects devices such as a desktop, laptop, and access point to the router. In this tutorial, we'll try to explain the concept behind each of these terms and. Network Switch: A switch is a physical device used to connect multiple devices on a local area network (LAN), facilitating communication by forwarding data packets to each MAC address of connected devices in an efficient manner. What is a wireless access point? A wireless AP is a network device that. Access points and wireless LAN cards connect devices in a network using radio signals.