What also requires cabling connections in a network?

In a network, a wireless access point (WAP) requires cabling connections for several critical reasons. Although WAPs provide wireless connectivity to devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets, they still need to connect to the wired network infrastructure to access the Internet and route traffic effectively.

The typical setup involves connecting the WAP to a switch or router using Ethernet cabling. This wired connection ensures that the WAP can transmit and receive data from the main network, facilitating the delivery of services and resources to wireless clients. Proper cabling is essential here to maintain a reliable and stable network performance, as it minimizes the risk of interference and maximizes data transfer rates.

While devices like network printers, fax machines, and standalone computers can also operate with wired infrastructure, they do not inherently serve as access points for multiple wireless devices. Thus, they do not require cabling in the same context as a WAP, which must be integrated with both wireless devices and wired network elements to fulfill its role.