Broadband Wireless Router FAQ

Walk in to any store’s electronics section and you’re sure to see a wide variety of wireless networking devices. Though all the different numbers, acronyms, and unfamiliar terms can seem daunting, choosing the right wireless router for your needs is simpler than it appears. Here are several Frequently Asked Questions to help you sort through the fray.

 

What is a Wireless Router?

When internet data comes into your home over the phone or cable line it must be monitored, processed, and sent off to the appropriate target. With standard wired connections, the computer’s modem or wired router handles these tasks. In a wireless network, a wireless router takes over and then converts the data to a radio signal which is transmitted at a specified wi-fi frequency.

In order to “tune in” to this wireless frequency a device or computer must have a wireless modem installed. Though many standard modems now include both wired and wireless technology, the two classifications are distinct. A traditional, purely wired modem will not be able to connect to a wireless signal.

 

Do I Need a Wireless Router?

Though you might think “wireless” has become a stand-in for “modern” or “internet,” the truth is that internet connections are the same as they’ve always been. The primary utility of a wireless network lies in being able to use laptops or mobile devices without a wire. If your household uses only desktop computer systems and other stationary entertainment devices there’s no need for a wireless network. It is still possible to simply plug everything in with cords the old fashioned way.

 

How Do I Know Which Router to Buy?

Wireless specifications, speeds, and technologies change over time, leading to many different varieties on the shelf that can be confusing at first glance. In most cases these different specifications are interchangeable in terms of usability. Generally speaking any average consumer will be able to walk into a store and have success with any of the wireless routers offered.

 

What’s the Difference Between Router Types?

Every wireless router will be built to operate using a specific wireless standard. The four current standards are 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n. In practice each of these standards is perfectly usable. The difference lies in what specific frequency the routers transmit on, and the maximum “perfect” data transfer speed they are capable of.

The 802.11b standard is by far the slowest of the four in terms of transfer speed at 11Mbps, but is also considered obsolete by most manufacturers. Accordingly, any of the three remaining standards will have adequate transfer speeds for the average consumer.

If you live in a densely populated area, it may be a good idea to buy a router that runs on the 802.11a or 802.11n standard. These standard types transmit on a 5GHz frequency, rather than 2.4GHz. Though there is no meaningful speed difference between the two frequencies, most wireless routers transmit at 2.4GHz, and in dense neighborhoods the frequency can actually become “clogged up” and lead to slower transfer rates. Using the less common 5GHz spectrum will avoid this issue.

 

What’s the Difference between Single and Dual-Band Routers?

This specification is fairly self-explanatory. A single-band router will transmit only on 2.4GHz or 5GHz. A dual-band router will be capable of transmitting on either spectrum, or both simultaneously.

 

What Speed Do I Need?

Most routers will advertise a transfer speed between 300Mbps (megabits per second) and 900Mbps. These speeds are “perfect” speeds, and mostly theoretical. They indicate the modem’s maximum transfer rates in an ideal scenario with perfectly clear airwaves and zero interference. In most real-world scenarios that promised maximum can be effectively cut in half.

 

Most internet providers will only offer maximum transfer speeds well under 100Mbps. Chances are your home connection is operating at around 2-5Mbps at best. With this in mind, the advertised speed of the router is not a relevant factor unless you plan on regularly transferring an enormous amount of data between devices within your own home. Even the “slowest” router on the shelf is going to be capable of speeds much faster than your actual internet connection will ever provide.

 

Is an External Antenna Necessary?

External antennas will generally provide stronger and more reliable single strength than their internal counterparts. If you only need your wireless network to span across one or two rooms, an internal antenna should be fine. In order to provide coverage across an entire household you’re better off buying a modem with an external antenna in order to maximize the size of the wireless network.

 

Which Security Protocol Do I Need?

The three primary security protocols are WEP, WPA, and WPA2. Though WEP is the oldest and “weakest,” and WPA2 the newest and “strongest,” any of the three protocols are more than capable of providing adequate security for a home network. Most new devices will be equipped with the WPA2 protocol, but a WEP device can still be considered appropriately secured.

 

Though there are many options to sift through, the truth is any off-the-shelf device is likely to meet your needs.

 

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