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To harness Wi-Fi, you need a supporting device known as a router. Knowing how to configure system settings is essential for troubleshooting router or Wi-Fi issues. Mastering basic system configuration steps will accumulate experience, enabling you to handle router errors effectively during usage. To enhance users' router knowledge, Mytour brings you 10 essential functions to know when using wireless routers.
Exploring the World of Wireless Routers and Their 10 Essential Functions
1. Encryption (Data Security)
This feature is designed to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your Wi-Fi network without a password. Additionally, it encrypts data transmitted between devices within the Wi-Fi network.
In this section, it is recommended to choose WPA or WPA2 encryption standards for optimal usage.
2. MAC Address Filters (MAC Address Filtering)
True to its name, MAC address filtering is a straightforward and easily comprehensible feature: it allows devices with MAC addresses on the list to access the network while blocking all devices with MAC addresses not on the list.
Typically, each device will have a unique MAC address. It is a 12-digit hexadecimal number, so you can consult Google to find out the MAC address of the device you need.
3. Port Forwarding
Routers have a total of 65,536 ports, and for security reasons, most of them are blocked. If your router uses non-standard port forwarding services, it may not differentiate which device needs the transmitted data.
The port forwarding feature will address this issue, allowing the router to directly open a series of ports for a specific device to connect to the network.
4. Quality of Service (QoS)
This feature enables users to prioritize bandwidth for essential applications. By configuring this feature, less important applications will have reduced bandwidth to prioritize more critical ones.
On some devices, this feature also supports Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM). When activated, it prioritizes multimedia services such as audio, video, etc., to ensure these services achieve better quality.
5. Channel Selection
This feature helps to set up the channel appropriately to receive the best signal. You can use the WiFiInfoView software on Windows to assist in finding and selecting the best signal channel.
6. 5GHz Band
For newer routers supporting Wi-Fi 802.11ac standard, your device will have a 5GHz band in addition to the 2.4GHz band like older routers.
The advantage of the 5GHz band is its lower susceptibility to interference, greater stability, and potential for faster transmission speeds. However, the 2.4GHz band has a wider coverage area.
7. Shared File Access
On some newer routers, users may notice integrated USB ports at the back, allowing for file sharing within the peer network.
The USB port integrated on the router also serves to connect to other USB devices, including printers. However, since many printers today often feature Wi-Fi connectivity, this feature may be less utilized.
8. Wireless - Guest/Virtual Access Points
This is also a quite useful feature that you can customize in your Wi-Fi Router. Guest User Mode or Virtual Access Point provides the ability to access a separate network connection. This feature is considered fast and secure for 'guest visitors'.
9. Parental Control
Parental Control mode allows parents to manage their children's internet access. This feature can limit online hours, filter inappropriate content, and specify certain websites that can be accessed. Moreover, parents can even schedule preset internet cut-offs.
10. Mobile Management App
This feature is usually accessed from a web browser. However, on some routers today, this feature can also be controlled via Smartphone. Some router manufacturers like Linksys or Netgear provide apps for both Android and iOS platforms, allowing users to conveniently set up and utilize.
Recently, Mytour introduced 10 wireless router features that you should know. Along with that, to boost Wi-Fi speed, the following 10 tips will be beneficial for users. Check out these 10 tips to enhance your home Wi-Fi for the fastest, strongest network.
