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The majority of broadband routers on the market today offer Wi-Fi support. When it comes to purchasing a router for personal or business use, users are faced with numerous options. Finding a product that fits your needs and meets your usage requirements is crucial.
1. The Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Best Wi-Fi Router
The majority of broadband routers on the market today offer Wi-Fi support. When it comes to purchasing a router for personal or business use, users are faced with numerous options. Finding a product that fits your needs and meets your usage requirements is crucial.
Một trong những tâm thế chuẩn bị trước khi lựa chọn sản phẩm là không nên tin theo tốc độ thiết bị được các nhà sản xuất quảng cáo. Một số hãng huênh hoang router của họ cho khả năng xử lý 300 MB/giây, nhưng với người dùng chuyên nghiệp, tốc độ không phải là vấn đề quan trọng nhất. Thay vào đó, tìm kiếm những sản phẩm có nhiều tính năng và đáp ứng được nhu cầu thực tế mới là điều ưu tiên.
1. Công nghệ 802.11n (N) thật sự tốt hơn 802.11g (G)?
Depending on your preference, remember that 802.11g Wi-Fi routers have been using this technology for almost 10 years now, still popular, especially in the business world. Small businesses opt for G routers due to their affordability yet equivalent performance.
Some 802.11g routers also integrate special features essential for businesses, such as robust firewalls, management capabilities, and threat prevention. However, in households, speed takes precedence, and 802.11n Wi-Fi routers continue to reign supreme.
Some N routers like TrendNet Gigabit can transmit signals at speeds of up to 200 Mbps and theoretically up to 300 Mbps. Overall, N routers offer speeds 5 times faster than G routers in real-world usage tests.
2. Are dual-band routers better than single-band routers?
N routers offer both single and dual-band options. Single-band routers use the 2.4 GHz band, equivalent to G routers. Dual-band N routers support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Even on the 2.4 GHz band, N routers are faster than G routers because they utilize better frequency bands, while also providing better signal coverage around household items and walls. Single-band N routers typically offer speeds up to 5 times faster than G routers.
Clearly, dual-band routers offer better performance but come with a hefty price tag.
3. What is the simultaneous dual-band transmission feature of dual-band routers?
Dual-band N routers transmit signals simultaneously, a recent development aimed at simplifying band switching for manufacturers. Some products with this technology include D-Link DIR-825 Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router and Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station 802.11n, which transmit N signals simultaneously on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
Using two frequency bands, this router type can transmit stronger signals and cover larger areas, without requiring manual band switching. Simultaneous dual-band routers are also more efficient and stable. However, if you're willing to pay the hefty price tag, this is the perfect choice.
4. Do I need 2, 3, or 4 antennas or just a 'hidden' one?
Because the speed on N routers depends on the antennas transmitting, receiving, and dispersing signals, ideal antennas are configured in a 4-4 ratio. However, most high-end N routers have antennas with a 3-2 or 3-3 design. Antennas nowadays share common shapes and sizes, visibly protruding and tubular.
Some manufacturers like Apple, Netgear, and Linksys have introduced new solutions by incorporating hidden antennas, such as Apple Xtreme routers, Netgear RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit Router WNR3500, and Linksys with Cisco Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router WRT320N technology. However, in testing, they may not show any superiority over traditional antennas.
5. What is the guest access mode on routers?
Guest access mode is one of the most useful features of routers. The router will split the Wi-Fi network into 2, such as the Belkin N+ Wireless Router (F5D8235-4) supporting this feature.
The router allows the user's friends to access the network without a password. You can also design this model yourself with routers that support virtual LAN technology, but the setup process is quite complex and intricate. If you have to choose a Wi-Fi broadcasting device, pay a little attention to guest access capabilities.
6. What about the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) installation process?
Wi-Fi Protected Setup is a security standard for a router's laptop. To connect via WPS, users must have a password. The decryption process to be granted access depends on the operating system and laptop type.
For example, Windows Connect Now (WCN) adheres to WPS. When the WPS system is operational, it's a simple process. However, for laptops that do not support (both hardware and software), configuring the device to work is not easy. Should you pay attention to this feature of a router?
The answer is no. WPS is not really necessary and usually, your setup process may encounter glitches. However, with some efficient N routers that support WPS, it also brings certain extended features.
7. Regarding the number of signal transmitting ports on the router
Simply put, the more ports, the better for you. While most Wi-Fi N routers have standard 5 ports, you'll be surprised when some similar devices do not support that many. For example, Apple AirPort Xtreme and Apple Time Capsule only have 4 ports.
When wanting to connect to a NAS device, an Xbox 360, a VoIP phone, and a PC will occupy 4 of your ports (the remaining port is for connecting to a DSL or cable modem). The advice is if you can, choose routers for maximum connectivity. In unavoidable cases, buy an additional switch to bring the Internet to every nook and cranny in your home or office.
8. Is a router with a sturdy firewall important?
Fortunately, most routers today come with integrated firewalls, with some even using SPI firewalls, considered far superior to the old NAT type. Some routers like the SMC Barricade N Wireless Broadband Router (SMCWBR14S-N2) also offer a range of 'bare-handed' options when configuring firewall settings. Are they really better?
The answer is not necessarily. Typically, manually set parameters are often used for specialized purposes and not necessarily to enhance the overall firewall capabilities. As long as the Wi-Fi router has an SPI firewall, it's sufficient for most users. Another notable point is that most N routers support WPA2-PSK encryption, which is a feature worth considering.
9. Can home-designed routers meet the needs of small and medium businesses?
The answer is yes. However, sometimes the business environment requires security defense capabilities and extended features that home user routers cannot meet. Some routers designed for personal users like the SMC Barricade N Wireless Router and ASUS RT-N11 EZ Wireless N Router are designed with advanced features such as 802.1X security standard, routing, and VLANS, making them quite attractive to small business entrepreneurs.
10. What's the best way to access a router remotely?
Some routers like Netgear WNR3500 support dynamic DNS services such as Dyndns.org or TZO.com, which are excellent choices if you want to access the router remotely. With dynamic DNS support, you can access by using a domain name like myhomenetwork.net instead of using the IP address provided by the ISP. Since ISP service providers often change IP addresses, the easiest way to find your network on the web is to activate dynamic DNS on the router.
(According to Tuoi tre online/PCMAG)
