Choosing a modem with a built-in router allows for sharing internet access. Different broadband connections require specific modems. Wired networks are more secure and faster, while wireless networks are more flexible and cost-effective. Wireless protocols have standards, with 802.11n being the newest and fastest. Machines in the network need their own wireless card, and compatibility is important. Buying your own router can save fees and hassle. Resetting the router occasionally may be necessary.
Broadband connectivity requires a modem, and choosing one with a built-in router will allow you to share Internet access with more than one computer. A router juggles requests from multiple machines, routing the traffic to the appropriate computer.
Before buying a router you need to know what type of broadband connection you will be using. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), cable, and fiber optics each require their own class of modem. For example, a device made for DSL won’t work with cable Internet service unless it’s built to handle both types of service. These models are more expensive but also more flexible.
Once you know what type of broadband router you’ll need, the next step is to decide between wired or wireless models. A wired router requires all machines to be physically connected to the router with Ethernet cables, while a wireless router will allow you to roam untethered throughout a home or office.
Wired networks are considered more secure because traffic flowing between computers and the router isn’t transmitted over radio waves. Wired networks are also faster for sharing files over your local network than older wired protocols, but newer wireless protocols have offset this advantage. The disadvantages include the cost of Ethernet cabling, the hassle of running the cable, and the inflexibility of physically being connected to the router.
A wireless broadband router requires no cabling, saving you considerable time and money. You can also roam your home or workplace while maintaining connectivity. For security reasons, wireless networks should be encrypted with software provided with the broadband router to prevent local intruders from eavesdropping on your network traffic.
Wireless communication protocols maintain specific standards to suit hardware manufacturers so that wireless devices can be made interoperable. As of early 2009, the most widely implemented standard is 802.11g, slowly being replaced by the newer 802.11n standard. The “n” standard is faster, competes with wired Ethernet speeds, and is more robust than the “g” standard.
As a result, a wireless broadband router comes in one of three versions: the device will comply with the “g” standard, the “n” standard, or both standards. The latter router will be more expensive because it will contain two radios, since “g” and “n” operate in different frequency bands, but it will also be more versatile and future-proof.
Each machine in the network will need to have its own wireless card to communicate with the wireless broadband router. Today’s computers come with a wireless card already installed, but some cards may only support one protocol or the other. Some cards support both. If needed, you can purchase an external wireless adapter to enable a computer to support another protocol, but the wireless router and computer must share a common standard. A router that only supports the “n” network will not be able to communicate with a computer that only supports the “g” network, and vice versa.
Many broadband modem manufacturers guarantee that their devices will work with specific Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This includes modems with built-in routers. A list of compatible ISPs can be found on manufacturers’ websites, usually with configuration settings for each broadband service. Choosing such a manufacturer avoids the hassle of looking for configuration settings elsewhere and ensures compatibility.
Buying your own broadband router can save you monthly fees charged by some ISPs for providing this equipment. It will also save you the hassle of having to send the product back to the ISP in the event of a contract termination. If you switch ISPs, you can probably use your broadband router with the new provider, assuming you don’t switch to a new connection type, such as DSL to cable or cable to fiber.
A broadband router can be left running 24/7, but may need to be reset occasionally if connectivity is lost. Turning the device off for XNUMX seconds and then turning it back on is normally all that is required.
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