Views of Wi Fi Routers. What Wi-Fi router is better to buy for home, or apartment? Select the router. Wireless connection interfaces

To date, each of us is a huge number of different gadgets: tablets, smartphones, laptops. For their full use you need Wi-Fi, so today we will talk about how to choose a router for home, on which models and their parameters to pay attention.

Why do you need a router

The router converts the Internet that the user receives through the cable into a special signal, and devices with receivers Wi Fi signal can be connected to it. Thanks to this, you do not need a lot of wires, since to connect to the network, you should only turn on the Wi-Fi module on the device, to find the access point created by the router and continue to it.

Types of routers

There are several types of routers, depending on the Internet, to which the user is going to connect.

Ethernet

This type is used most often. Most of the router are equipped with a drift port. An ordinary cable (twisted pair) is connected to it, which provider carries out to your home / apartment.

ADSL modems with Wi-Fi

These are also simple routers that only have a special connector for connecting a telephone cable. If you have an ADSL modem installed, you should buy an Ethernet router and connect it to it using a regular cable.

3G / 4G Wi-Fi Routers

If you are going to connect to the network via a USB modem and distribute the Internet, you should use a router with a special WAN-port connector - USB 3G.

Universal

There are routers who have several ports for connecting the Internet, for example, Ethernet and USB. Note that if the device has a YUSB port, this does not mean that it can be connected to it 3G modem.

Main factors

Now go to how to choose a router for home Wi Fi. You have already had to determine what type you need and an approximate amount of money you are ready to give for the device.

Price

In the router market, you can find devices ranging from 600 rubles. However, it is not recommended to pay attention to such cheap routers. Their functionality is small, there will be a weak signal from them. It is better to choose devices ranging from 1,500 rubles, but no more than 4,000 rubles, because for the house there is a fairly simple router in the area of \u200b\u200b1500-3000 thousand rubles.

Physical port

Here you need to decide what speed you need, however, most often enough router with 100 Mbps ports. Very rarely, routers with gigabit ports are purchased for home use.

Wi-Fi Module

This is the most important parameter in the device for distribution of the Internet. Let's start with the fact that in no case you need to take routers from the inner antenna. They are very weak, the gain coefficient is only 2 DBI. This can be enough for a small apartment with one room, but for the big house will not be enough. We do not advise you to buy devices with a non-removable external antenna, since if it is not enough, it will not be possible to install another, more powerful. To achieve a good coating, you need a router for two antennas with a 5DBI coefficient in MIMO mode.

There is another factor - supported standards. Almost all modern devices support the 802.11n standard, providing data transfer speed up to 600 Mbps in one second (if there are 4 antennas). If the router is cheap with one antenna, it is usually written on it Wireless 150, that is, the speed must be 150 Mbps, but in fact much less. It is better to buy routers where the Wireless 300 is indicated. They support speed up to 300 Mbps and stand just more expensive, literally at 100-150 rubles.

Iron Router.

Here, everything is also, as with a PC, the better processor and more RAM, the greater the load will be able to withstand the device. Consider that if the tariff is provided with the Internet at a speed of 100 Mbps, routers, the price of which up to 1500 rubles will not cope with it. If you are going to download much, consider this factor.

What model to choose

Now let's look at how to choose a router for home, what better. Each manufacturer has several good models, so you should not pay attention to the brand, because the main thing is to find this very model.

Router ASUS RT-N12 is a good model for home. It provides data transmission at speeds up to 300 Mbps and has a simple interface. It is easy to customize, even the full "kettle" will cope with it. It supports 4 data transfer protocols and has two antennas with a gain of 5 dBi. The approximate cost is about 1,500 rubles.

Another excellent home model - D-Link DIR-615S. It possesses Ethernet ports 100 Mbps and can provide access point at a speed of up to 150 Mbps. The model copes well with the load even when several users are connected immediately. Approximate price from 950 to 1800 rubles.

The following model is Xiaomi Mi WiFi Router 3. It is equipped with 4 antennas: two 2.4GHz and two on 5GHz. This budget router has many advantages, for example:

The presence of a USB port.
Support for two-channel Wi-Fi 802.11ac mode.
You can control the device from your smartphone using a special application.

4 antennas provide excellent coating and stable high speed. Approximate cost of 1500 rubles.

And the last today is TP-Link TL-WR841N. It is easily adjusted thanks to a special disk. The model has two antennas providing good coating. Communication is always stable and not lost. The maximum speed supported by the device is 300 mbit. Approximate cost - up to 1300 rubles.

Where to place router

It is desirable that the device stood in the center of the house or as close as possible to it. If you live in a private house with several floors, it is best to put a router in the center on the first floor. Be sure to direct the antenna up. Do not put a router where various fittings, electronic devices, etc. are located. This may affect the quality of communication.

How to configure routers

Let's look at the overall connection algorithm and routers tincture:

Conclusion

We hope this article will help you choose a router. We painted all the important characteristics and factors to pay attention to when buying. In addition, we have provided a brief guide to setting up routers, of course, not everyone is painted there, but soon we will release a full-fledged instruction on the tincture of routers.

The router is a device that performs the function of the distribution of the Internet to support the wireless, or wired network devices (tablets, smartphones, laptops, computers, televisions, and so on). From what Wi-Fi-router you select, will depend such indicators as the wireless Internet coverage area in the apartment, the speed of the Internet connection, the stability of the network, and so on. In this article we will tell you how different Wi-Fi-router models are distinguished, as well as their characteristics to pay attention to.

What are the types of routers?

WiFi routers can be divided into 5 species:

WiFi routers, which are wireless routers used to connect along the ADSL line;
(FTTB.) WiFi.-Rooters -the most commonly used wireless routers connected to the network with a twisted pair (Ethernet FTTB);
CPON./ Cepon./ WiFi.-Rewers - Devices that appeared relatively recently. They are designed to connect to passive optical PON networks (the so-called "optics in the apartment");
3 G. WiFi.-Rewers - wireless routers that are used to organize Internet access through mobile networks;
UniversalWiFi.-Rewers - Devices that can connect to multiple Internet sources. The most common option is the ADSL + Ethernet routers (FTTB) or Ethernet (FTTB) + 3G.

Maximum data transfer rate

The newest models of routers support the standard that provides theoretical data transfer rate to 1.3 Gbit / s.

Most routers work according to Wi-Fi. The theoretical data transfer rate of such routers can reach 600 mbit / s.

As far as the router "cuts" the speed of the Internet, you can find out through the SpeedTest service. To do this, connect the computer to the network by the cable, and measure the transfer speed and reception. Then Switch to Wi-Fi, and spend another test.

Most Wi-Fi-routers operate in the frequency range of 2.4 GHz. You can also find models on the market that can simultaneously or alternately operate in the range of 2.4 and 5 GHz. The 5 GHz channel can be useful if there are many routers that make interference that reduce the speed of the Internet. The transition to 5 GHz can increase the speed, but slightly reduce the network radius.

Hardware routing filling

If you take into account the hardware of the Wi-Fi Router, you can see that this device has the same "stuffing" as computers usual. The main characteristics of routers that are worth paying attention are the frequency of the processor and the amount of RAM. As in the case of computers, the more these indicators, the better, however, the price of such devices will be higher.

Most Wi-Fi-routers have several LAN ports to connect wired home devices. If your apartment has high-speed Internet, and you like to play on the local network, you will be enough a router with 100 Mbit / s ports.

Software functional

Each Wi-Fi router has a special pre-installed software, which is often called the "firmware".

To routers there are 2 approaches:

each model creates its own unique software;
software is created for a whole line of routers.

Each of these approaches have their advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage of the first approach is that in this case the resources of the device are used the most rational. However, given that new functions constantly appear in routers, and with them various errors, it should periodically be updated. Quite often it happens that, by releasing new models of routers, manufacturers forget about the old, and cease to update them. In this case, users are often forced to buy a new router.

The advantage of the second approach is that the software in such routers is updated constantly and for this reason they are more functional.

Rating manufacturers

If we talk about router manufacturers, each of them has both good, fast models of routers and frankly unsuccessful.

Each company engaged in the production of routers has both fans and opponents who are constantly arguing which brand is better. In our experience, you can say the following: problems are all. For example, the Wi-Fi-Routers of the D-Link company used to have often often met software problems and problems with wireless communications that were solved by updating the firmware. Such manufacturers, like things, are a little better, although much will depend on which model of the router you select. If we talk about such manufacturers of routers, as, and, they are very reliable, but among the devices of these companies there are exceptions.

Keep in mind that if you acquire the simplest models, no matter what the manufacturer they have, problems can arise with them, since on such models the manufacturers saved as soon as they could.

If your budget for the purchase of the router is strongly limited, better pay attention to the "advanced" models of the third wave producers - WiFi routers and UPVEL. These devices have a relatively low price, and at the same time differ in a good "stuffing".

RESULTS

We hope that our advice will help you determine with the choice of a Wi-Fi-router, and you can purchase an optimal option that will delight you with stable work.

It is important to understand that in order to find the most appropriate option of the router, you need to get information about the house in which it will be installed (area, wall thickness), about devices for which you need to provide access to the Internet, and about tasks that will be performed On these devices.

Summing up, once again we note that it is better not to save on the router, since otherwise you may have problems with speed, or with signal quality.

Why was the opinion of many people that the choice of Wi-Fi router for home use the process is not particularly important, the main thing is to buy cheaper, and any will work. In fact, everything is not as easy as it may seem and choose a router for the house follows the most thorough way. Almost any home router at the very beginning really will work well, but what will happen to him in a couple of months or half a year? It is already dependent on the quality of the router itself, there are cases of cases when the router for the house has to be bought 3-4 times a year if you buy not the highest quality samples. As you can see, it is much more profitable and wisely to initially buy a good WiFi router for the house, so as not to spend money in the future and thereby save your money.

What is a router?

Before proceeding with the description of the main characteristics, which modern Wi Fi routers have for home and to pay attention to their choice, let's pay attention to what the router represents. The router is called a special device, in whose tasks includes, and distributing it to users.

Modern routers are not such simple devices as it may seem. A whole minicomputer is hidden under the router housing, which in many respects is not inferior to the average personal computers about 10-15 years old. The router has a processor and operational, as well as constant memory. Each router also necessarily has at least one Ethernet port in which the provider's cable is actually connected.

Those routers that possess only one Ethernet port can safely be called mini-options. In fact, in the usual middle router, at least 1 WAN port is contained (used to receive the Internet from the provider), as well as 4 LAN ports (for connecting various electronic devices to the router: laptops, computers, consoles, etc.).

Types of routers

If you divide routers on the conditional principle, you can divide them about five types:

Wireless routers that are connected using ADSL.

Ethernet (FTTB) Wifi routers.

Connect with twisted pair. Are among the most used routers at the moment.

CPON / CEPON / PON WIFI.

Pretty new development used to connect to special PON networks (passive optical networks).

3G Wifi routers.

Special routers used to connect to the Internet through networks of cellular operators.

Universal WiFi Routers

This type of routers can be connected to a network at once across multiple technologies.

Despite the fact that there are approximately 5 types of routers most of interest most of the Internet users, is the usual Ethernet (FTTB) WiFi-router. All because it is this router most often used to connect the usual home Internet.

What should be done before choosing a router?

Before you directly proceed to the process itself, the choice of the router is very important to decide for yourself what tasks it should perform. Also, should also be declared not only with the tasks that you put in front of the router, but also with the amount of money you are ready to give. This is really a very important point, about which you should not forget.

Suppose if you are interested in only Internet surfing, and all sorts of entertainment on the network, in this case you can do even quite a common budget option. In the same case, if you think to download a very large amount of information from the Internet or maybe, you wish to create a special network storage, and connect a large number of interactive services, in this case the budget option can no longer be suitable.

What should be paid when choosing a router?

Like any other thing, and especially the technique, the router has certain characteristics for which attention should be paid, especially if you want to know - what Wi Fi Router is better for the house?

Price

With regard to prices, the price variation for modern routers is quite large. So, for example, the cheapest models can cost 900-1000 rubles, but this is not the best option, for a variety of reasons. Such routers usually have very weak characteristics, well work, and quickly fail, so if you do not want to waste your own money, it is best not to pay attention to them.

There is a category of routers whose price exceeds 7000-8000 rubles, these routers are also best not to buy, because their purchase can be the same meaningless spending money, all because more cheap routers are no longer inferior to such devices. Well, of course, if you have a lot of money, and you want to boast of your friends, you can and purchase such a router, however, in terms of additional functions and better quality you are unlikely to win.

Ports

The ports are a very important component of any router, however, everything that needs to be done when the ports are selected, it is easy to determine their speed. At the moment, the usual 100 megabit ports are fully suitable for any occasion. The need for gigabit ports can now be said completely absent, as the usual 100 megabit ports are able to fully cope with all the tasks set before them.

Wi-Fi

If you want a really powerful WiFi router for a home, then when buying a router, you should pay attention to its Wi-Fi - module. There are routers in which the antenna is located inside. It should be noted, such routers are best not to acquire, the reason is that the inner antenna has a weak gain coefficient, therefore, the radius of such a router will be very small. The maximum for which such a router is enough is a small room, while for the housing of medium sizes, its power is clearly not enough.

Also, what about the routers with an internal antenna, you can say about routers with an external beaming antenna. It is also better not to take them, the radius of action and the power of Wai-faya they have more than that of routers with internal antenna, but slightly. However, in the extreme case, you can already buy them.

It is best to buy routers that contain two antennas with a gain of at least 2 DBIs, and much better than 5 DBIs, in this case you get a truly good router with a very serious range of action that is just enough for almost any residential premises.

Hardware component of router

As for the hardware filling of the device, then the router is largely similar to any computer. That is, the more powerful there is a processor and the more the device has a memory, the higher the load of the router will be able to pull out. Suppose the speed of your home Internet is 100 Mbps, it is realistic to squeeze such a speed of routers, the price of which is less than 2500 rubles, quite difficult and by itself the speed will be slightly lost.

Therefore, if you like to download from the Internet a lot of information and content, in this case, buy a powerful router, otherwise the speed of your Internet will be quite lower compared to the one that you really have. In any case, the question is a router for home, what better? There will always be relevant, and there is no accurate response to it, so always focus on your own needs.

Software component router

As for the software filling, it is very often most routers it is very similar. There is only some functionality, which often does not matter much.

Internet access protocols:

Almost any modern router will work on a network of any provider. The only exception can serve various old models for certain routers, many of which will not work in all networks. However, now such routers are already practically no on sale, so if you buy a modern router Your home network through a WiFi router will work quite successfully and normally on the network of any provider.

IPTV support

Perhaps at the moment you are not going to use all the advantages of IPTV - television, but do not hurry. Maybe in the future you change your opinion on this issue and if you now buy a router without supporting this technology, you will have to buy a new router.

In order to face such a problem in the future, you should buy a router which is able to separate at least one LAN - the port from the group and translate it into the operation of a "transparent bridge".

Manufacturer

Many believe that it is not worth paying particular attention to the manufacturer, all because each manufacturer has both successful and not very successful models, so much more important to pay attention to specific models of routers. For example, among those devices that you can enter the best WiFi routers for home 2015 There are a large number of routers of different manufacturers.

Nevertheless, when someone wants to determine the best router for home 2015 around this issue, very hot spores can flare up, which can often be seen on many forums and in groups of social networks. But still it is better to pay attention to a specific model, and not on the manufacturer.

What to choose the best router for home?

Still, what wi fi router is better for home? Buy a router from the calculations of how you use the Internet. In that case, if you just go through the pages, read information and have fun on the network, you will be quite suitable for a budget option, cost of about 1500-2000 rubles. If you are accustomed to using the Internet seriously, you swing a lot of all content, then it should definitely buy more expensive versions of routers, such a starting price about 5,000 rubles.

What do you need to know when choosing Wi-Fi Router for home? Was Last Modified: May 4th, 2016 by Maksimb.

The router is the main component of the local network and performs most of the basic functions when exchanging data. Not only the possibilities of your home network, but also its performance, and stability will be dependent. Therefore, it is very serious to his choice.

Introduction

In the first material cycle of the articles, we found out that the router is the main component of the local network and performs most of the basic functions when exchanging data. And if so, then to his choice should be taken very seriously. It is from him that many possibilities of your home network will depend on it, its performance and stability of work.

To facilitate you choosing this complex device, let's consider the main characteristics of the routers and will figure it out for which they respond. I will intentionally simplify some of the wording when describing certain functions, growing not to overload the complex technical information of inexperienced users.

Types of routers

In general, routers can be divided into two large groups - wired and wireless. Already the names it can be seen that the first all devices are connected only with cables, and the second, both using wires and without them, using Wi-Fi radio technologies. Therefore, at home, most often used wireless routers that allow you to provide Internet and combine computer equipment using different communication technologies.

Conclusion 1: If you do not pursue any specialized tasks, then the router is better to buy wireless. This universal solution will allow us to combine equipment using various data transmission technologies.

Wired connection interfaces

To connect computers and other devices with wires, routers have special T-shaped nests, called ports. In models focused on home use usually their number is equal to five - four LAN sockets (output interface) and one WAN or DSL (input interface).

The LAN ports are connected to the devices that you want to combine into the network, and the WAN port is connected to the Cable provider provider providing broadband (high-speed) Internet access via specially dedicated to this channel. By the way, therefore, many routers of the WAN port subscribe to the word Internet.

Unfortunately, in some regions, broadband access to the network is still missing or very expensive. In this case, the Internet connection can be carried out using a telephone line (DSL or ADSL). Then, as an external (input) network interface in the router, a built-in DSL modem performs, and instead of the WAN socket, the connector is placed for a telephone cable with a DSL or ADSL marking.

Recently, the wireless way to connect to the Internet is becoming increasingly popular with 3G and LTE mobile technologies (4G) capable of providing high data exchange rates. This is especially true of large cities with a good coverage area of \u200b\u200bcellular networks.

If it is planned that this method of connecting to the global web is planned, then you need to select a 3G / 4G USB modem support router or with an already built-in mobile modem. In the first version, the router is equipped with a port of USBLD connection of modems and embedded software support for their main models, a complete list of which can be found, as a rule, in the user manual.

In the second case, where the modem is already built-in, there is a slot to install a SIM card of any operator. This option is universal, but not the only one offered in the market.

Often, routers with built-in 3G / LTE modems are offered by the providers themselves (cellular network operators) as their own branded solutions. In this case, a separate purchase and installation of a SIM card is not required, since the device is already configured to work in a specific cellular network.

Conclusion 2: Before buying a router, you must first decide on the company that will provide you with access to the Internet (provider) and find out what kind of connection to the global network they use.

There are two types of LAN-technologies in modern routers. The first, Fast Ethernet, allows devices to exchange data on a network at a speed of up to 100 Mb / c. Second, Gigabit Ethernet - up to 1000 Mbps. If you plan to actively share large files between computers in the home network, such as high quality video, select the router with gigabit LAN ports (10/100 / 1000Base-TX). If the main task is to simply provide the Internet all devices in the home network, then it can be limited to a budget solution with a 100 megabitis output interface (10 / 100Base-TX). After all, today in many regions of Russia, the bandwidth of the Internet channels of private users does not exceed 10 Mbit / s, and only in major cities the speed of access to the world wide web can reach 100 Mbps.

Conclusion 3: In most cases, it is enough for a router with a speed to provide the Internet of all local network participating devices. LAN-ports 10/100 Mbps c. But for the active exchange of volumetric data between computers of the home network, the router is better suitable with the maximum information transfer rate through LAN equal to 1 Gbit / s. But it will cost more.

Another important feature of the router to which you should pay attention is the bandwidth of the WAN interface. This applies to those who plan to connect to the Internet using broadband access can provide high information exchange rates. It is important to know that WAN features in many budget models of routers (up to 2000 rubles) are limited to data rates of 30 - 35 Mbps. This means that by purchasing such a router and connecting to the Internet, for example, at a speed of 60 Mbit / s, you can use the capabilities of the canal only half, and will be in vain to overpay.

Unfortunately, manufacturers for some reason do not consider it necessary to inform users the values \u200b\u200bof the bandwidth of WAN-ports in the official technical specifications of the devices. Therefore, these figures are usually not published in any of the descriptions of routers, including those that provide many computer stores. The only way out of this situation is to use the search for the necessary information on the Internet. The benefit of finding it in most cases will not be difficult.

Conclusion 4: Decide before buying a router, at what speed you plan to connect to the Internet. If the channel is wide (over 30 Mbps c), then definitely find out the bandwidth WAN-port of the selected model of your future router.

If in your area the connection to the World Wide Web is possible only through the telephone line, then you should not worry about the bandwidth of the incoming network interface. Almost all modern routers have the support of the most advanced ADSL 2+ standard, providing the maximum speed of an incoming flow equal to 24 Mbps, and the output - 3.5 Mbps.

Wireless connection interfaces

As already mentioned, wireless routers contain a Wi-Fi module responsible for transmitting data using a radio signal. Most often, Wi-Fi is used to connect various devices to the local network, but sometimes with the help of this technology, wireless bridges are organized, allowing you to connect the subnets by radio channel.

Strictly speaking, a set of wireless communication standards in local IEEE 802.11, which was proposed and promoted by the Wi-Fi Alliance, was proposed and promoted by the Wi-Fi Alliance, in honor of which he received his user name. I did not accidentally mention the phrase "set of standards", since in modern routers, not one standard of wireless data transmission, but at once a few of its varieties:

Standard Wi-Fi 802.11a - data transfer rate up to 54 Mbps transmitted at 5 GHz. Outdated standard;
Standard Wi-Fi 802.11 b. - Data transfer rate up to 11 Mbps transmitted at 2.4 GHz. Outdated standard;
Standard Wi-Fi 802.11 g. - Data transfer rate up to 54 Mbps transmitted at 2.4 GHz. Today, the most common standard, but already obsoletns;
Standard Wi-Fi 802.11 n. - data transfer rate up to 150/300/450 Mbps transmitted at frequencies 2.4 and 5 GHz. At the same time, in many cases, manufacturers in characteristics write double velocity values \u200b\u200b(300/600/900) implying the total values \u200b\u200bof the transfer of information in both directions (reception and return). Modern common standard, actively displacing 802.11g;
Standard Wi-Fi 802.11 aC - Data transfer rate up to 1300 Mbps transmitted at frequencies 2.4 and 5 GHz. Very promising, but still a low-prolonged standard.

All advanced standards have backward compatibility with older versions. For example, 802.11ac is inversely compatible with 802.11a / b / g / n.

The most budget and most common options are routers with support for Wi-Fi 802.11a / b / g technologies. No less popular routers with Wi-Fi 802.11n, providing a good coating zone and high data transfer rates. Well, the 802.11ac standard is still exotic, since the equipment supporting it is expensive and has not yet become widespread.

Recently, dual-band routers are becoming increasingly popular, the Wi-Fi module is capable of operating at the frequencies of 2.4 and 5 GHz. Both bands have its advantages and disadvantages. The first (2.4 GHz) is compatible with all standard Wi-Fi devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets, printers, etc.), but because of this has a high level of channel noise. The second (5 GHz) provides a smaller level of interference on the air, but the quality of the signal strongly depends on direct visibility and is very deteriorated in the presence of a large number of obstacles.

Conclusion 5: The most optimal purchase will be a router with 802.11 technology support n, which has compatibility with old standards and high data rates. Support for two wireless network ranges will be worthless, although optional.

To ensure a quality radio signal when using Wi-Fi technology, most wireless routers are equipped with additional external antennas. Their number varies from one to three, depending on the model of the router. In some cases, manufacturers can use internal antennas that are not protruding outside. In most cases, there is a general rule here - the more the antennas, the better the coating.

Conclusion 6: residents of "Khrushchev" and other small-sized apartments are hard to worry about the number of antennas in the router, it is hardly worth it, but the happy owners of large multicorate apartments or country houses are better to navigate to routers with a large number of antennas.

Additional connection interfaces

There are often cases when modern routers are equipped with one or several USB ports at once, to which additional peripheral devices can be connected and access from the network. For example, a regular printer can be connected to the router and print documents on it from all local network devices or an external hard drive for storing common files.

Conclusion 7: if there is in the router USB ports, you can connect various peripherals to them (printers, portable hard drives, disk storages NAS and others) and share them over the network.

Software

As you already understood, the router is a complex multifunctional device that represents a sort of mini-computer. And both in every computer, for work, settings and router management, special software is used, called firmware.

A lot of firmware depends on a lot, ranging from the stability of the device to its functionality. Thanks to the built-in software in the router, various modes of its operation, protection mechanisms from unauthorized intrusions, supporting Internet connection methods, working with digital television and much more.

A poorly written firmware can make even the most advanced router with a useless piece of iron. So it is highly meticulous to users before buying it is better to immediately find out how high-quality software is worth a router at a particular model. This can be done on special forums and web resources.

In addition to the original versions of the firmware, for many models of routers there are so-called alternative firmware versions. They are written not to the developers themselves, but enthusiasts and allow in some cases to open the undocumented abilities of devices, withdrawing them to a new quality level. The installation of such firmware is made on your own fear and risk of users, since after that the equipment is deprived of warranty. True, re-install the original firmware will be able to re-establish the situation.

Conclusion 8: The functionality and technical characteristics of routers depend not only on their internal "filling", but also on what firmware they are managed. A good firmware can significantly speed up the operation of the router and expand its functionality.

Conclusion

On this, familiarity with the main characteristics of routers can be considered complete. I hope the information received will be a good help with an independent choice of the router. Moreover, if necessary, the information set out in the "Wired Connection Interfaces" section will help you in the selection of the switch, and in the "Wireless Connection Interfaces" section, in the selection of access points.

However, in this material we made only the first step towards understanding such a complex device as the router. Router, even with the most advanced technical characteristics, for successful and productive work requires the correct setting of the set of parameters, but we will talk about this in a separate article.

In the distant past, there were days when there was only one personal computer in the house. At the average family, in addition to a PC / laptop, there is a pair of smartphones, a tablet, "smart" TV. How to connect all this equipment to the Internet if the Internet provider cable can be calculated only on one device? A specialized computer comes to the rescue - a wireless router.

What is a Wi-Fi router and what is it needed for what

Any home user sooner or later comes to thinking to combine all its devices to the local network. This will allow you to organize a network storage for music and movies, provide joint access to the printer or scanner and even build a home video surveillance system. Although the main task will be to ensure sharing of devices to the Internet channel of the provider.

Sooner or later, each user comes to the thoughts of combining all its devices to the local network.

To create a homemade local network and provide sharing to the Internet, the industry has long produces specialized single-board computers - routers or routers. They are able to receive data from the Internet provider and distribute traffic on all available devices. Routers equipped with ports for connecting wired clients and Wi-Fi wireless module will easily contact all your gadgets into a single network, and after the initial setting will be able to work for months without shutting down.

Principle of operation of a wireless router

The principle of the wireless router is to take traffic from the Internet provider and its distribution to the customers of the home network. The software of the router distributes traffic evenly to avoid speed failures in each connected user. Using settings, you can limit the access of any connected client to specific Internet resources (blacklist) or allow network access in a strictly defined time (relevant for children-children). All router settings are made through a graphical superstructure over the software - a web interface. It opens in any Internet browser as a regular website.

ASUSWRT is a visual shell of ASUS routers

Exterior view of the router, destination connections and ports

The router is an autonomous device in a closed case with external or internal (hidden) antennas. Most service connections are located on the rear panel of the router:

Also, the power and reset buttons to the factory settings can also be located on the rear panel. The creation button of the protected wireless connection is typically located on the front or sidebar of the case and is equipped with an LED indicator of activity.

For clarity and ease of operation, the WPS button can be located on the side or front panel of the router

Types of routers

Currently, the Internet provider can provide an incoming channel using the most diverse equipment. It can be a traditional twisted pair UTP-8, a copper "noodles" of a telephone line, a coaxial television cable or modern fiber. The cable may not be at all if your provider is a mobile operator. Depending on the type of the incoming channel, various types of routers are used.

ADSL Standard Modems Routers

Among the cable networks in prevalence confidently leads telephone, because Wired phones are in the most remote and deaf corners of the country. On the part of Internet providers it would be unreasonable to disregard such an extensive cable structure. As a result of this, an ADSL technology appeared on the light, allowing to transfer with high speed over a pair of copper wires not only the telephone line sound signal, but also the data. Data channel Asynchronous - reception rate (about 20-30 Mbps) is almost an order of magnitude higher than the transfer rate (about 3-5 Mbps).

DLink DSL-2650 shows a speed of up to 30 Mbps on the telephone line, has two USB ports and excellent Internet via Wi-Fi

Routers designed to work with such lines have a built-in ADSL modem and the corresponding port for connecting the telephone line. This can be both completely simple and cheap devices that are not equipped with a wireless communication module and 2-antenna media devices that allow you to connect to a wireless network at a speed of up to 300 Mbps. In the premium segment, the ADSL routers are not presented, as the communication channel itself is very medium in speed characteristics, and the high-performance router will work "in good".

Routers with twisted pair connections (Ethernet)

The most numerous family of routers - routers running with a twisted pair connection (Ethernet). The ability to transfer data at a speed of up to 1 Gbit / s, the cheapness of the cable and the simplicity of its installation make networks on a twisted pair the most common. Therefore, the router for such a connection can be chosen for every taste and wallet.

The most inexpensive models are equipped with one insubstant antenna and provide wireless network speed up to 150 Mbps, allowing you to connect to 10 clients (in theory) and 2-4 computers with a twisted pair at a speed of up to 100 Mbps.

TP-LINK TL-WR740ND is equipped with one unknown antenna and provides a wireless network speed up to 150 Mbps

Advanced routers are equipped with three or four antennas with high gain, and 802.11 b / g / n and AC data transfer protocol support allows you to achieve maximum wireless data transmission up to 900 Mbps. Ports for connecting with a twisted pair in such devices are gigabit both to connect customers and to connect to the provider. An integral attribute of such routers is one or more USB 2.0 ports for external hard drives, 3G modems and other peripherals.

TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND is a powerful three-targeted router at a speed of up to 450 Mbps

3G / 4G routers

In places where there are no Internet providers providing services for a cable, the only possibility to connect to the network remains mobile Internet from one of the cellular operators - MTS, Beeline or MegaFon. To work with the 3G-Internet manufacturers produce specialized routers in which you can install a SIM card and distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi for several customers. Since such routers are often used on business trips or away from civilization, most of them have autonomous power from the built-in battery that allows you to work for several hours without recharging.

The 3G router is easily placed in pants pocket and can work for several hours from the built-in battery

Connection to the 3G-Internet can also be performed using a bundle of a 3G modem and a wireless router with a USB port. Such a hardware solution will allow you to combine the performance of the stationary router and the benefits of the mobile Internet and is perfect for the cottage, country house or field camp.

GPON Routers

Despite the fact that most of the last mile cable tracks (wiring from the client to the Internet provider switch) is implemented using an 8-core twisted pair of Ethernet standard, more and more new trails providers are paved using fiber optic cables. Optics cheaper is practically not affected by moisture and corrosion, and most importantly - insensitive to electric vendors. After all, it is no secret that during a thunderstorm electric flooring in the cable network can not only fail the equipment of the provider, but also computers in general house.

The fiber optic cable is not afraid of electrical interference, is not subject to corrosion and has a huge bandwidth.

To connect to a fiber optic Internet channel, you can use as a media converter to which a regular router and a router, equipped with a GPON-interface port for connecting optics. Setting up such a router is no different from setting up a classic router with a twisted pair connection. All the difference lies in the physical interface of the incoming channel.

ZTE-F660 router is installed by Customers MGTS Provider

Video: What types of routers exist

How to choose a router for home, office or travel

Before buying a router it is worth turning the framework of its application. This will avoid excess costs and situations where the device cannot solve problems due to its low performance.

Router for home

Choosing a router for the apartment of a multi-storey house, cost to take into account a few moments. There are many other routers in an apartment building, because the neighbors also have the Internet. To minimize the effect of other devices on the signal of its router, you should give preference to the device with internal antennas of sufficient power. They will cover the coating inside the apartment without receiving the signal of other people's routers. The ideal option will be the purchase of a 5 GHz standard router. Such a signal fastens faster, and the standard provides more free channels than 2.4 GHz standard. The absence of external antennas will make a router less vulnerable during interaction with children and pets.

720th TP-LINK has small sizes and good characteristics.

Router for office

For the router operating in the office, the performance of the wireless interface is set to the chapter. We will also be presence of USB ports to provide shared access to the printer. In order for the wireless connection to be stable, and the speed did not fall, choose three-chain models equipped with antennas with a large gain coefficient.

ASUS RT-N66U router will provide stable wireless communication in any corner of your office.

Travel router

For field work and business trips, you will need a 3G-router with the possibility of offline work from the built-in battery. The router model is secondary here, because The speed of the mobile channel will be able to "digest" any mobile router released in 2017-2018. In order not to overpay, it makes sense to take that router, to which the mobile operator will have a maximum discount when concluding a contract.

Exclude a contract with Beeline (or another mobile operator) and get a 4G router as a gift

Routers 5 GHz and their advantage relative to Routers 2.4 GHz

Squeeze from the 2.4 GHz 300 Mbps router, if it is operated in an apartment building or office building with a large number of wireless equipment, almost an impossible task. Routers create interference to work a friend's friend, the data transfer rate drops in 2 and 4 times (from theoretically possible).

The electronic industry proposed an output in the form of a new 802.11 AC data transfer standard. The equipment of this standard operates on a higher (twice) frequency - 5 GHz. This provides a greater number of channels by which the router transmits and receives data. With a frequency of 5 GHz, routers can work simultaneously without interfering with each other.

Increasing the frequency of broadcasting leads to the fact that the signal fastens faster and goes worse through the walls. Such a signal freely extends to the area of \u200b\u200byour apartment / office, but before the "possessions" of the neighbor does not reach.

Before buying a 802.11 AC Router, make sure that all your rest equipment (smartphones, tablets, laptop) can also work in this frequency range. Otherwise, the router will operate in compatibility mode at 2.4 GHz and all its advantages will remain only on advertising prospect paper.

Popular manufacturers Wi-Fi routers and reviews

The top three largest producers of home routers includes ASUS, ZyXEL, TP-LINK. Each manufacturer will have devices for every taste and wallet, and even younger models will be equipped with branded "chips" making brand recognizable.

Zyxel

The company produces communications and network equipment not one dozen years. In the 90s, ZyXEL was famous for its excellent characteristics and uncompromising quality of telephone lines. At the moment, the company does not pass its position.

In the company's model range there are ADSL routers, repeaters, access points, managed switches. But the subject of special pride is the Keenetic series wireless routers.

For inexperienced users with low requirements, Keenetic Start routers are issued - single-band routers with a maximum speed of a 150 Mbps wireless network. The number of wired ports 4 or 2 (depending on the generation of the router). The use of a low high-speed processor has a pleasant side effect - the router is practically not heated when working, so it can be safely exploited by hot summer or in rooms with heavy climatic conditions.

Keenetic Start is the entry level router, but has a number of advantages that senior models cannot boast.

Buyers wishing to provide the Internet a small office or a multi-level private house, makes sense to stay on the Zyxel Keenetic II model. External antennas with 5 dB gain, wireless network speed up to 300 Mbps, as well as two USB ports will provide users with high-speed Internet and allow you to share network storage, printers and scanners.

Keenetic II provides high-speed Internet and make shared network storage, printers and scanners

Premium segment is represented by a powerful Keenetic Giga router. A dual-band, a four-tailed router is capable of reaching a wireless network speed up to 900 Mbps and connect computers over a twisted pair at a speed of 1 Gbps. High-performance dual-core processor and 128 Megabytes of RAM allow you to maintain a large number of connected users simultaneously without reducing speed.

Keenetic Giga allow you to simultaneously serve a large number of connected users without reducing speed

Wi-Fi Zyxel Keenetic router is an excellent idea and software, but the fried iron. Advantages: Programmers and firmware, site and technical support, the unmatched possibilities of the router of the Kinetic series. Disadvantages: iron. Where do you buy such fading chips? After a week, with a small mix Wi-Fi module (ZyXEL's access point, my netbook sees, and can not receive an IP address from the kinetics). With another router, everything is fine, netbook 100% is working. Rezet, flashing and all kinds of Wi-Fi settings did not help. True, the rest in the router (through a twisted pair) works like a clock, but still I took and passed the device to the guarantee (despite the fact that there was no one for another 2 weeks, the money refused to return money). I think just an annoying marriage of iron. All is well at Zyxel: programmers and firmware, site and technical support, the unmatched possibilities of the router of the kinetics series ... but iron. Where do you buy such fading chips? Sad to tip of the tail! Now wait for replacement month with nuts ...

http://otzovik.com/review_296931.html

Wi-Fi Router Zyxel Keenetic Giga III is a productive router with IEEE 802.11ac support. Advantages: Productive, Reliable, Simple and Convenient Settings, Wide Functional, Powerful Signal. Disadvantages: Exchangeable price. Router Zyxel Keenetic Giga III has a lot of functionality. And that is even more nice, it is not necessary to load the device with unused means. The firmware is modular, i.e., after switching on the desired feature, its support is loaded and control settings appear. Conveniently. All three buttons can be programmed at their discretion. With more than my needs (dual-band, port redirection, DMZ, powerful signal, MAC address filtering, FTP, DLNA, USB3 for external HDD). About the bad - the price bites, but I got almost free of charge (accumulated bonuses from the network rieteler).

https://otzovik.com/review_3077684.html

ASUS

ASUS manufactures a wide range of electronic and computer equipment. And although the routers are not in the upper lines of this list, there are worthy models in the router line, not inferior and even in something superior to competitors. True, this applies to the most part of the premium segment models.

The budget segment is represented by ASUS RT-N10 and ASUS RT-N10LX models. For today's standards, it is extremely low-performance devices with a small amount of RAM and a slow processor. Their older brother ASUS RT-N12 differs only by the presence of a second antenna that provides the speed of the wireless network to 300 Mbps. Routers are very "hot", their operation is hot summer without additional cooling is fraught with interruptions in the work, or even the output of devices.

ASUS RT-N12 is distinguished by the presence of a second antenna, providing a wireless network speed up to 300 Mbps

ASUS RT-N14U router can be called a classic middle segment representative. Router with an attractive design. Great will fit both in the interior of the apartment and the office. Two internal antennas allow you to develop a wireless network speed up to 300 Mbps, and the USB 2.0 port is to connect external hard drives, printers and 3G modems. The built-in AsusWRT is unified with the older line of routers and allows you to flexibly set the router to your needs. From disadvantages, an increased power consumption can be noted (the power supply is 12 V with a current of 1.5 A) and strong heat dissipation. When installing a router, find a place for it away from direct sunlight and with an air inflow, otherwise interruptions are possible.

ASUS RT-N14U has a pretty design and good characteristics.

ASUS premium-class devices are at the peak of progress: a large amount of RAM, 4 antennas for two ranges and the active cooling system allow such routers to work 24 hours a day for months, providing the Internet and the local network of the office. Such devices such devices will be at home from the exclusive gamers, web developers, coders and all those who need a fast and stable Internet channel. Users who want to buy a top router and save, should be closed to ASUS RT-N66U. Despite the age of venerable in modern standards, this three-heed dual-band unit and can now satisfy 99% of the sophisticated Internet user needs.

https://otzovik.com/review_1985797.html

Wi-Fi ASUS RT-N66U router is a high-speed router for the home network. Advantages: Brand, quality, power, signal strength, good software, many additional features. Disadvantages: price, heat heating. This is the second router, which appeared at my house instead of the broken, also Asusovsky. The fact is that the first had a rather low data transfer rate, and my spouse and I decided that there was no point to repair, it is better to take high-speed. So they stopped by reviews on the ASUS RT-N66U router. The Internet really flew, almost six months. And the router is quite tricky in many characteristics. As one day, the Internet began to break. I began to seek the reason in the provider, they love to disable the Internet. But this time the reason was in the router. We tested the router from two sides along with the network setup and it turned out that the Internet brakes the router. He turned on his seconds into two and cliff. Fortunately, we had a guarantee, we took the router to repair. I do not know what was with him, but I returned a completely new sealed router, which I am glad. It is better than it would be fixed. I hope that the new Asus RT-N66U router will serve me more than six months 🙂

Koala2014.
https://otzovik.com/review_1374681.html

TP-LINK.

TP-LINK, entering the market of the countries of the former CIS, put a task to offer buyers routers at a price lower than competitors, but with similar technical characteristics. This was partly succeeded, especially in the budget segment, where the user considers each ruble. In the niche of the average price category, the rupture is no longer so obvious, and some functions are added, rather, for the "tick". As an example, you can bring the TL-WR842N router. It is equipped with a USB port, but regular software allows you to connect only the printer to it. Nevertheless, TP-Link routers are reliable and unpretentious. No wonder Internet providers to install their customers buy them by thousands.

The budget segment is represented by the "classic genre" - the TP-LINK TL-WR741N router. This is a simple single-band device equipped with a wireless module at a speed of 150 Mbps and four ports for connecting twisted pair. The amount of memory and the speed of the processor allow you to distribute the Internet for 4-5 customers without reducing speed, so this router buy not only home, but also in small offices. For users who will not connect to the router more than two devices (computer + smartphone), a simplified version of the router is released - TL-WR720. His wired ports are only two, and the antenna is internal.

TL-WR741N buy not only home, but in small offices

The average price category includes the eighth and ninth series routers (841n, 842n, 941n, 942n). All dual-band devices. The eighth series is equipped with two antennas (access speed up to 300 Mbps), and ninth - three (its speed is one and a half times higher). The best model in the segment is the TL-WR942N router. Increased RAM and extended software allows you to flexibly use the built-in USB port for both network storage and to create a backup Internet channel in a bundle with a 3G modem.

TL-WR942N is a balanced solution for home and small office

The line of premium routers is represented by TP-Link Archer. Routers will provide you with high-speed Internet (1 Gbit / s) and allow working with wireless networks of the range of 2.4 and 5 GHz, and will also create a backup channel using a 3G modem. Depending on the model, the routers can be equipped with three, four and even six high-performance antennas, which will allow the wireless network to work to work even in the cluster ether of the office center or apartment building. And the use of MEDIATEK energy-efficient processors as the "heart" of the router allows the router to remain cold even hot summer, working steadily and without failures.

Archer C3200 is a combination of advanced technical solutions and a futuristic appearance

Wi-Fi router TP-LINK Archer C1200 - reliable Internet access and not only. Advantages: reliable work, multifunctionality, renewability, price. Disadvantages: minor when working at a frequency of 5GHz. The router is a very important home device, it depends on the Internet access to all home devices. If the router does not work or works with failures, it will notice every member of your family. Consequently, the choice of a router needs to be suitable as carefully and weighted. The device must be reliable, functional and if possible inexpensive. Many of the functions of professional routers for home are not required and adversely affected. For many years we have remained adherents of D-Link technology, but with high functionality and peculiar ones, it is very sensitive to comfortable working conditions. The previous D-Link router in winter during the included central heating was very often in a reboot, so it was decided together with a stationary computer replacement, conduct a router change. And this time chose another TP-LINK company, and for more than a two-month daily work, he showed itself excellent. It was never restarted, even after replacing the computer to a more powerful, respectively, the braking is also more intense. The TP-LINK Archer C1200 router itself also has a non-critical heat temperature of the body that does not cause problems with performance in the sense of hanging and care for an unauthorized reboot. What is especially lacked in the previous D-Link router, these are the power on and off buttons. I had to hang out the power connector, and it is incorrect. There is a special convenient button, only now the restart on this reliable equipment is not needed. And if this is done for some reason, it is better to do this through a working device. The router provides good DDNS support. When changing a dynamic IP address can always be contacted, find your personal computer or any other device of your home network on the huge Internet spaces using the standard Internet link. I often use it to transfer photos from the smartphone to the Intel NUC Boxnuc 7I7BNH mini-computer. TP-LINK Archer provides parental control. It allows you to limit access to the Internet to any home network device at the specified time and day of the week. For example, you do not want a child to play in your absence on the Internet instead of doing lessons on weekdays of your absence, for this we set the parameters of the restriction and sit at work calmly. You can connect a wireless modem in case, if it suddenly turned off wired internet or it is not in principle. But the manufacturer does not guarantee stable work with all wireless modems. If you know the wireless Internet connection, it is better to immediately take another device, it is 100% suitable for this type of connection containing an already built-in modem that needs only insert a SIM card. The TP-LINK C1200 flush card inserted into the TP-LINK router becomes accessible to view from any home device and serves as the so-called media center. But we do not really need it, because our network has a more advanced device, namely, the D-Link network storage with great capabilities and volumes of stored information. You can connect a printer to the router that allows printing from any home device, but here you need to specify the compatibility of the devices in the list on the manufacturer's website. Support for two ranges of Wi-Fi network 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Of these, the new network is 5 GHz and it is good because its channel is not busy due to the fact that he did not enter the offense tightly, few people still use it. However, it is sensitive to obstacles - it is his and plus, and a minus at the same time.

Kirill2013.
https://otzovik.com/review_5839613.html

Feedback: Wi-Fi TP-LINK TL-WR720N - Light Router - Easy Internet. Advantages: price, weight, simplicity. Disadvantages: short LAN cable. If you do not want any problems with the Internet, buy a router. Now so many different models, for every taste and wallet. I chose the cheapest, I repent. In addition, an additional advantage for me was the absence of this model Rozhkin antennas. The internal antenna completely copes. On the box with the router there is almost all information about the product. Rotate it in all directions, you know everything about the model. In addition, there is a quick connection guide and a quick setup wizard. Russian language in the manual (as well as on the disk) is presented. Quick connection is not a duty word in the manual. I took the whole process literally a couple of minutes. Step-by-step instructions do not give anywhere to turn anywhere. So he, my router, works in all his barking, having fun winking LEDs and shifting megabits and gigabit information. Rear ports for connecting: one WAN port, two LAN ports. Someone will seem, which is not enough. I have enough for one laptop (two at the same time does not happen here). And the tablet Wi-Fi uses. Immediately the power socket and the reset button, surprisingly, not recessed, but tight. Accidentally do not lose. The lower part contains only information about the model and loop for mounting the router on the wall. But the hands have not yet reached. Let's summarize. A completely elegant model of the router for such a price, although done in the Middle Kingdom. Fast, easy and comfortable. The only negative is a short LAN cable, but it is easily corrected by the translation of the laptop on Wi-Fi.

Misha_Bear.
https://otzovik.com/review_388648.html

Connecting and configuring Wi-Fi Router

Thanks to the friendly software of most routers, their configuration is simple and is accessible to even an unprepared user. Consider connecting the router on the example of TP-LINK devices:

Configure a computer network card to automatically receive a network address and DNS addresses. The easiest way to do this by entering the "Netsh Interface IP Set Address" Local Area Connection "DHCP in the" command prompt "of DHCP.
Connect the provider cable to the socket, indicated by WAN or Internet, and a laptop or computer using a cable-patchkord attach to any free connector with the LAN designation.
For the initial setup, the provider cable must be inserted into the slot, designated WAN or Internet, and the PC / laptop attach to the LAN design connector
Entering the browser in the address bar 192.168.1.1, open the router web interface. From the list of partitions on the left side of the window, select "Fast Settings". On the first screen, simply click the Next button.
The quick setup wizard will be the best connection option for an inexperienced user.
On the next screen, select Country, City, Internet Provider Name and WAN connection from drop-down lists. If your provider is not in the list, install the checkbox "I did not find suitable settings" and click the Next button.
Connection type to the provider can be selected from the list.
Enter the username and password from the Treaty with the Internet Provider. If your tariff plan includes a digital television service, select Advanced Secondary Connection Type: Static Address or Dynamic. Click "Next".
Login and password to access the Internet can be found in the contract with your provider
If your provider provides a connection with a connection to the MAC address of the network card, clone the address of the computer's network card to the router WAN interface.
Be sure to clone the MAC address if your provider requires
For routers equipped with a USB port, you can select a 3G modem as a backup channel. The router will switch to it if the main WAN interface is unavailable. Select a mobile service provider and fill in all fields in the dialog box.
Note the ranges in which the router is allowed to operate
Enter the name of the wireless network and password access to it, then click the Next button. If the dual-band router, a similar setting window will open for 5 GHz band.
For two or three minutes, the router will apply the settings, connects to the provider channel and will be ready for operation.

Video: How to configure TP-LINK router

In the correct formulation of the issue contains 90% of the response. In advance, finding out the requirements of the Internet provider to client equipment, deciding where the router will work and which devices will be connected to it, you can choose a router with balanced characteristics, without spending a lot of money and ensuring its home network to stable and uninterrupted work.