26. 06.2017

Dmitry Vassiyarov's blog.

Router - what is it and how is it used?

Hello.

Every modern Internet user should know what a router is. After all, with its help, you can connect to the Network most quickly, conveniently and stably. All the necessary information about this device, including its types, principle of operation and the basics of selection, you will find in this article.

A router is ...

Through routers, humankind enjoys such a blessing as Wi-Fi. You say that the connection is through a router? Right. So what is the difference between a router and a router? No. It's the same thing, just "router" - a more ingrained English word that means "router" in Russian.

In scientific words, it is a specialized device with two or more network interfaces, the task of which is to forward data packets between different network segments.

It is easier to translate this into understandable language using the example of what role it plays when connecting to the Internet. Therefore, we read further.

What is it for?

Let's say you want to bring the Internet to your home. The provider puts one cable into your home. But you use not only a computer, but also a smartphone, tablet, and want to organize a wireless connection with the printer. Theoretically, it can be connected by cable to each device. However, this will not only be expensive, but wires will spread throughout the house, which does not look aesthetically pleasing. What to do?

It is necessary to bring the cable into one access point, which will distribute the Internet to all devices. The router acts in its role. Thus, its purpose is to distribute the Internet over the air, which it receives through the cable of the provider or the mobile network.

In particular, a broadband router enables two or more computers to receive data packets from the Internet at once under one IP address.

The functions of the router are not limited to this. It is also required for organizing a wireless LAN. That is, thanks to him, you can exchange data over Wi-Fi between gadgets and control them remotely.

For example, you don't need to use a USB cable to download photos from your phone to your laptop or from your computer to tell the printer to print a document. All this can be done wirelessly, provided that each device has a Wi-Fi adapter.

You can also organize a bridge between two access points, but not all models are suitable for this purpose, but only with the support of this option. This is necessary to expand the range of routers.

Operating principle

Do you want to know how exactly the distribution of the Internet is carried out by the router? The essence of the work lies in the name of the device. It assigns routes of data streams to connected devices, evenly distributing the speed between them.

Technically, it happens like this: in the internal memory of the router there is a routing table in which the most optimal paths to gadgets are selected. To do this, the router periodically sends test requests to each of them, thereby calculating the time it takes for the data packet to reach the addressee. This is how they work DHCP servers- the most popular dynamic routers.

But there are situations when it is necessary to register the paths manually in order to set the exact address for a certain technique. This helps to avoid errors in table synchronization, and thus to provide more stable and secure connection... This way of working is called static routing.

Types of routers

First of all, routers are distinguished by the Wi-Fi connection standard. At the moment there are 5. The name of each begins with 802.11, but differs in a letter at the end (a, b, g, n, ac). The difference between the two is the data transfer rate. This is also influenced by the number of antennas.
For example, the fastest and most modern standard is 802.11n. If it has 1 antenna, the speed will be 55 Mbit / s, 2 - 110 Mbit / s, 3 - 165 Mbit / s and 4 - 220 Mbit / s.

As for other standards, then:

• "A" is used primarily by providers;
• "B" practically does not occur anymore, since it has a low speed;
• "G" is faster, but is no longer relevant by today's standards;
• "Ac" has just started to be implemented, but it is also used only by Internet providers so far.

When buying, consider this rule: the speed of the router should not be less than the one provided to you by the provider. Otherwise, you will only get the one with which the device allows you to work, and you will pay more.

Other characteristics

Knowing the basic parameters that routers have and, in fact, differ, it will be easy for you to choose the one that suits you. So:

• Data reception and transmission range. For home and office, they buy 2.4 GHz devices, which are labeled with the number 2. Less popular are 5 GHz (“a” and “ac” standards). They are more often used by providers to supply the Internet when it is impossible to lay wires. Such devices are marked with the number 5. There are routers that support both of these bands or others, for example, 3 GHz.

• Data encryption standards. Often, modern routers support such standards as WEP (the most vulnerable to hacking), WPA (assumes 128-bit encryption keys), WPA2 (the key size is doubled compared to the previous version).
• Number of LAN ports. The router can distribute the Internet not only over the air, but also through cables. There are special connectors for them, the number of which is different. Stationary computers and equipment such as a printer, scanner, etc. are usually connected via wires. Depending on how much of it you have, choose the number of LAN interfaces.

• Signal strength. If you live in a large house and plan to place the router behind several load-bearing walls from a place where you often spend time on the Internet, you need to take a device with an antenna of at least 5 dBi.
• Network connection type. Are you going to go online over a mobile network? Then you need a 3G / 4G / LTE router. For cable connection ( twisted pair) you need an Ethernet model - this is the most popular option, and the fiber is connected via SFP devices. In villages and the private sector, EPON / GEPON / GPON routers are used.
  Less common models are xDSL - it works through a telephone cable, DOCSIS - through a television, and just Wi-Fi, which connects to the provider without wires.

Additional functions

Also, routers can have advanced functionality, namely:

• Built-in Firewall. Protects your connection from hacking.
• The presence of a USB port. Through it you can external drives, peripheral equipment, mobile modem as an additional access point.

• IPTV support. To watch internet TV channels.
• Built-in torrent client.
• Traffic shaper. Prioritizes the allocation of data channels.
• VPN tunnels support. Thanks to him, you can create virtual network with a remote office.

I think now you will have no problem choosing a router according to your individual needs.

Today, the Internet is available in almost every second apartment in our country. The Internet is developing at a tremendous pace, just like the technology of its transmission is developing. If in the late nineties and until the middle of the two thousandth years the Internet speed was measured in kilobytes, at the end of the two thousandth - in megabits, now there is a transition in the calculation of the Internet speed as much as gigabytes! If earlier access to the Internet was carried out only by wires, now data transmission can also occur wirelessly.
Next, we will look at the following questions:

What is a Wi-Fi router for?

A Wi-Fi router is necessary in order to provide access to the Internet for several devices at the same time. That is, if you have several devices on which you want to configure access to the Internet, then you need a router. If some of these devices support data exchange using Wi-Fi technology, then you need not a simple router, but a Wi-Fi router.
A Wi-Fi router is a network device to which the Internet is connected in order to distribute it to multiple devices. The distribution of the Internet is carried out both via LAN and Wi-Fi. Thus, if you have at home: a computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone and with the ability to access the Internet, then a Wi-Fi router will help you. In those devices that do not have a Wi-Fi module, they connect to the router via LAN.

How to choose a Wi-Fi router

ManufacturerWi-Fi router
In principle, the choice of a router, first of all, must be made on the basis of its technical characteristics, but the company also plays an important role. Therefore, we advise you to select the parameters of the router, initially narrowing their choice to such companies as: ASUS, D-link, HP, TP-LINK.
Wi-Fi standard
The Wi-Fi network standard has 4 types:

• 802.11 a - transmits data at speeds up to 54 Mbps;


• 802.11 b - transmits data at speeds up to 11 Mbps;


• 802.11 g - transmits data at speeds up to 54 Mbps;


• 802.11 n - transmits data at speeds up to 600 Mbps;


• 802.11 ac - data transmission reaches speeds over 1 Gbps.

We recommend purchasing a Wi-Fi router with a network standard of at least 802.11 n.
Maximum connection speed
Pay attention to such a parameter as the maximum connection speed, so that the router does not limit your Internet speed. That is, if your tariff plan is, say, 60 Megabits, and the bandwidth of the router is only 30, then the channel will be cut in half by the router. Try to choose a Wi-Fi router, the real connection speed of which will exceed the speed of your tariff plan. In addition to the official data on the speed of the router, there are real ones, you can find them out from user reviews on the Internet.
Router and DHCP Server
Router (Router) - provides simultaneous access to all devices connected to it. Each device connected to the router is assigned an internal ip-address by the DHCP server, this allows you to connect multiple devices using one external ip-address.
The router configures the work with the provider, or as they say "picks up the connection", and is a buffer between it and your home network devices.
Wi-Fi range
The range of a Wi-Fi network is a parameter that defines the boundaries of the range of a Wi-Fi network. This indicator is abstract, since it is calculated from ideal conditions (no walls and partitions, no radio and magnetic interference, etc.). Therefore, if the manufacturer indicates the range of the router at 100 m, then in real conditions (in an apartment) the range will be approximately 20 m. To ensure stable work Wi-Fi channel, give preference to a router with a wide range. Consider what better quality Wi-Fi network, the higher the data transfer rate.

Antennas
The data transfer rate depends on the number of antennas in the Wi-Fi router. If the device has one antenna, then it works both for receiving and transmitting data, and when other devices are connected to Wi-Fi, the router will need to reduce the speed in order to ensure the correct operation of data transmission.
Two antennas in the router work as follows - one for transmitting, the other for receiving, which allows you to split the streams and at the same time maintain the maximum speed.
A Wi-Fi router with three antennas works in this way: one antenna for receiving, two others for transmitting, and due to this, a stable and high speed of data exchange is ensured.
The maximum possible number of antennas in a Wi-Fi router is 6 pieces. Accordingly, the more antennas in the device, the better the Wi-Fi network will work.
When choosing a Wi-Fi router, pay attention to the fact that the antennas in it are removable, as this will allow you to install more powerful separate antennas instead of them in order to increase the range of the Wi-Fi network.
Data encryption method
To ensure that no one can connect to your Wi-Fi network, data encryption is used. Today there are 2 methods of data encryption: WEP and WPA. As a rule, the vast majority of routers include both of these encryption methods, but the WPA encryption method is considered to be the best of them - it is more reliable.
Availability USB interface
The USB connector in the Wi-Fi router allows you to connect other devices to it. For example, you can connect an external hard drive or flash drive in order to open access to the files on it for all devices from the network. Also, a printer can be connected to the USB connector to open access to other network devices. You can also connect a 3G modem to the USB connector, but for this the router must support this function.
Ability to connect a 3G modem
The presence of a USB interface in a Wi-Fi router does not mean that it will work with a 3G modem, for this it must be implemented special opportunity... If you have this opportunity, you will be able to share the 3G Internet access to several devices. This is necessary for those who do not have the opportunity to connect a stationary provider, or 3G Internet is a substitute option in case of problems with a stationary one.
ADSL support
If you are connected to ADSL Internet, we recommend purchasing a Wi-Fi router with ADSL support. Due to this, in addition to routing, your router will also perform the functions of an ADSL modem, and you will not need to use 2 devices: an ADSL modem and a Wi-Fi router - both of these devices will be in one.
Number of switch ports
One more important parameter- the number of switch ports. As a rule, most access points include 4 Ethernet ports, thanks to which you can also build a wired network. For example: stationary computers, TV, receiver, you can connect to Ethernet ports, and smartphone, tablet and laptop - to Wi-Fi, and all these devices will be on the same network, only connected in different ways.
Remember that the speed of data exchange via Ethernet is better and faster than via Wi-Fi, which is why it is better to connect stationary computer equipment via Ethernet.

Port speed
As we said above, today the data exchange rate is calculated in gigabits. Most providers provide a maximum Internet access speed of up to 100 Mbit / s, but technologies are developing and therefore, very soon, the Internet access speed will already be in the hundreds of megabits, and this requires a Wi-Fi router that will support gigabit networks.
If you are an active Internet user, we recommend choosing a router whose port speed (WAN and LAN) is 1000 Mbps, this will allow the router to remain relevant for as long as possible. If you are going to watch HD-quality movies that are on your computer on your TV, then your local network connection must also be gigabit. But keep in mind that such routers are much more expensive.
If you do not need high speed, then give preference to a router with a speed of 100 Mbps.
Web interface
Thanks to the presence of a Web interface, you can configure the router through a browser, that is, the settings menu will be in the form of a Web site.
Flashing capability
As a rule, all routers have the ability to update the software (firmware). In fact, the firmware is the operating system of the device that organizes its operation. New firmware versions include fixing any errors in the device and expanding its functionality. Therefore, choose a router that can be easily flashed and for which new firmware versions are created.

How to choose a Wi-Fi router

How to choose a budget router

TP-LINK TL-WR743ND
This model of Wi-Fi router has a low price and at the same time includes good technical characteristics. The router is suitable for those who do not need a high data transfer rate, and the main task is to organize the access of home devices to the network.
TP-LINK TL-WR743ND includes: 4 LAN ports with a speed of 100 Mbps for connecting devices via network cable and 1 WAN port with a speed of 100 Mbps for connecting an ISP. Supports the 802.11n wireless standard, has 1 detachable antenna. Security features include protection against DoS attacks and the WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK encryption system. Maximum speed Wi-Fi connections- 150 Mbps.
Device price: 1000 rubles.

How to choose a Wi-Fi router for your home

TP-LINKTL-WR1043ND
If you do not know which router to choose for your home, then this is the most the best option... TL-WR1043ND combines high speed data transfer and high quality Wi-Fi network signal.
The router is equipped with 4 Gigabit LAN ports and one Gigabit WAN port, there is also 1 USB port. Wireless standard - 802.11n, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK encryption. It is worth noting the presence of 3 removable antennas. The maximum speed over Wi-Fi is 300 Mbps. Implemented support for IPTV.
Device price: 2000 rubles.

Which router is the best

ASUSRT-AC66U
The best router for today is the ASUS RT-AC66U router, its advantage lies in the fact that it has a high bandwidth and a low price compared to its analogues.
The router has 4 LAN ports at 1 Gigabit / s, 1 Gigabit WAN port and 2 USB ports. Works on the 802.11ac wireless standard, providing Wi-Fi speeds up to 1300 Mbps. The router has 3 dual-band antennas. Data encryption type - WPA2-PSK and below. In addition, the router has: DoS protection, network filter, address filter and port filter. Implemented support for IPTV.
Router price: 6000 rubles.

One of the most popular devices for users today home internet Is a Wi-Fi router. There is a wide range of routers from different manufacturers on the market, so it can be difficult for an ordinary user to understand such a variety of models. We'll help you choose the Wi-Fi router that's right for your home, as well as the selection factors that need to be considered. In addition, we present you a rating of the top 5 best routers on the Russian market.

Basic rules for choosing a router for home

A router or router is a device with which PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc. connect to a wireless network and connect to the Internet. It can be difficult to choose an inexpensive, but high-quality router, you need to take into account the whole a number of criteria for choosing a device... After all, buying a "pig in a poke", you won nothing. So, the main criteria:

• price- on Internet forums, many advise you to choose from the cheapest routers, arguing that all devices are the same, support the same functions, etc., etc. So why, they say, pay more ?! In reality, this is not so - high-quality assembly, high performance, good components and high reliability are present only in relatively expensive models. And cheap parts are put in cheap ones, their reception is much worse, and the Wi-Fi coverage is small. In addition, budget routers often break down more often than expensive ones, although this rule does not always work. If you can afford a more expensive router, then give preference to it;
• the brand- there is a whole line of brands of routers, but their products have proven themselves in different ways. For example, D-Link is considered one of the main manufacturers of budget routers, but its products are not particularly reliable. Experts and ordinary users name several manufacturers whose products are the best on the market: Linksys (fairly expensive routers, but high quality and reliable), Asus (according to reviews, it takes leading places among manufacturers of many devices, including routers), Zyxel (produces at least several models excellent routers), TP-Link (produces low-cost, but high-quality and reliable router models);
• specifications ... First of all, choose routers with normal "stuffing" - RAM (at least 64 MB), processor (300 MHz or more), FLASH-memory (from 16 MB). Also pay attention to the power of the device, the presence and number of antennas;
• internet access protocols ... Pay attention to the most important detail - protocol support. The fact is that different providers use different protocols to provide Internet access: PPTP, L2TP, PPPoE. It is necessary that the purchased router be sure to support the protocol that your provider uses. To do this, ask your Internet provider for the necessary data, and then check that the technical specifications of the router indicate the same protocol;
• WAN port and Internet connection technology ... Routers also differ in what port (WAN port) is used to connect to the Network: Ethernet, ADSL, USB 3G. This is a very important factor of choice, because if you cannot connect the Internet cable to the router, then the money will be wasted;
• standards- Today, the newest Wi-Fi standard is mainly used: 802.11n. It is already fully operational and the corresponding devices are being released, so there is no point in buying outdated routers that support 802.11b or 802.11g.

Router with ADSL port

Router with Ethernet port

Router with USB 3G port

What is fraught with the wrong choice of a router

Why is it so important to choose the right and right router for me? Can't you take the first one that comes in handy for the price? What happens if I buy a router without delving into its technical characteristics?

Let's take a look at these questions, because the average buyer doesn't understand network devices, but simply comes to the store and asks the seller for advice. In fact, this is fraught with the fact that money will be wasted. If you buy a router that has the wrong plug and doesn't work with your ISP, you have to, at best, hand it back to the store. And if the goods cannot be returned, then you will generally lose the money you spent. But there are other situations when the router does not fit, and the user does not even notice this or simply resigned himself, thinking that there is no better option.

For example, many devices have insufficient power, they are designed to distribute the Internet within the boundaries of one room, and the signal no longer passes through the wall. Thus, be sure to pay attention to the power of the router and the number of antennas, external or built-in. It is not worth saving on power, even if at the moment you do not need a coverage area of ​​100 meters.

An unsuitable router may also cut internet speed... That is, the provider offers you access to the Network at a speed of 10 Mbps in both directions. You check your speed, and it turns out that it barely reaches 8 Mbps for uploads and 4 Mbps for uploading. The first thing the user will do is accuse the operator of cheating. But it is likely that the matter is completely different - in your router, which simply does not support a higher operating speed. That is why you should find out what the maximum download and upload speed is available for a given router model.

In addition, a low-quality or low-power router can regularly hang, reboot, or just drop the connection... This makes it extremely difficult to use the Internet, and it seriously gets on your nerves. Therefore, it is better to overpay a little, but get a high quality device.

Another problem with a number of routers is small Wi-Fi coverage... In this case, it happens that the signal no longer passes through the wall, or the router only covers an area of ​​several square meters. Of course, such a device is not suitable for owners of a large apartment or private house. After all, one of the delights of living in a private house or in the country is to go out into the yard and use the Internet away from cables and routers. Therefore, a router for such needs should be chosen more powerful, with a good Wi-Fi transmitter.

Even if you don't understand technical issues work of the router or to consult with no one, then you can always go to the Internet and flip through forums, reviews in online stores and specialized sites. There you will find all the information about the operation of different routers in a simple user form. On these resources, you can, among other things, learn about the advantages and disadvantages different models, about methods of solving problems that arise, etc.

Zyxel Keenetic

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet, USB 3G.

Interfaces: 5 RJ-45 connectors (10BASE-T / 100BASE-T) with automatic cable type detection; 1 x USB 2.0 type A; 2 RP-SMA sockets for connecting external Wi-Fi antennas.

IPTV support: Yes.

Number of antennas: 2.

Antenna Design: Removable.

Security features: Firewall (SPI) with DoS protection and DDoS attacks... Blocking Internet access based on MAC address, IP address, URL, TCP / UDP ports.

Other functions: TVport technology - multicast streams transit in automatic mode and without wasting CPU time when assigning a LAN connector. Link Duo - simultaneous access to the Internet (L2TP / PPTP / PPPoE) and to the local network resources of the DHCP provider (client / server). Working with a static IP address. IP routing. NAT (Restricted Cone) IP address translation. Route table (DHCP / manual)

Dimensions and weight: 162 x 114 x 33 mm, 280 g.

Average price: 2 thousand rubles.

Linksys E3200

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet.

Interfaces: 1 x WAN / 4 x Gigbit Ethernet / 1 x USB 2.0.

Wireless capabilities: IEEE 802.11n.

Number of antennas: 6.

VPN functions: VPN pass through.

Security features: Data encryption: WEP, WPA, WPA2.

Firewall functions: Built-in firewall, NAT.

Other features: Ability to connect a 3G modem. Guest network.

Dimensions and weight: 190 x 170 x 25 mm, 215 g.

Average price: 4.5 thousand rubles.

Asus RT-N56U

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet, USB 3G.

Interfaces: 4 x RJ-45 10/100/1000 Mbps, 2 x USB 2.0

Wireless Capabilities: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n.

Protocol support: PPTP, L2TP, PPPoE.

IPTV support: Yes.

Number of antennas: 2 x for 2.4 GHz, 3 x for 5 GHz.

Antenna Design: Built-in.

Security Features: Filtering: Port, IP Packets, Keyword URL, MAC Address. Supports 64/128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise

Firewall functions: NAT and SPI.

Other functions: Sharing 3G internet by multiple users.

Dimensions and weight: 172 x 145 x 60 mm, 330 g.

Average price: 4.4 thousand rubles.

TP-Link TL-WR841ND

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet.

Interfaces: 4 10 / 100M LAN ports (RJ45 type), 1 10 / 100M WAN port (RJ45 type).

Wireless Capabilities: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n.

Protocol support: PPPoE.

Number of antennas: 2.

Antenna Design: Removable.

VPN tunnels support: Yes.

Other functions: Maximum radius of action - 270 m.

Dimensions and weight: 200 x 140 x 28 mm.

Average price: 1 thousand rubles.

TP-LINK TL-WR340GD

Specifications

WAN port: Ethernet.

Interfaces: 4 x RJ-45 10/100 Ethernet LAN ports.

Wireless capabilities: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g.

Protocol support: L2TP, PPPoE.

Number of antennas: 1 (5dBi).

Antenna Design: Removable.

VPN Features: VPN Pass Through.

Security features: WEP 64/128/152-bit, WPA / WPA2, WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK (TKIP / AES).

Other functions: Virtual Server. DMZ hosting. UPnP. Remote web management.

Dimensions and weight: 160 x 102 x 28 mm.

Average price: 1 thousand rubles.

In the modern world, the presence of the Internet in the home of an ordinary person has become the norm. Many in the family have two or even three computers, and even a bunch of newfangled gadgets. A problem arises - how to provide access to Internet resources for all these devices.

The simplest, but, nevertheless, effective way is to install a distributing device - a router. A number of questions arise before an unprepared user. What types of routers are there? What to look for when buying a router? Which manufacturer to choose? So let's try to consider the key points when choosing a dispenser.

What is a router?

A router is electronic device, designed to connect a number of computers to a network, and also capable of receiving the Internet and distributing it to all devices on the network.

Router appearance

By purpose, routers can be divided into two types: amateur (those that are used for home use) and professional (used for industrial use). If you plan to use the router only at home, then the amateur option is suitable. He will cope with all the tasks assigned to him, while having a low price - from about $ 30 to $ 100.

Rear panel of the router

If we consider routers from the side of the provider's data transmission technology, then three groups can be distinguished:

• ADSL routers - these devices are connected to a regular telephone line. This is very convenient because no additional wires are needed. ADSL routers allow receiving data at a speed of up to 10 Mb / s, and transmitting up to 700 Kb / s, which at this stage in the development of data transmission technologies is not a good result.
• Ethernet routers - here a special cable (twisted pair) is brought into your house, which consists of two lines providing simultaneous reception and transmission of a signal. Thanks to this, the transmission and reception speed increases up to 100 Mb / s. At this stage, this is the most reliable and efficient way to access the Internet.
• LTE routers are devices that work with 3G and 4G networks. The signal to these devices does not come through wires, but through the air, through a radio signal. But now this type of communication is still very expensive and the speed of reception and transmission is not very high. This type of connection will be good for those users who often travel on business or where there is no access to the first two types of connection.

Router operation

According to the data transmission medium, routers are divided into: wired (all devices in the network are connected only with wires), wireless (the network is assembled using Wi-Fi technology) and mixed (the network can work both by wire and by Wi-Fi). Usually, a mixed type of routers is chosen for the home.

Choosing a router

After reviewing the above information, you can go directly to the choice of a router, but before that, you should familiarize yourself with some recommendations that will help you make the right choice.

Network access protocols

First, decide on the protocols provided by the provider, it can be: PPPoE, PPTP, and maybe L2TP. Not all routers support the latter protocol, so contact your ISP to find out this information.

Price question

This is the second, but also very important question. Before making a purchase, you should decide on the amount that you are willing to allocate for the purchase of this device. It is worth considering the fact that low-end models are not of very good quality, which is fraught with disconnections, speed cuts, or even complete failure. Therefore, it is better to make a purchase in large proven stores, in the middle price category.

Your needs

Choose a device according to the speed provided by your provider, as well as your traffic consumption. Agree, why buy a powerful router if your speed does not exceed a couple of megabits per second, and you are not going to watch "super-online" videos, why overpay.

Wi-Fi protocol support

Now the most common wireless communication protocol is the IEEE 802.11g protocol. It provides speeds up to 54 Mb / s and is suitable to work with all newfangled gadgets. But the technology does not stand still and large manufacturers are increasingly introducing new standard- IEEE 802.11n capable of operating at speeds up to 300 Mb / s.

Consumed content

If you want to simultaneously download several movies and at the same time freely surf the Internet, then your device must have at least 64 MB random access memory and a processor with a frequency of 400MHz or higher.

All the necessary technical information can be found on the manufacturer's website.

Wi-Fi coverage

Determine the desired wireless coverage distances. If you have a one-room apartment and you are not going to distribute the Internet to your neighbors, then why do you need powerful transmitter Wi-Fi. But if you have large "mansions" or you live in a private house and are going to transmit the Internet throughout the yard, then you should take care of additional power.

Wi-Fi signal propagation

Protecting your network

To protect networks, encryption protocols are used: WEP (an outdated protocol, it is little used because it is "easily cracked") and WPA (at this stage, the most common encryption protocol, it is considered invulnerable to hacking). A new encryption method has also appeared, this is WPA2 - an improved version of WPA.

In the distant past, there are days when there was only one personal computer in the house. In addition to a PC / laptop, the average family has a couple of smartphones, a tablet, and a smart TV. How to connect all this equipment to the Internet, if the Internet provider's cable can be designed for only one device? A specialized computer comes to the rescue - a wireless router.

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

Any home user sooner or later comes to the idea of ​​integrating all their devices into a local network. This will allow you to organize network storage for music and movies, share a printer or scanner, and even build a home video surveillance system. However, the main task will remain to ensure shared access of devices to the provider's Internet channel.

Sooner or later, each user comes to the idea of ​​combining all their devices into a local network

To create a home local network and provide shared Internet access, the industry has long produced specialized single-board computers - routers or routers. They are able to receive data from an ISP and distribute traffic across all available devices. Routers equipped with ports for connecting wired clients and a wireless module Wi-Fi connection, easy to tie in single network all your gadgets, and after initial setup will be able to work for months without shutdown.

How a wireless router works

The principle of operation of a wireless router is to receive traffic from an Internet provider and distribute it to clients on the home network. The router software distributes traffic evenly to avoid speed drops in the work of each connected user. Using the settings, you can restrict the access of any connected client to certain Internet resources (blacklist) or allow access to the network strictly certain time(relevant for child users). All router settings are made through a graphical add-on over the software - a web interface. It opens in any internet browser just like a normal website.

AsusWRT is a visual shell for ASUS routers

The appearance of the router, the purpose of connectors and ports

The router is a stand-alone device in closed case with external or internal (hidden in the case) antennas. The back panel of the router contains most of the service connectors:

Also on the rear panel can be located power and reset buttons to factory settings. The button for creating a secure wireless connection is usually located on the front or side of the case and has an LED activity indicator.

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

Types of routers

Currently, an Internet service provider can provide an inbound channel using a wide variety of equipment. It can be a traditional twisted pair UTP-8, copper "noodle" telephone line, coaxial tv cable or modern fiber optic. There may be no cable at all if your provider is a mobile operator. Different types of routers are used depending on the type of the incoming channel.

ADSL Modem Routers

Among cable networks, telephone networks are confidently leading in terms of prevalence. There are wired telephones in the most remote and remote corners of the country. It would be unwise for ISPs to ignore such an extensive cable structure. As a result of this, ADSL technology was born, which allows transmitting at high speed over a pair of copper wires not only the sound signal of the telephone line, but also data. The data channel is asynchronous - the reception speed (about 20-30 Mbit / s) is almost an order of magnitude higher than the transmission speed (about 3-5 Mbit / s).

DLINK DSL-2650 shows speeds up to 30 Mbps over a telephone line, has two USB ports and perfectly shares the Internet via Wi-Fi

Routers designed to work with such lines have a built-in ADSL modem on board and a corresponding port for connecting a telephone line. It can be as simple and cheap devices, not equipped with a wireless module, and 2-antenna mid-range devices that allow you to connect to a wireless network at speeds up to 300 Mbps. In the premium segment, ADSL routers are not represented, since the communication channel itself is very average in terms of speed characteristics, and a high-performance router will work "idle".

Twisted Pair (Ethernet) Routers

The largest family of routers are twisted-pair (Ethernet) routers. The ability to transfer data at speeds up to 1 Gbit / s, the cheapness of the cable and the ease of installation make twisted pair networks the most common. Therefore, a router for such a connection can be chosen for every taste and wallet.

The most inexpensive models are equipped with one non-removable antenna and provide a wireless network speed of up to 150 Mbps, allowing up to 10 clients (in theory) and 2-4 computers to be connected over the air using a twisted pair cable at speeds up to 100 Mbps.

TP-LINK TL-WR740ND is equipped with one non-detachable antenna and provides wireless speed up to 150 Mbps

Advanced routers are equipped with three or four high-gain antennas, and support for 802.11 b / g / n and ac data transmission protocols allows you to achieve maximum wireless transmission data up to 900 Mbps. The ports for connecting using a twisted pair pair of such devices are gigabit both for connecting clients and for connecting to a provider. One or more USB 2.0 ports for external hard drives, 3G modems and other peripherals.

TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND is a powerful three-antenna router with speeds up to 450 Mbps

3G / 4G routers

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

The 3G router fits easily into a trouser pocket and can run for several hours from the built-in battery

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

Routers with GPON interface

Despite the fact that most of the “last mile” cable routes (wiring from the client to the ISP switch) are implemented using 8-wire twisted pair Ethernet, more and more new routes are laid by providers using fiber optic cables. Optics are cheaper, practically unaffected by moisture and corrosion, and most importantly, they are insensitive to electrical interference. After all, it is no secret that during a thunderstorm, electric pickups in cable network can damage not only the provider's equipment, but also computers in the whole house.

Fiber optic cable resists electrical interference, does not corrode and has enormous bandwidth

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

The ZTE-F660 router is installed by the MGTS provider

Video: what types of routers exist

How to choose the right router for home, office or travel

Before buying a router, you should outline the scope of its application. This will avoid extra costs and situations where the device cannot solve problems due to its low performance.

Home router

When choosing a router for an apartment in a multi-storey building, there are a few things to consider. Many other routers work in the apartment building, because the neighbors also have the Internet. To minimize the influence of other devices on your router's signal, you should choose a device with sufficient internal antennas. They will provide coverage inside the apartment without receiving signals from other people's routers. The ideal option would be to purchase a 5 GHz router. Such a signal fades out faster, and the standard provides for more free channels than the 2.4 GHz standard. The lack of external antennas will make the router less vulnerable when interacting with children and pets.

720th TP-LINK has a small size and good performance

Office router

For a router in the office, the performance and power of the wireless interface are paramount. It will also be useful to have USB ports for sharing the printer. To keep the wireless connection stable and not drop the speed, choose tri-band models equipped with high gain antennas.

ASUS RT-N66U Router Provides Stable Wireless Connectivity Anywhere in Your Office

Travel Router

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

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

5 GHz routers and their advantage over 2.4 GHz routers

Squeezing out of a 2.4 GHz 300 Mbps router if it is operated in an apartment building or office building with a lot of wireless equipment is an almost impossible task. Routers interfere with each other's work, the data transfer rate drops by 2 and 4 times (from the theoretically possible).

The electronics industry has proposed a way out in the form of a new data transmission standard 802.11 AC. Equipment of this standard operates at a higher (twice) frequency - 5 GHz. This provides more channels for the router to send and receive data. At 5 GHz, routers can work simultaneously without interfering with each other.

Increasing the broadcast frequency causes the signal to decay faster and pass through walls worse. Such a signal freely spreads over the area of ​​your apartment / office, but does not reach the neighbor's "possessions" anymore.

Before buying an 802.11 AC router, be sure to make sure that all your other 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 benefits will remain only on paper in the advertising brochure.

Popular Wi-Fi router manufacturers and reviews

The three largest manufacturers of home routers include Asus, Zyxel, TP-Link. Each manufacturer has a device for every taste and wallet, and even the younger models will be equipped with branded "chips" that make the brand recognizable.

Zyxel

The company has been producing communication and networking equipment for decades. During the 90s, Zyxel was renowned for its excellent performance and uncompromising quality of work. telephone lines... At the moment, the company is not giving up its positions.

V lineup the company has ADSL routers, repeaters, access points, managed switches. But we are especially proud of the Keenetic series wireless routers.

For inexperienced users with low requirements, Keenetic Start routers are available - single-band routers with a maximum wireless network speed of 150 Mbps. The number of wired ports is 4 or 2 (depending on the generation of the router). The use of a processor with low speed characteristics has a pleasant side effect - the router practically does not heat up during operation, therefore it can be safely operated in hot summers or in rooms with harsh climatic conditions.

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

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

Keenetic II provides high-speed Internet and allows you to share network storage, printers and scanners

The premium segment is represented by a powerful Keenetic router Giga. The dual-band, four-antenna router is capable of reaching wireless speeds up to 900 Mbps and connecting computers over twisted pair cables at 1 Gbps. A high-performance dual-core processor and 128 MB of RAM allow you to simultaneously serve a large number of connected users without sacrificing speed.

Keenetic Giga allows you to simultaneously serve a large number of connected users without slowing down

Wi-Fi router Zyxel Keenetic - great idea and software, but nasty hardware. ADVANTAGES: programmers and firmware, website and technical support, unmatched capabilities of the Kinetic series router. DISADVANTAGES: IRON. Where do you buy such nasty microcircuits? After a little over a week, the Wi-Fi module died (my netbook sees the ZyXEL access point, but cannot get the IP address from Kinetics). With another router, everything is fine, the netbook is 100% functional. Reset, flashing and all sorts of Wi-Fi settings did not help. True, the rest in the router (via a twisted pair cable) works like a clock, but I took it all the same and handed it over to the guarantee (despite the fact that it had not passed another 2 weeks, the "Svyaznoy" refused to return the money). I think it's just an annoying iron marriage. Everything is good at ZyXEL: programmers and firmware, website and technical support, unmatched capabilities of the Kinetic series router ... BUT IRON. Where do you buy such nasty microcircuits? Sad to the tip of the tail! Now wait a month for a replacement ...

http://otzovik.com/review_296931.html

Wi-Fi router Zyxel Keenetic Giga III is a productive router with IEEE 802.11ac support. ADVANTAGES: efficient, reliable, simple and convenient settings, wide functionality, powerful signal. DISADVANTAGES: prohibitive price. The Zyxel Keenetic Giga III router has a lot functionality... And what is even more pleasant, it is not necessary to load the device with unused funds. The firmware is modular, that is, after enabling the desired feature, its support is loaded and control settings appear. Comfortable. All three buttons can be programmed to your liking. More than covers all my needs (dual band, port forwarding, DMZ, strong signal, MAC address filtering, FTP, DLNA, USB3 for external HDD). About the bad - the price bites, but I got it practically for free (I accumulated bonuses from a network retailer).

https://otzovik.com/review_3077684.html

ASUS

ASUS Corporation produces a wide range of electronic and computer equipment. And although routers are not at the top of this list, there are decent models in the line of routers that are not inferior or even surpass competitors' products in some way. True, this applies to most of the premium segment models.

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

ASUS RT-N12 features a second antenna that provides wireless speeds up to 300 Mbps

The classic representative of the middle segment can be called ASUS router RT-N14U. A router with an attractive design. Fits perfectly into the interior of the apartment and office. Two internal antennas allow you to develop wireless speeds up to 300 Mbps, and a USB 2.0 port allows you to connect external hard drives, printers and 3G modems. The built-in AsusWRT software is unified with the older line of routers and allows you to flexibly configure the router to suit your needs. Among the shortcomings, one can note increased power consumption (a 12 V power supply with a current of 1.5 A is used) and strong heat dissipation. When installing the router, find a place for it away from direct sunlight and with air flow, otherwise interruptions in operation may occur.

ASUS RT-N14U has a nice design and good performance

ASUS premium-class devices are at the peak of progress: a large amount of RAM, 4 antennas for two bands and an active cooling system allow such routers to work 24 hours a day for months, providing an office with the Internet and a medium-sized local network. Such devices will also be useful at home for inveterate gamers, web developers, coders and all those who need a fast and stable Internet channel. Users who want to buy a top-end router and save some money should take a closer look at ASUS RT-N66U. Despite its venerable age by modern standards, this three-antenna dual-band unit can now satisfy 99% of the needs of a sophisticated Internet user.

https://otzovik.com/review_1985797.html

Wi-Fi router Asus RT-N66U is a high speed home network router. ADVANTAGES: brand, quality, power, signal strength, good software, many additional features. DISADVANTAGES: price, case heating. This is the second router that appeared at my house to replace the broken one, also from 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 in repairing, it would be better to take a high-speed one. So we stopped based on the reviews on the Asus RT-N66U router. The Internet really flew, almost half a year. And the router is pretty sophisticated in many ways. How one day the Internet began to cut off. I began to look for the reason in the provider, they like to turn off the Internet with us. But this time the reason was in the router. We tested the router from both sides together with the network adjuster and it turned out that the Internet slows down the router. He turned it on for two seconds and cut it off. Fortunately, we had a guarantee, we took the router for repair. I don’t know what happened to him, but they returned me a completely new sealed router, which I am glad. It's better than getting it fixed. I hope that the new Asus RT-N66U router will serve me for more than six months 🙂

Koala2014

https://otzovik.com/review_1374681.html

TP-LINK

TP-LINK, entering the market of the former CIS countries, set itself the task of offering customers routers at a price lower than competitors, but with similar technical characteristics... This was partly successful, especially in the budget segment, where the user counts every ruble. In the niche of the mid-price category, the gap is no longer so obvious, and some functions have been added, rather, for a show. An example is the TL-WR842N router. It is equipped with a USB port, but the stock software only allows you to connect a printer to it. Nevertheless, TP-LINK routers are reliable and unpretentious. It is not for nothing that Internet providers buy thousands of them for their customers to install.

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

TL-WR741N is bought not only for home, but also for small offices

In the middle price category includes routers of the eighth and ninth series (841N, 842N, 941N, 942N). All devices are dual band. The eighth series is equipped with two antennas (access speed up to 300 Mbit / s), and the ninth - three (its speed is one and a half times higher). The best model in the segment is the TL-WR942N router. The increased amount of RAM and advanced software allow flexible use of the built-in USB port both for network storage and for creating a backup Internet channel in conjunction 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 Gbps) and allow you to work with 2.4 and 5 GHz wireless networks, as well as create a backup channel using a 3G modem. Depending on the model, routers can be equipped with three, four or even six high-performance antennas, which will allow the wireless network to work stably even in the cluttered air of an office center or an apartment building. And the use of energy-efficient processors from Mediatek as the "heart" of the router allows the router to stay cold even in hot summer, working steadily and without interruptions.

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

Wi-Fi router TP-Link Archer C1200 - reliable Internet access and more. ADVANTAGES: reliable operation, versatility, renewability, price. DISADVANTAGES: insignificant when working at a frequency of 5 GHz. A router is a very important home device; Internet access required by all home devices depends on its performance. If the router does not work or malfunctions, then every member of your family will notice. Therefore, the choice of a router must be approached as carefully and carefully as possible. The device should be reliable, functional and as inexpensive as possible. Many of the features of professional home routers are unnecessary and negatively impact the price. We have been adherents of D-Link technology for many years, but with high functionality and its inherent bells and whistles, it is very sensitive to comfortable working conditions. Previous D-Link router in winter, when the central heating was on, it very often went into a reboot, so it was decided to change the router together with the replacement of the stationary computer. And this time they chose another company TP-Link, and for more than two months of daily work, he showed himself perfectly. It did not restart even once, even after replacing the computer with a more powerful one, respectively, and warming itself also more intensively. The TP-Link Archer C1200 router itself also has an uncritical warm temperature of the case, which does not cause performance problems in the sense of freezing and leaving for an unauthorized reboot. What was especially lacking in the previous D-Link router were the power on and off buttons. I had to pull out the power connector when hanging, but this is wrong. There is a special convenient button here, but restarts on this reliable equipment are not needed. And if you do this for some reason, then on a normally working device it is better to do it through the program. The router provides good DDNS support. When changing the dynamic IP-address, it is always possible to contact, find your personal computer or any other device on your home network on the vast expanses of the Internet using a standard Internet link. I often use this to transfer photos from my smartphone to my Mini PC. Intel NUC BOXNUC 7i7BNH. TP-Link Archer provides the ability parental control... It allows you to restrict Internet access to any device on your home network at a specified time and day of the week. For example, you do not want your child to play on the Internet in your absence instead of doing homework on weekdays of your absence, for this we set the parameters of restrictions and sit quietly at work. You can connect a wireless modem in case the wired Internet is suddenly disconnected or not at all. But the manufacturer does not guarantee stable operation with all wireless modems. If you obviously need wireless connection to the Internet, it is better to immediately take another device that is one hundred percent suitable for this type of connection, containing an already built-in modem, which only needs to insert a SIM card. A flash card inserted into a TP-Link C1200 router becomes available for viewing from any home device and serves as a so-called media center. But we don't really need this, because our network has a more advanced device, namely, a D-Link network storage with large capabilities and volumes of stored information. You can connect a printer to the router, which makes it possible to print from any home device, but here you need to separately clarify the compatibility of devices in the list on the manufacturer's website. Support for two bands of the WI-FI network at once 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Of these, more new network 5 GHz and it is good in that its channel is not busy due to the fact that it has not entered into use tightly, few people still use it. However, he is sensitive to obstacles - this is his plus and minus at the same time.

Kirill2013

https://otzovik.com/review_5839613.html

Review: Wi-Fi router TP-Link TL-WR720N - lightweight router - light internet... ADVANTAGES: price, weight, simplicity. DISADVANTAGES: short LAN cable... If you don't want problems with the Internet, buy a router. Now there are so many different models for every taste and wallet. I chose the cheapest one, I confess. In addition, an additional plus for me was the lack of antenna horns for this model. The internal antenna is doing quite well. The box with the router contains almost all the information about the product. Turning it in all directions, you will learn everything about the model. In addition, there is a guide to quickly connect your router and installation disc with the Master quick setup... The Russian language is presented in the manual (as well as on the disc). Quick connection is not a common word in the manual. The whole process took me just a couple of minutes. The step-by-step instructions absolutely do not allow you to collapse anywhere. Here it is, my router, working at all its agility, cheerfully winking with LEDs and shoveling megabits and gigabits of information. Rear connection ports: one WAN port, two LAN ports. Someone may think that it is not enough. I have enough for one laptop (two at the same time do not happen here). A Wi-Fi tablet enjoys. There is also a power socket and a reset button, surprisingly not recessed, but tight. You can't accidentally drop it. The lower part contains only information about the model and hinges for mounting the router on the wall. But hands have not yet reached. Let's summarize. An absolutely chic model of a router for such a price, although it was made in the Middle Kingdom. Fast, lightweight and comfortable. The only drawback is the short LAN cable, but this can be easily fixed by transferring the laptop to Wi-Fi.

Misha_bear

https://otzovik.com/review_388648.html

Connecting and configuring a Wi-Fi router

Thanks to the friendly software for most routers, their configuration is simple and accessible even to an unprepared user. Let's consider connecting a router using the example of TP-LINK devices:

1. Configure your computer's network card to automatically obtain a network address and DNS addresses... The easiest way to do this is to enter in “ Command line"The command" netsh interface ip set address "Local Area Connection" dhcp ".
2. Connect the provider's cable to the socket marked WAN or Internet, and a laptop or computer using a patch-cord cable to any free connector marked LAN.

   For the initial setup, the provider's cable must be inserted into the slot marked WAN or Internet, and the PC / laptop must be connected to the connector marked LAN

3. After entering 192.168.1.1 in the address bar of your browser, open the router's web interface. Select "Quick Setup" from the list of sections on the left side of the window. On the first screen, just click the Next button.

   The Quick Setup Wizard will be the best connection option for the inexperienced user

4. On the next screen, select the country, city, ISP and WAN connection type from the drop-down lists. If your provider is not in the list, check the box "I did not find suitable settings" and click the "Next" button.

   The type of connection to the provider can be selected from the list

5. Enter the username and password from the contract with the Internet provider. If your tariff plan includes the service digital television, select in addition the type of secondary connection: static address or dynamic. Press "Next".

   Login and password for Internet access can be found in the agreement with your provider

6. If your ISP provides a connection with a binding by the MAC address of the network card, clone the address of the computer's network card into the WAN interface of the router.

   Be sure to clone the MAC address if your ISP requires it

7. 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 your mobile service provider and fill in all the fields in the dialog box.

   Mark the ranges in which the router will be allowed to work

8. Enter your wireless network name and password, then click Next. If the router is dual-band, a similar settings window for the 5 GHz band will open.
9. Within two to three minutes, the router will apply the settings, connect to the provider's channel and be ready to work.

Video: how to set up a TP-LINK router

The correct formulation of the question contains 90% of the answer. Having found out in advance the requirements of the Internet provider for client equipment, having determined where the router will work and which devices will connect to it, you can choose a router with balanced characteristics without spending a lot of money and providing your home network stable and smooth operation.